Comparing fumigants and bio-inoculants in replant situations

June 2013 | Victoria Fruit Growers | Future Orchards® trial report

This Future Orchards® trial compared fumigation and bio-inoculant approaches in replant soil to identify treatments capable of improving young-tree establishment. Replant disorders can suppress root growth and delay canopy development, making treatment before planting a major economic decision.

The trial compared soil fumigants and biological amendments under Southern Victorian conditions. In APAL’s later review of the Future Orchards trial program, chloropicrin was reported to outperform Basamid as a fumigant, while the addition of the bio-inoculants Plant Mate and Radifarm further improved tree growth.

The result reinforces the importance of treating the soil problem before expecting nutrition or other post-plant inputs to compensate for weak roots. Early canopy development is particularly important in high-density orchards where rapid yield accumulation is needed to recover establishment costs.

This report should be read as a site-specific trial rather than a universal prescription; fumigant use, product registration, soil type and local disease pressure all need to be considered with current professional advice.

APAL’s summary of these trials specifically notes the stronger growth response from chloropicrin than Basamid and further improvement where Plant Mate and Radifarm were added, making this a useful historical comparison of treatment strategies.