Methods of applying a fumigant to reduce fusarium contamination

A method of reducing viable Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) in soil in which Musa plants will be grown, the method comprising:

• introducing an Foc TR4 inhibiting effective amount of composition comprising methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) or a compound that produces MITC as a degradate at least 40 cm below the surface of soil,
• allowing the composition to convert to MITC;
• and
• allowing the MITC to reduce viable Foc TR4 propagule count in the soil by at least 15% compared to the viable Foc TR4 propagule count in the soil before treatment.

A method of growing plants of the genus Musa in a field known or believed to be contaminated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), the method comprising at least two repetitions of a treatment and planting cycle comprising

• introducing to at least 40 cm below the surface of soil in the field an Foc TR4 inhibiting effective amount of a composition comprising methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) or a compound that produces MITC as a degradate (or a functional equivalent or alternative thereof),
• allowing the MITC to reduce viable Foc TR4 propagule count in the soil, to produce treated soil;
• planting plants of the genus Musa into the treated soil;
• growing the plants of the genus Musa for a plurality of years;
• harvesting fruit from at least one of the plants of the genus Musa each of the plurality of years;
• and
• removing the plants of the genus Musa from the field.