Jeyes Fluid and onion beds

[allanwoolley]

A couple of weeks back I posted a message with regards to the use of Jeyes fluid as a means of sterilizing onion beds in order that the same bed may be used year upon year thereby avoiding the need for rotation.   I pointed out that Robinsons Exhibition Seeds had been growing onions in the same bed for 140 years.   Some replies pointed out that the use of Jeyes was now illegal.   I pointed this out to Robinsons and this is their reply:
                 
     "We have indeed used the same bed for 140 years. The standard answer to onion cropping is rotation, however as we have proved providing care is taken it is possible to use the same ground.
Never use Jeyes Fluid on live ground. That is ground that is due to be
planted soon. Always use in the Autumn then the ground has all winter to
clean and the Jeyes can disperse before planting. Jeyes was taken off the
market for a time but is now available. There are other alternatives to
sterilizing ground however these are only available to the professional
grower and are far more toxic than Jeyes. The only veg crop we never grow on the same ground the year after is peas."

[allanwoolley]

[tim]

I find this quite amazing, when onion growers all internationally are losing their best fields to white rot.

I know that a similar  claim is made for Armillatox, but I have yet to achieve any success with it.

If in doubt, better safe than sorry? But thanks for the quote.

[Ceratonia]

Jeyes fluid contains tar acids and the EU legislation introduced a couple of years ago prevents it from being used by amateur growers for 'plant protection' - it's sold as a cleaning product/disinfectant. Armatillox is the same - it also has tar acids as an active ingredient.

So, Robinson's advice not to use it on plants or where plants are about to be grown, probably does put them just about on the right side of the law.

[tim]

Close!

[Curryandchips]

Taking a more distant view, Jeye's Fluid, and other similar products are still rather nasty substances to introduce to an allotment? The problems of white rot and other soil borne problems notwithstanding?

[grawrc]

Is there any research on how long Jeyes fluid (and similar) remains active in the soil and its toxicity vis-a-vis helpful soil organisms?