(a)

1. (1) A new race of the tomato fusarium wilt organism (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp lycopersici race 2) has been found in the pink tomato section of southeast Arkansas.
2. (2) This organism is a serious threat to commercial tomato production anywhere in the state.
3. (3) To prevent the spread of race 2, or other new races which may hereafter develop, the following rules shall apply to all producers of vegetable plants in Bradley and Drew counties, and in every county where race 2 or other new races may subsequently be found.

(b) The movement of tomato plants within or from the above described regulated area is prohibited, except when such plants are produced under inspection of the State Plant Board and in compliance with the following special rules:

1. (1) Soil used in beds, pots, cups, flats, pot-beds, and cold frames for plant production, or to rest containers upon, shall be obtained from areas where tomatoes have not been grown in the past;

2. (2) Soil and/or soil-media mixtures shall be decontaminated by one (1) of the following methods before use in plant production:

   1. (A)

(i) Methyl bromide fumigation (four pounds (4 lbs.) per one hundred cubic feet (100 cu. ft.) of soil for a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours at forty degrees Fahrenheit (40˚ F) or above.

1. (ii) Bulk soil shall be confined on a concrete slab or sheet of polyethylene plastic over the ground surface during fumigation.

   1. (iii) Bulk soil shall be no more than twelve inches (12”) deep to ensure gas penetration.

      1. (iv) Holes shall be punched in the soil at twelve-inch centers to facilitate gas penetration.
      2. (v) Soil in pot-beds, cold frames, and holding areas shall be loosened as deep as practicable to ensure gas penetration.
      3. (vi) Fumigation covers shall be air tight (no holes).
      4. (vii) Special care shall be taken when removing the cover to prevent recontamination with untreated soil.
   2. (B) (B) Heat sterilization shall be acceptable if performed according to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service recommendations (Misc. Publication 64, "Control of Disease and Insect Pests in the Plant Bed"); and
   3. (C) Artificial media (new or unused peat, perlite, vermiculite, etc.) may be used without decontamination if reasonable precautions are taken against contamination with untreated soil (i.e., mixing on sterilized surfaces, etc.);
2. (3) All flats, boxes, pots, cups, tools, etc., which have been used in plant production or which have come in contact with untreated soil must be decontaminated, preferably by methyl bromide fumigation;

3. (4)

   1. (A) Plant house interior surfaces must be decontaminated (all surfaces of benches, timber supports, heating and ventilating equipment, walls, ceilings, floors, etc.).

   2. (B) This shall also apply to surfaces of:

      1. (i) Cold frames;
      2. (ii) Pot-beds; and
      3. (iii) Holding areas.

   3. (C)

      1. (i) An effective decontaminant spray or drench may be prepared with fifty percent (50%) commercial Clorox or with one gallon (1 gal.) commercial formaldehyde to eighteen gallons (18 gals.) water.
      2. (ii) After using either material, ventilate until fumes can no longer be detected before growing plants (a few hours to several days for Clorox, longer for formaldehyde, depending upon conditions);

4. (5)

   1. (A) Direct traffic from tomato fields to plant production areas must not be permitted.

   2. (B) Wash hands with soap and decontaminate shoes with fifty percent (50%) Clorox before entering the:

      1. (i) Plant house;
      2. (ii) Cold frames; or
      3. (iii) Holding areas;

5. (6)

   1. (A) Locally grown seed shall not be planted.
   2. (B) A tag or invoice showing purchase of seed from an established seed firm must accompany application for inspection.

   3. (C)

      1. (i) In cases of dire necessity, locally grown seed may be used if hot water treated (one hundred twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit (122˚ F.) for twenty-five (25) minutes).
      2. (ii) Advance permission must be obtained from Director of Plant Industry Division; and
6. (7) This section shall apply in addition to, and does not replace any other, rules now given in Rules on Plant Diseases and Pests, 2 CAR pt. 50.