Carbendazim formulations for the eradication of Dutch elm disease

Formulations containing carbendazim (40 or 80 mM) in hydrochloric acid (180 or 320 mM) were pressure‐injected into elms previously inoculated with the fungus Ceratocystis ulmi (the cause of Dutch elm disease) and their performance as eradicants assessed. All formulations caused some damage to foliage but leaves regenerated. Treatment with carbendazim (80 mM) in hydrochloric acid (180 mM) resulted in four out of five trees remaining free from disease, not only immediately after treatment, but also throughout the following season. Injection of acid alone resulted in rapid death of the trees.