Management of volunteer potato is difficult and requires an integrated approach. Soil fumigation is one tactic known to reduce population densities of certain weeds and may be a method to improve the management of volunteer potato. The effect of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and metham sodium on potato tuber viability was tested in sealed glass jars at various doses, incubation temperatures, and times of exposure. Tuber viability data were fitted to a logistic model, and I₉₀ doses (90% suppression) were calculated for each combination of temperature and time of exposure. I₉₀ doses for 1,3-D ranged from 41 to 151 kg/ha and from 96 to over 480 kg/ha metham sodium. Both nondormant and dormant tubers were injured by exposure to metham sodium. Soil fumigation with 1,3-D and metham sodium has the potential to greatly reduce the number of viable potato tubers.

Nomenclature: 1,3-dichloropropene; metham sodium; potato, Solanum tuberosum L. ‘Russet Burbank’.

Additional index word: Groundkeeper.

Abbreviations: 1,3-D, 1,3-dichloropropene; MITC, methyl isothiocyanate.