The standard recommendation of 50 g/m² of methyl bromide was compared with the alternative treatments of 65% 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) plus 35% chloropicrin and combinations of metham-sodium and ethylene dibromide (EDB). 1,3-D and chloropicrin are both old chemicals which were tested and used in Zimbabwe as soil fumigants. However, the mixture had not been tested for its efficacy in nematode and weed control and its effect on tobacco seedling germination and growth. Work on metham-sodium was suspended in the late 1980s because methyl bromide was readily available and provided good control of nematodes, weeds and soil-borne disease. However, with the imminent withdrawal of methyl bromide, it has become necessary to revisit work on this chemical. No weed control was obtained when 1,3-D was applied on its own. 1,3-D plus chloropicrin at the rates of 53.3 ml/m² and 36.9 ml/m²of the mixture provided acceptable control of broadleafed weeds and grasses. All treatments gave good control of rootknot nematodes. Metham-sodium at 35 ml/m² gave adequate weed control and good tobacco seedling germination and growth. Although nematode pressure was low in the experiment site, metham-sodium applied on its own was not able to provide adequate control of rootknot nematodes. When 35 ml/m² metham-sodium was combined with 21 ml/m² of EDB, nematode control comparable to that obtained with methyl bromide was achieved.