Submitted to: Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 1, 1999
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract:
Methyl Bromide is used as a preplant soil fumigant for nearly all commercial strawberry production in California. MeBr will no longer be available after 2005. Past research has shown that soil fumigants 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) in combination with chloropicrin (Telone C35 ) and chloropicrin alone are potential alternatives to MeBr for strawberry production. Metham Sodium (Vapam ) which gives off the fumigant MITC, has also been tested for efficacy on strawberries. Atmospheric emissions is a major concern for all of these volatile chemicals. Emulsified formulations of Telone C35 and chloropicrin can be applied with irrigation water through the drip irrigation systems that are used to irrigate strawberries. This would reduce application costs and may reduce hazzards associated with emissions. Metham sodium is soluble and can also be applied through the drip system. The Water Management Research Laboratory is carrying out field studies to determine application procedures to maximize efficacy and minimize human and environmental risk associated with drip application of these materials. Two years of strawberry field testS have been carried out at two coastal California sites to determine efficacy. In three of the four cases, drip-applied Telone C35 was be able to produce yields comparable to MeBr/Chloropicrin, while drip-applied Vapam tended to produce lower yields than Telone C35. Fresh market yields with no fumigation varied from 28 to 98% of the MeBr standard.
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