Author
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Chellemi, Daniel |
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MIRUSSO, JOHN - MIRUSSO FUMIGATION |
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Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2004 Publication Date: 7/4/2004 Citation: Chellemi, D. O., Mirusso, J. 2003. An apparatus to inject soil fumigants under raised, plastic-mulched beds. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 20:585-589. Interpretive Summary: Pre-plant soil fumigation is a critical component of high value crop production systems, including fresh market tomato and pepper. Methyl bromide has been the primary fumigant since the 1970's but has been implicated as an ozone depleting compound and a mandatory phase-out of its production and importation into the United States has been mandated. Several studies have identified mixtures of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin (1,3-D + Pic) as the best alternative fumigants to methyl bromide, however concerns over worker exposure to air emissions and a California Proposition 65 listing as a carcinogen have led to restrictions requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by workers present in the field during application of 1,3-D + Pic. To mitigate human exposure, application technology is needed that separates ground preparation/plastic laying operations from the application of fumigants. The objective of this research was to design, fabricate and test an apparatus to inject soil fumigants under existing raised, plastic-mulched beds. This will enhance the potential of 1,3-D + Pic as a replacement for methyl bromide and allow for fumigation of established beds for successive crops. To improve fumigant retention in the soil, the apparatus will be evaluated under beds covered by polyethylene plastic and virtually impermeable films (VIF). Two opposing armature systems mounted to a tractor tool bar at a 15o angle were used to deliver fumigants to the center of plastic mulched beds. When the plastic mulch was a virtually impermeable film, uniform concentrations of a fumigant mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin were obtained across the beds. The Under Bed Fumigator mitigates worker exposure to fumigants by separating land preparation activities from fumigant applications and provides growers without access to drip irrigation the opportunity to disinfest soil prior to the planting of a second (double) crop in existing mulched beds. Effective control of soilborne pests was obtained when the Under Bed Fumigator was used to fumigate previously established beds prior to the planting of a cucumber double crop. Technical Abstract: A system, referred to as the Under Bed Fumigator, was designed, fabricated and tested for injecting soil fumigants underneath raised planting beds covered by plastic mulch without disturbing the integrity of the beds. Two opposing armature systems mounted to a tractor tool bar at a 15o angle were used to deliver fumigants to the center of plastic mulched beds. When the plastic mulch was a virtually impermeable film, uniform concentrations of a fumigant mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin were obtained across the beds. The Under Bed Fumigator mitigates worker exposure to fumigants by separating land preparation activities from fumigant applications and provides growers without access to drip irrigation the opportunity to disinfest soil prior to the planting of a second (double) crop in existing mulched beds. Effective control of soilborne pests was obtained when the Under Bed Fumigator was used to fumigate previously established beds prior to the planting of a cucumber double crop. |
