ARS | Publication request: Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Vineyard Replant

Submitted to: International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 31, 2007
Publication Date: November 1, 2007
Citation: Wang, D., Gao, S., Gerik, J.S., Hanson, B.D., Smith, C., Klonsky, K., Westerdahl, B., Browne, G.T., Yates, S.R. 2007. Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Vineyard Replant. International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions.

Interpretive Summary: Soil-borne diseases and pathogens, including phylloxera, plant-parasitic nematodes and fungi, are major concerns associated with grape replant. Young vines are prone to these disease pressures and soil fumigation is often needed by the grape growers in central California to control these soil-borne pests. However, use of soil fumigants is highly regulated because fumigant chemicals contribute to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. The objectives of this project were to assess current and new soil fumigation methods for pest control efficacy, fumigant emissions and movement in the soil, and crop responses; and demonstrate a small selected set of alternative techniques in growers’ fields. This is the first year of a three year project, and in this report approaches for the project and current progress are summarized.

Technical Abstract: The project is part of the USDA-ARS Pacific Area-Wide Pest Management Program for Methyl Bromide Alternatives. This is the first year of a three-year project. The research was initiated in summer 2007 with a field study planned for October 2007 at the USDA-ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center located near Parlier, CA. Grape vines were removed from a two-acre field area. Native soil nematode and fungal pathogens will be determined before and at various elapsed times after fumigation. The fumigation study is planned to occur in mid October. Replanting will occur in March 2008. The experiment will be repeated in a nearby field in fall 2008.