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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118970
Title: STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION WITH METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES: A FARMER'S PERSPECTIVE

Author
item MARTINEZ, CECIL - STRAWBERRY FARMER
item FENNIMORE, STEVE - EXTENSION SPECIALIST
item Ajwa, Husein

Submitted to: Proceedings of Methyl Bromide Alternatives Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Individual methyl bromide alternative fumigants reportedly provide less consistent yield and weed control than methyl bromide. To evaluate the yield and weed control efficacy of eight methyl bromide alternative treatments, a study was initiated. Treatments evaluated were methyl bromide + chloropicrin (250 lbs/A of 67:33) shank applied to the bed, chloropicrin at 600 lb/A shank applied to the bed, chloropicrin at 600 lb/A shank applied to the bed followed by drip- applied metam sodium (MS) at 50 gal/A, drip-applied chloropicrin EC at 24 gal/A, drip-applied chloropicrin EC at 24 gal/A followed by drip- applied MS at 50 gal/A, drip-applied Inline at 35 gal/A, drip-applied Inline at 35 gal/A followed by drip-applied MS at 50 gal/A, shank- applied Telone C35 at 350 lb/A and shank-applied Telone C35 at 350 lb/A followed by drip-applied MS at 50 gal/A. These treatments were applied as preplant soil fumigants under sealed tarps. Nonreplicated plot sizes ranged from 0.06 to 0.26 acres. Chloropicrin + MS and chloropicrin alone yielded 85% and 90% for the standard methyl bromide + chloropicrin treatment respectively. Telone C35 + MS and chloropicrin EC + MS yielded 100% and 102% of the standard methyl bromide + chloropicrin treatment respectively. Inline, Telone C35, chloropicrin EC and Inline + MS yielded 119%, 122% and 126% of the standard methyl bromide + chloropicrin treatment respectively. Drip- applied chloropicrin EC at 24 gal/A provided better weed control, and reduced weeding costs compared to shank-applied chloropicrin at 600 lb/A. Drip applied Inline at 35 gal/A provided better weed control and lower weeding costs than shank-applied Telone C35 at 350 lb/A.