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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #181975
Title: REDUCED RATES OF METHYL BROMIDE AND C35 UNDER LDPE AND VIF FOR CONTROL OF SOIL PESTS AND PATHOGENS

Author
item HAMILL, J. E. - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item DICKSON, D. W. - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item T-OU, L. - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item ALLEN, L. H. - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item Burelle, Nancy

Submitted to: Proceedings of International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2004
Publication Date: 8/1/2004
Citation: Hamill, J.E., Dickson, D.W., Ou, L.T., Allen, L.H., Burell, N.K., Mendes, M.L. 2004. Reduced rates of methyl bromide and C35 under LDPE and VIF for control of soil pests and pathogens. Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction. 2.1-2.5.

Interpretive Summary: Methyl bromide has been identified as an ozone-depleting substance, and was scheduled by the Montreal Protocol to be phased out in 2005. Critical use exemptions (CUE) have provided for the continued use of methyl bromide through 2007. The use of virtually impermeable films (VIF) coupled with lower rates of methyl bromide may serve to lower methyl bromide emissions from the soil while maintaining the same efficacy on soilborne pests and pathogens. This combination of technology may also serve to reduce or eliminate emissions of methyl bromide from the mulched beds. Telone C35 was also examined under the same conditions to provide an alternative to growers that have less of a nutsedge problem and are interested in nematode and soilborne pathogen contol. During the spring of 2004 experiments were performed to test the efficacy of reduced rates of methyl bromide and Telone C35 in conjunction with VIF technology on tomato production.

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide has been identified as an ozone-depleting substance, and scheduled by the Montreal Protocol to be phased out in 2005, but critical use exemptions provide for continued use through 2007. Lower production levels have driven up the costs of methyl bromide during the past few years. The use of virtually impermeable films (VIF) technology coupled with lower rates of methyl bromide may serve to lower methyl bromide emissions from the soil, maintaining the same efficacy on soilborne pests and pathogens, as well as to reduce or eliminate emissions of methyl bromide from the mulched beds thereby allowing for its continued use by critical use exemptions. Telone C35 should be examined under the same system to provide an alternative to growers that have less of a nutsedge problem and are only interested in nematode and soilborne pathogen contol. During the spring of 2004 we initiated experiments designed to test the efficacy of reduced rates of methyl bromide and Telone C35 in conjunction with VIF technology on tomato production.