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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #103523
Title: ALTERNATIVES FOR METHYL BROMIDE FUMIGATION OF TOBACCO AND TOMATO SEEDBEDS.

Author
item CSINOS, A - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item SUMNER, D - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
item Johnson, Alva
item Dowler, Clyde

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a highly effective soil fumigant used extensively on several minor crops for broad-spectrum control of soilborne diseases, nematodes, weeds, and soil insects. This compound has been determined to be an ozone depleter and will be banned for use in the United States by 2005. Previous research demonstrated that the application of metam sodium (MS) and 1,3-dichloropropene + 17% chloropicrin (1,3-D, C-17) under plasti film compares well with MeBr soil fumigation. Our objective was to evaluate the use of these alternative fumigants for control of soil pests in the southeastern Coastal Plain under varied rates and methods of application. As the length of fumigation and aeration time increased, stand counts and vigor ratings for tomato and tobacco increased. Generally, the combination of 1,3-D, C-17 at 10 gal./A plus MS at 37 gal./A soil injected and applied with a sprayer rototiller, respectively, compared dwell with MeBr at 580 lbs./A for reduction of soilborne fungi, reduction i viability of Rhizoctonia solani on oats, Phytopthora parasitica var. nicotianae on toothpick cultures, plant stands, vigor heights, and control for several species of weeds. In 20 of the 26 parameters measured, the combination of 1,3-D, C-17 plus MS was not significantly different from MeBr.