Author
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Trout, Thomas |
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Submitted to: International Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 11/3/2003 Publication Date: 11/3/2003 Citation: TROUT, T.J. FUMIGANT USE IN CALIFORNIA. 2003. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES AND EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. 2003 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, November 3-6, 2003, pp 110-1 - 110-5. Interpretive Summary: The Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) requirements in California result in a database, maintained by CA Department of Pesticide Regulation, that allows relatively accurate estimation of fumigant use in the state. With this data, we can determine what alternative fumigants growers use for various crops as methyl bromide is phased out. Use of MeBr has declined gradually since 1991. Use has declined dramatically in response to dramatically increased prices that resulted from regulatory limitations in supplies and from increased state restrictions on applications. In 2001, use was about 35% of the baseline for California, substantially below the 50% phase out level. About 93% of the MeBr use in California was for preplant soil fumigation, 3% for structural fumigation, and 3% for post-harvest commodity fumigation (1% uncategorized). Since Telone was re-introduced in 1994, use of this product has increased dramatically for certain crops. In 2001, it was used on 2 ½ times as many orchards and vineyards, and 5 times as many acres of vegetable crops as methyl bromide. Use of metam sodium increased dramatically from 1991 through 1995 and it's total use for soil fumigation has surpassed MeBr in since 1999 and it was applied to twice the number of acres as MeBr and Telone combined in 2001. Total fumigant use in California has declined about 50% since 1999. Growers of high-value nematode sensitive crops are adopting Telone as an alternative, while metam sodium is used on lower-valued crops. Technical Abstract: The Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) requirements in California result in a database, maintained by CA Department of Pesticide Regulation, that allows relatively accurate estimation of fumigant use in the state. With this data, we can determine what alternative fumigants growers use for various crops as methyl bromide is phased out. Use of MeBr has declined gradually since 1991. Use has declined dramatically in response to dramatically increased prices that resulted from regulatory limitations in supplies and from increased state restrictions on applications. In 2001, use was about 35% of the baseline for California, substantially below the 50% phase out level. About 93% of the MeBr use in California was for preplant soil fumigation, 3% for structural fumigation, and 3% for post-harvest commodity fumigation (1% uncategorized). Since Telone was re-introduced in 1994, use of this product has increased dramatically for certain crops. In 2001, it was used on 2 ½ times as many orchards and vineyards, and 5 times as many acres of vegetable crops as methyl bromide. Use of metam sodium increased dramatically from 1991 through 1995 and it's total use for soil fumigation has surpassed MeBr in since 1999 and it was applied to twice the number of acres as MeBr and Telone combined in 2001. Total fumigant use in California has declined about 50% since 1999. Growers of high-value nematode sensitive crops are adopting Telone as an alternative, while metam sodium is used on lower-valued crops. |
