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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 #175966
Title: TRANSITION FROM METHYL BROMIDE USE ON COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE FARMS

Author
item Chellemi, Daniel
item MIRUSSO, J. - MIRUSSO ENTERPRISES
item NANCE, J. - DOW AGROSCIENCES

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/9/2004
Publication Date: 11/1/2004
Citation: Chellemi, D.O., Mirusso, J., Nance, J. 2004. Transition from methyl bromide use on commercial vegetable farms. Phytopathology. 94:S16.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Alternatives to methyl bromide were monitored on six commercial farms in southeastern Florida. Broadcast application of a mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin using a deep placement coulter system with a subsequent application of the herbicides napropamide and trifluralin and a final application of chloropicrin in the planting bed resulted in levels of soilborne diseases similar to adjacent areas fumigated with a mixture of methyl bromide and chloropicrin. Yield of fresh market pepper in areas treated with the alternative program ranged from 12% below to 18% above yields in adjacent methyl bromide treated areas. Yield of fresh market tomato ranged from 9% below to 10% above yields with methyl bromide. After three consecutive years of use on a pepper farm, disease incidence remained similar to levels in adjacent methyl bromide treated areas and a 15% increase in yield was documented. After four consecutive years of use on a tomato farm, disease incidence also remained at a level similar to adjacent methyl bromide treated areas and a 10% increase in yield was observed. The results demonstrate that a technically feasible alternative to methyl bromide is available for fresh market tomato and pepper production in Florida.