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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238452
Title: Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Raspberry Nursery

Author
item PARTICKA, MICHAEL - Washington State University
item WALTERS, THOMAS - Washington State University
item Pinkerton, John
item Zasada, Inga

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Raspberry nurseries use preplant soil fumigation with Methyl Bromide:chloropicrin (MB:pic) to produce disease- and nematode-free plants. The use of Methyl Bromide has been largely phased out, and exemptions for continued use are becoming more difficult to obtain. Successful alternatives to MB:pic must provide full control of plant-parasitic nematodes, Agrobacterium tumefasciens, and Phytophthora rubi. In trials conducted over two years MB:pic and alternative fumigants were evaluated, including: Midas® (Methyl Iodide:cloropicrin), Telone® C-35 and InLine® (Telone:cloropicrin), solarization and a solarization + Inline® combination. Midas® applied at 350 lb/A under a conventional (HDPE) tarp consistently provided excellent control of all weeds and pathogens. Reduced (175 lb/A) rates of Midas® were less effective than full rates. Use of a Virtually Impermeable Film (VIF) tarp enhanced the efficacy of Midas® applied at the reduced rate, and also enhanced efficacy of Telone® C-35. All of the treatments except for solarization controlled root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans), and all of the treatments evaluated enhanced marketable yield of nursery plants.