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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #248720
Title: Properties of Soil Fumigants and Their Fate in the Environment

Author
item AJWA, HUSEIN - University Of California
item NOW, WILLIAM - University Of California
item QIN, RUIJUN - University Of California
item Gao, Suduan

Submitted to: Hayes' Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2010
Publication Date: 5/30/2010
Citation: Ajwa, H, W.J. Ntow, R. Qin, and S. Gao. 2010. Chapter 9. Properties of soil fumigants and their fate in the environment. p. 315–330. In Robert Krieger (ed.) Hayes’ Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology. Elsevier Inc.

Interpretive Summary: Soil fumigation continues to be critical to sustain agricultural production as the world’s population grows. Increased public awareness of environmental issues on fumigants has lead to more stringent regulations towards the use of these volatile compounds. Minimal release through emissions into the environment can help maintain practical use of these fumigants in agriculture. This book chapter reviews properties of soil fumigants and their fate in the environment. Management strategies for enhancing the benefits of fumigation to control soil-borne disease and reducing negative environmental impact are presented. The information is useful for commodities relying on soil fumigants, regulatory agencies or policy makers, and scientific communities.

Technical Abstract: Soil fumigants are pesticides that, when injected or incorporated into soil, form a gas that permeates the soil and kills a wide array of soil-borne pests including nematodes, pathogens and weeds. Pre-plant soil fumigation is an important agricultural practice for production of many important food crops. However, fumigants are volatile and toxic compounds that warrant exceptional safeguards to minimize environmental pollution and to ensure safety through improved application technology. This chapter summarizes knowledge on the chemical behavior and environmental fate of currently used soil fumigants. Environmental issues and strategies for minimizing the negative impacts while providing the benefits from soil fumigation are presented. The phase-out of methyl bromide has resulted in increasing use of a few alternatives. Stringent environmental regulations targeting emission control largely affect the use of these fumigants. It is important to consider technologies that require minimal chemical input while ensuring adequate efficacy from soil fumigation.