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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2014 Publication Date: 9/4/2014 Citation: Gao, S. 2014. Use of soil fumigants and air quality issues in California, USA. Meeting Abstract. in Proceeding of International Workshop on Farmland Environment Quality and Green Agriculture Production, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, September 3-4, 2014, Beijing, China. pp. s-1. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Many high value cash crops use soil fumigants for profitable production.The primary fumigants used in California are 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone®), chloropicrin, metam salts (sodium or potassium), and methyl bromide. Most of these toxic chemicals and their formulations are volatile compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, an air pollutant. Fumigants are volatile and subject to significant amounts of emissions from soil applications. Regulations are in place to control exposure risks and emission losses. More stringent regulations are likely to be developed, and alternative ways for control of soil-borne pest are continuously being sought. Among the emission control methods, low permeability tarps (LPT) are the most effective and have the advantage of improved efficacy, but they are expensive and not practical for some commodities. Field research data are collected to assist in development of regulations towards efficient and safe use of LPT. The LPT offers the possibility to use lower fumigant rates than currently used under standard plastic tarp or common practices for annual crops. For perennials, however, control of nematodes in deep soil layers continues to be a challenge. With the increased awareness of the detrimental impact of fumigants on the environment, research focuses on using less fumigant for high efficiency and other non-chemical treatment methods for soil-borne pest control. |
