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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404879
Research Project: Developing Resilient Irrigated Cropping Systems in Concentrated Dairy Production Areas of the Semi-arid West

Location: Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research

Title: Bromide concentrations in agronomic crops following methyl bromide fumigation in southeastern Idaho

Author
item Rogers, Christopher
item CURL, CYNTHIA - Boise State University
item MARSHALL, JULIET - University Of Idaho
item MOLL, MARGARET - University Of Idaho

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2023
Publication Date: 11/22/2023
Citation: Rogers, C.W., Curl, C., Marshall, J., Moll, M. 2023. Bromide concentrations in agronomic crops following methyl bromide fumigation in southeastern Idaho. Journal of Environmental Quality. 53(1):47-56. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20529.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20529

Interpretive Summary: Methyl bromide is a restricted fumigant due to its detrimental atmospheric effects that is used to sterilize fields to control quarantine pests. Crop bromide concentrations from background (non-MeBr treated fields) were nearly all lower than those found in fields treated with MeBr. Bromide concentrations were greater in vegetative tissues as compared to reproductive tissues of the plant samples in both background and in fields treated with MeBr. Bromide concentrations in alfalfa decreased over time where baled alfalfa concentrations were greater within a cutting than green alfalfa. Corn bromide concentrations in the vegetative tissue (stover) were lower compared to barley and wheat straw. Corn in the region is largely used for silage, and while the corn ear concentrations were greater than barley or wheat seed, the whole plant concentrations would be lower. Crop selection following MeBr applications should consider the likelihood of elevated Bromide (Br-) concentration for the plant fraction based on intended end-use.

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a fumigant used to sterilize fields to control quarantine pests that are restricted due to its detrimental atmospheric effects. Bromide (Br-) is generally found in small amounts. Degradation of injected MeBr produces crop available Br-. Up to four applications of MeBr were used southeastern Idaho fields to combat the pale cyst nematode. Information regarding uptake and partitioning of Br- following MeBr application in agronomic crops in the region was unavailable. Research determined background concentrations of Br- in alfalfa (Medicago sativa, L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.), corn (Zea mays, L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum, L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) compared to MeBr-treated fields. Br- concentrations were log transformed. Study background Br- concentrations ranged from nondetectable (ND) to 33 mg Br- kg-1; vegetative tissue concentrations were greater than reproductive. Nearly all crops grown in MeBr-treated fields had greater Br- concentrations than background. Background alfalfa Br- concentration was 33 mg kg-1 in baled tissue compared to 118 mg Br- kg-1 from a MeBr-treated field. Br- concentration in green alfalfa decreased from 80 to 36 mg Br- kg-1 at the final cutting in a MeBr-treated field, where time after application has been shown to decrease crop Br- concentrations. Small grains had low Br- concentrations in reproductive tissue compared to vegetative, and corn stover (13 mg Br- kg-1) was low relative to small-grain straw (107 mg Br- kg-1) in the MeBr-treated field. Crop selection following MeBr applications should consider the likelihood of elevated Br- concentration for the plant fractions intended end-use.