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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409545
Research Project: Disease Management in Small Fruit and Nursery Crops Based on Knowledge of Pathogen Diversity, Biology, and Environmental Effects

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: A shocking treatment

Author
item MORETTI, MARCELO - Oregon State University
item Zasada, Inga
item Weiland, Gerald - Jerry
item BENEDETTI, TATIANA - Oregon State University
item CRISP, JASON - Lisi Global, Inc

Submitted to: Digger
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2023
Publication Date: 1/2/2024
Citation: Moretti, M.L., Zasada, I.A., Weiland, J.E., Benedetti, T., Crisp, J. 2024. A shocking treatment. Digger. 68(1):33-36.

Interpretive Summary: Methyl bromide is a broad-spectrum pesticide that disinfects soil, and eliminates weeds, soilborne fungi, and nematodes. It is also a potent ozone-depleting substance. Over time, the uses of methyl bromide in agriculture have been phased out. Although limited methyl bromide applications may still occur under certain exemptions, costs and regulatory compliance standards make it a less viable pest control option. Pulse electric field (PEF) employs bursts of high-voltage electricity to inactivate microorganisms. Primarily used in the food industry, we previously showed that this technology also holds promise in agricultural settings for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes and soilborne plant pathogens. PEF technology has improved since our initial tests back in 2020 and the system has recently been adapted for field use. New experiments are under way to determine how well this new technology works against weeds, nematodes, and plant pathogens that are important to the nursery industry.

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide is a broad-spectrum pesticide that disinfects soil, and eliminates weeds, soilborne fungi, and nematodes. It is also a potent ozone-depleting substance. Over time, the uses of methyl bromide in agriculture have been phased out. Although limited methyl bromide applications may still occur under certain exemptions, costs and regulatory compliance standards make it a less viable pest control option. Pulse electric field (PEF) employs bursts of high-voltage electricity to inactivate microorganisms. Primarily used in the food industry, we previously showed that this technology also holds promise in agricultural settings for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes and soilborne plant pathogens. PEF technology has improved since our initial tests back in 2020 and the system has recently been adapted for field use. New experiments are under way to determine how well this new technology works against weeds, nematodes, and plant pathogens that are important to the nursery industry.