Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #64549
Title: SIMULATING EFFECTS OF INJECTION DEPTH AND SURFACE POROSITY CONTROL ON METHYL BROMIDE EMISSION

Author
item Wang, Dong
item Yates, Scott
item GAN, J - U C RIVERSIDE
item ERNST, F - U C RIVERSIDE

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide is a very effective agricultural fumigant for controlling nematodes and fungi in many vegetable and fruit crops. However, in conventional fumigation practices, as much as 50% of the applied methyl bromide will be emitted into the atmosphere. This would not only result in economic losses for the farmers but also poses a problem for workers due to the high toxicity of methyl bromide. Another major environmental problem is that methyl bromide can contribute to the depletion of stratospheric ozone. To provide guidelines for modifying fumigation practices in order to reduce methyl bromide emission, we adopted a two- dimensional solute transport model to simulate the dynamics of methyl bromide redistribution in the soil and its emission into the atmosphere. Simulated scenarios included combinations of two injection depths (25 and 60 cm) and three surface porosity control methods (bare, tarp, irrigation). The simulation compared well with field and laboratory observations. The simulation also indicated that a combination of deep injection with tarp cover and irrigation would have the least emission.