Author
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Brodie, Bill |
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Submitted to: Methyl Bromide Newsletter
Publication Type: Government Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Methyl bromide applied at 240 g/m3 for 24 hours under polyethylene is used routinely to disinfect equipment and other items to free them of the golden nematode. The impending phase out of methyl bromide has forced the development of alternative treatments to ensure the integrity of the golden nematode quarantine. High temperature has the greatest potential as an environmentally compatible alternative to methyl bromide for disinfecting items contaminated with the golden nematode. Solar heat, with and without supplemental dry or steam heat, under polyethylene for 28 hours, was tested against the golden nematode. Solar heat alone did not result in consistent nematode mortality. Prewashing equipment prior to heat treatment increased the sensitivity of nematode eggs to high temperatures but not sufficiently to achieve the desired mortality. Lethal temperatures were achieved with supplemental dry heat but nematode mortality was minimal. Nematode mortality with supplemental steam heat equaled that achieved with methyl bromide. |
