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Soil preplant treatment for pest control is important to achieve high quality yields in a wide range of agricultural crops, from strawberries and cut flowers, to fruit and nut tree crops. Preplant soil preparation is also vital to successful nursery operations, from forest trees to sweet potatoes. Methyl bromide (MB) fumigation has been the primary method of achieving this preplant pest control. It has been effective and inexpensive. However, awareness of its damaging effect on the ozone layer and worker safety issues have prompted the phase-out of its use. This situation has stimulated research in alternative methods of preplant pest management.
This project brings together multidisciplinary teams in partnership with commercial growers to develop and demonstrate alternatives to methyl bromide use in key crop systems which are dependent on methyl bromide fumigation. We are conducting large-scale field trials to compare standard treatments with MB to the best available alternatives. These alternatives include substitute fumigants and integrated pest management (IPM) practices. The trials are conducted at field locations representing the diversity of the commercial production systems. Specific objectives include:
- Comprehensive assessments of alternatives to MB in key crop systems and geographical regions. Biological, environmental, and economic data is collected and analyzed from the large-scale trials.
- Identification of key variables affecting the efficacy of MB alternatives and demonstrate management of these variables to optimize performance of the alternatives.
- Assessment of technologies and strategies involving alternatives to MB which reduce emissions.
We invite you to peruse or study the various component projects presented here, participate in our outreach efforts and contact our team members.
Spotlight on Outreachinformation on meetings, field days, etc here, with link to details in Outreach section |
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