Solarization and Chemical Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Preplant Soil Treatment of Strawberries

Abstract

<jats:p>Solarization and chemical alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) soil fumigation for strawberry (<jats:italic>Fragaria</jats:italic> <jats:sub>{<jats:italic>XtimesX</jats:italic>}</jats:sub><jats:italic>ananassa</jats:italic>) were evaluated in a 3-year study in Savannah, Ga. Solarization using clear or black plastic, metam sodium (Sectagon), dazomet (Basamid), 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin (Telone C-35), MeBr, and untreated control treatments were used. Solarization produced maximal soil temperatures of 55 to 60 °C (131 to 140 °F) at the 2.5 cm (1 inch) depth, and 42 to 48 °C (108 to 118 °F) at the 15 cm (6 inch) depth. Clear and black plastic were generally equally effective in heating the soil. A double layer of clear plastic raised soil temperatures 1 to 2 °C (2 to 4 °F) above those under a single layer of clear at the 2.5 cm depth, although this occurred less frequently at the 15 cm depth. MeBr treatment increased yield by 46% and 128% in the first and second years, respectively, compared to the untreated control, but all treatments were similar in yield in year three. Season average fruit size differed among treatments in only the first year, with MeBr resulting in fruit 13% to 25% larger than other treatments. Yield for the metam sodium treatment in the first year was 34% lower than for MeBr, but comparable to MeBr in the other 2 years. Solarization treatment yields were similar to those of MeBr in the first and third years, but could not be analyzed in the second year due to plot damage. Dazomet treatment yields were similar to those of MeBr, metam sodium, and the untreated control in its single year of testing, but logistics of application and high costs may disfavor this treatment. The 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin treatment performed as well as MeBr in its single year of testing. Three treatments-metam sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin, and solarization with black plastic-offer viable, lower cost alternatives to MeBr.</jats:p>

Cover Crop Rotations Alter Soil Microbiology and Reduce Replant Disorders in Strawberry

“…Methyl bromide fumigation typically results in high yield and improved plant productivity in replant sites (Hancock et al, 2001;Larson and Shaw, 2000;Rieger et al, 2001). In both studies, fumigation with methyl bromide resulted in good vegetative growth; however, fruit yield was not exceptional the year after planting.…”

Mycofumigation with Muscodor albus and Muscodor roseus for Control of Seedling Diseases of Sugar Beet and Verticillium Wilt of Eggplant

“…for methyl bromide and requires an additional 2-week period between bed preparation and planting. In addition, dazomet must be tilled into the soil before bedding (18). Optimally, formulations of M. albus and M. roseus could be applied with existing farm equipment.…”

“…Nonchemical alternatives to soil fumigation with methyl bromide include crop rotation, solarization (5), biofumigation with Brassica spp. (2,5,18,20), and incorporation of organic composts or biological controls (9). Solarization is not a practical alternative in most temperate climates and is highly weather dependent.…”

Economic Evaluation of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for the Production of Tomatoes in North Carolina

“…An economic analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that the phaseout of MeBr as a preplant soil fumigant may have substantial impact on many commodities because no known single alternative fumigant, chemical, or other technology exists that can readily substitute for MeBr in efficacy, cost, ease of use, availability, worker safety, and environmental safety below the ozone layer (Osteen, 2003;USDA, 2008a). Among possible alternatives are host plant resistance, biological control, cultural practices, and alternative chemicals, either alone or in combination (Gullino et al, 2003;Manning and Fennimore, 2001;Martin, 2003;Rieger et al, 2001;Ristaino and Thomas, 1997;Rosskopf et al, 2005;Schneider et al, 2003). A few products that have a long history of use include 1,3-dichloropropene, metam sodium, chloropicrin, and combinations of these [e.g., 61.1% 1,3-dichloropropene + 34.7% chloropicrin (Telone-C35 TM ; Dow Agro-Sciences, Indianapolis)] (Duniway, 2002;Martin, 2003;Schneider et al, 2003).…”