One of my research focus areas over the past few years has been related to soil fumigation issues, specifically focused on methyl bromide alternatives for the tree and vine nursery industry.  I described some of this nursery work in a post late last year.  Today I wanted to share a brief description and links containing a more overarching view of methyl bromide alternatives related research in California, Oregon, and Washington.

With the support of USDA-ARS, a five-year program was initiated in 2006 to support research, demonstration, and extension projects in western cropping systems heavily reliant on preplant soil fumigation with methyl...

One of my major areas of research the past few years has been related to alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation in perennial crop nurseries.  A list of recent posts on soil fumigation research and issues is available.  Some specific research areas have included reducing atmospheric emissions of methyl bromide alternatives and on alternative fumigants such as methyl iodide. 



Today, I thought I'd share some basic information on the nursery cropping system as well as two recent...

Producing 85 percent of the nation’s strawberries, California growers urgently need alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation if they are to maintain yields. Methyl bromide has been phased out for all but critical uses because it depletes ozone in the upper atmosphere.

UC scientists now report that use of totally impermeable film in strawberry fields can improve the effectiveness of a widely-used MB alternative known as 1,3-D (1,3, dichloropropene). Use of the film reduces the amount of 1,3-D needed to maintain yields, while lowering field emissions overall.

The strawberry industry is highly dependent on soil fumigation to control pests and maintain high yields. The methyl bromide alternative, 1,3-D, can be used...