- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
When it was introduced more than 50 years ago, methyl bromide revolutionized the strawberry industry. The fumigant kills insects, nematodes, pathogens and weed seeds in the soil before the crop is planted in the field, reported Robert Gebelhoff in the Washington Post. However, because the chemical depletes ozone in the atmosphere, the US EPA has been trying to get farmers to stop using it.
Methyl bromide use has dropped dramatically over the years and is expected to be completely phased out by 2016, but strawberry farmers still don't have an alternative that works as...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
In the 10 months methyl iodide has been registered in California, no one in Monterey County has used it or even applied to use it, but the debate over whether anyone should is fresher than ever, the Salinas Californian reported last week.
The soil fumigant methyl bromide, which growers have depended on for decades, will no longer be available starting in 2015. Methyl iodide, a potential substitute, is a harmful chemical, but can be used safely with proper precautions, said UC Cooperative Extension weed scientist Steve...
