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

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Charles D. Safley ◽  
Rob M. Welker ◽  
Lisa M. Ferguson ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
...  

Partial budget analysis was used to evaluate soil treatment alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) based on their efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The analysis was conducted for the mountain tomato production region based on 6 years of field test data collected in Fletcher, NC. Fumigation alternatives evaluated included 61.1% 1,3-dichloropropene + 34.7% chloropicrin (Telone-C35™), 60.8% 1,3-dichloropropene + 33.3% chloropicrin (InLine), 99% chloropicrin (Chlor-o-pic), 94% chloropicrin (TriClor EC), 42% metam sodium (4.26 lb/gal a.i., Vapam), and 50% iodomethane + 50% chloropicrin (Midas). The MeBr formulation was 67% methyl bromide and 33% chloropicrin (Terr-O-Gas). Chloropicrin applied at 15 gal/acre provided the greatest returns with an additional return of $907/acre relative to MeBr. Telone-C35 provided an additional return of $848/acre and drip-applied metam sodium provided an additional return of $137/acre. The return associated with broadcast applied metam sodium was about equal to the estimated return a grower would receive when applying MeBr. Fumigating with a combination of chloropicrin and metam sodium; shank-applied chloropicrin at 8 gal/acre; drip-applied chloropicrin, Midas, or InLine; and the nonfumigated soil treatment all resulted in projected losses of $156/acre, $233/acre, $422/acre, $425/acre, $604/acre, and $2133/acre, respectively, relative to MeBr. Although technical issues currently associated with some of the MeBr alternatives may exist, results indicate that there are economically feasible fumigation alternatives to MeBr for production of tomatoes in North Carolina.

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Charles D. Safley ◽  
Lisa M. Ferguson ◽  
E. Barclay Poling ◽  
Gina E. Fernandez ◽  
...  

Partial budget analysis was used to evaluate soil treatment alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) based on their cost-effectiveness in the production of strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa). The analysis was conducted for two geographical areas: the piedmont and coastal plain area (including North Carolina and Georgia) and the mountain area of western North Carolina, based on 7 years of field test data. The fumigation alternatives evaluated were Telone-C35 (1,3-dichloropropene 61.1% + chloropicrin 34.7%), Telone II (1,3-dichloropropene 94%), chloropicrin (Chlor-o-pic 99% and TriClor EC), InLine (1,3-dichloropropene 60.8% + chloropicrin 33.3%), and metam sodium (Vapam or Sectagon 42, 42% sodium methyldithiocarbamate). The MeBr formulation was 67% MeBr and 33% chloropicrin (Terr-O-Gas) with the exception of the earlier trials where a 98:2 ratio was used. In the piedmont and coastal plain area, the soil treated with chloropicrin showed the best results with an additional return of $1670/acre relative to MeBr, followed by Telone-C35 with an additional return of $277/acre. The projected return associated with shank-applied metam sodium was approximately equal to the estimated return a grower would receive when applying MeBr. Fumigating with drip-applied metam sodium, InLine, and Telone II as well as the nonfumigated soil treatment resulted in projected losses of $2182, $2233, $4179, and $6450 per acre, respectively, relative to MeBr. In the mountain area, all of the alternatives resulted in a projected increase in net returns relative to MeBr. The largest projected increase was $1320/acre for the InLine treatment, while the added returns for the TriClor and Telone-C35 applications were estimated to be $509 and $339 per acre, respectively. The drip-applied metam sodium application resulted in an additional return of $40/acre, and the added revenue for the nonfumigated soil treatment was $24/acre more than MeBr treatment. Although technical issues currently associated with some of the alternatives may persist, results indicate that there are economically feasible fumigation alternatives to MeBr in the production of strawberries in the southeastern U.S.


HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1208-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvadore J. Locascio ◽  
James P. Gilreath ◽  
D.W. Dickson ◽  
Thomas A. Kucharek ◽  
J.P. Jones ◽  
...  

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was grown to evaluate various chemicals as possible alternatives to methyl bromide soil fumigation. Due to a combination of weeds, nematodes, and soil fungi, the use of a broad-spectrum fumigant has been essential for economical tomato production in Florida. Methyl bromide (MBr) and combinations of MBr with chloropicrin (Pic) are the fumigants of choice for most growers using polyethylene mulch culture. In 1991, MBr was allegedly associated with stratospheric ozone depletion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has since mandated a phaseout of MBr for soil fumigation in the United States by the year 2001. At three locations in Florida, alternative soil fumigants were evaluated, including soil injected 98% MBr—2% Pic at 450 kg·ha-1, 67% MBr—33% Pic (390 kg·ha-1), Pic (390 kg·ha-1), dichloropropene + 17% Pic (1,3-D + Pic) at 327 L·ha-1, and metam-sodium (935 L·ha-1). Also, metam-sodium and tetrathiocarbonate (1870 L·ha-1) were applied by drip irrigation. Dazomet (450 kg·ha-1) was surface applied and soil incorporated. Pebulate (4.5 kg·ha-1) was soil incorporated with some treatments. Pic and 1,3-D + Pic treatments provided good to moderate control of nematodes and soil fungi except in one of the six studies, in which nematode control with 1,3-D was moderate to poor. Nutsedge densities were suppressed by addition of pebulate. Tomato fruit yields with 1,3-D + Pic + pebulate and with Pic + pebulate at the three sites ranged from 85% to 114%, 60% to 95%, and l01% to 119%, respectively, of that obtained with MBr treatments. Pest control and crop yield were lower with treatments other than the above pebulate-containing or MBr-containing treatments. These studies indicate that no one alternative pesticide can provide the consistent broad-spectrum control provided by MBr. Chemical names used: trichloronitromethane (chloropicrin); 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D); sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam-sodium); sodium tetrathiocarbonate (tetrathiocarbonate); 3,5-dimethyl-(2H)-tetrahydro-l,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione (dazomet); S-propyl butyl(ethyl)thiocarbamate (pebulate).


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 759a-759
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Ray ◽  
Sandra B. Wilson ◽  
Kathy H. Brock ◽  
Bruce A. Fortnum ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau

Pest management is of primary importance to the vegetable industry in our nation. In recent years producers have undergone much scrutiny concerning their pest control strategies, which often include the use of chemical pesticides. Due to the detrimental effects of many fumigants, growers are being forced to incorporate more environmentally sound agricultural practices while still producing a healthy, marketable commodity. The effects of three different fumigants and reflective mulches on plant growth and development were studied in field-grown, staked tomatoes. Methyl bromide, Telone II, or Telone C-17 were used in fumigation of plots. The establishment of mulch color was done via applications of exterior enamel paint, white or red in color, to the surface of black polyethylene mulch. With the exception of total marketable yields, no interactions existed between mulch color and fumigant. Red mulch and Telone II treatments resulted in the highest total marketable yield. Telone II application increased early marketable yield. White mulch color increased preharvest yield and black mulch color decreased early marketable yield. Low initial populations of nematodes may be the cause for lack of response due to fumigation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Gilreath ◽  
Bielinski M. Santos ◽  
Timothy N. Motis

Field studies were conducted to compare the performance of several methyl bromide (MBr) alternative programs on sting nematode (Belonolaimus spp.) control and marketable yield of ‘Camarosa’ strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa). The tested fumigation programs were 1) MBr + chloropicrin (Pic; 67:33 v/v) at 350 lb/acre, 2) Pic + metam sodium (MNa) at 300 lb/acre and 37.5 gal/acre, 3) 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) + Pic at 35 gal/acre, 4) 1,3-D + Pic and dazomet at 35 gal/acre and 200 lb/acre, 5) propylene oxide at 45 gal/acre, 6) furfural + allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) at 600 lb/acre, 7) furfural and MNa at 56 and 50 gal/acre, 8) furfural + AITC at 400 lb/acre followed by four furfural applications of 6 gal/acre/injection, 9) furfural and MNa at 37 and 33 gal/acre followed by four furfural applications of 6 gal/acre/injection, 10) fosthiazate and Pic at 4.5 and 150 lb/acre, and 11) a nontreated control. The fumigation programs consisting of 1,3-D + Pic and dazomet, 1,3-D + Pic, Pic and MNa, and fosthiazate and Pic proved to be as valuable as the grower-standard MBr + Pic on strawberry plant vigor, sting nematode control, and early and total marketable yields.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 525b-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Locascio ◽  
D.W. Dickson

In past work, dichloropropene + 17% Pic (1,3-D + Pic) at 327 L·ha–1 plus pebulate provided good control of nematode, soil fungi, and nutsedge in mulched tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and is considered the best alternative for methyl bromide (MBr) + chloropicrin (Pic), which is scheduled for phase-out in the United States by Jan. 2001. Metam-sodium did not provide acceptable pest control. In the present study, metam-Na (295 L·ha–1 combined with Pic (168 kg·ha–1) + 4.5 kg·ha–1 pebulate, and 1,3-D + 35% Pic at 168 and 225 L·ha–1 + pebulate were compared to MBr-Pic (98-2% at 345 kg·ha–1 and 67-33% at 505 kg·ha–1). Fumigants were injected into the bed except metam-Na and pebulate were surface-applied and incorporated and drip tubing and mulch were applied. Marketable yields with MBr-Pic, 225 L·ha–1 1,3-D + Pic, and metam-Na + Pic were higher than with the check. Yields with metam-Na alone or with additional water before transplanting were similar to the check. Nutsedge was controlled with MBr-Pic and all treatments with pebulate. Nematode root-gall ratings were high on tomato grown without fumigants (8.9 rating on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 = no galling), low with MBr-Pic (0.33), and intermediate with all other treatments (2.2 to 5.5) except with 168 L·ha–1 1-3-D + Pic (8.3). This study indicates that metam-Na + Pic + pebulate also is a possible alternative to MBr-Pic for tomato.


1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc A. Gordts ◽  
Andre Vandezande ◽  
Pieter P. Van Cauwenberge ◽  
Willy Van Haver

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuchun Xu ◽  
Di Wu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Bang Ni ◽  
Xuan Yang ◽  
...  

<p>Plastic-shed vegetable production system is becoming the main type of vegetable production in China, while excessive irrigation and fertilization input lead to significant N loss by leaching, runoff, and gaseous N. The current study established a field experiment to investigate the effects of drip irrigation and optimized fertilization on vegetable yield, water and fertilizer efficiencies and N<sub>2</sub>O emission in a typical intensive plastic-shed tomato production region of China. The treatments include CK (no fertilization, flood irrigation), FFP (farmers’ conventional fertilization, flood irrigation), OPT1 (80% of FFP fertilization, flood irrigation), OPT2 (80% of FFP fertilization, drip irrigation). N<sub>2</sub>O isotopocule deltas, including δ<sup>15</sup>N<sup>bulk</sup>, δ<sup>18</sup>O and SP (the <sup>15</sup>N site preference in N<sub>2</sub>O), have been used to investigate microbial pathways of N<sub>2</sub>O production under different treatments. Our results showed: i) optimized fertilization and drip irrigation significantly improved the fertilizer and water use efficiency without reducing tomato yield, ii) compared with flood irrigation, drip irrigation decreased soil WFPS and soil ammonium content, but increased soil nitrate content. When soil moisture was higher than 60%WFPS, drip irrigation led to a decrease of N<sub>2</sub>O emission with lower N<sub>2</sub>O SP signature observed than that of food irrigation, suggesting a reduction of denitrification derived N<sub>2</sub>O. In contrast, drip irrigation significantly increased N<sub>2</sub>O emission and N<sub>2</sub>O SP value when soil moisture status was lower than 55% WFPS, which may be due to the enhanced nitrification or fungal denitrification derived N<sub>2</sub>O.</p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 648-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Gilreath ◽  
Bielinski M. Santos

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