Methyl bromide (MBr) was a widely used fumigant in plasticulture because of its effectiveness against soil-borne pests and weeds in high-value crops; however, it was found to be a class 1 ozone-depleting substance and is no longer available for use in most of the United States. A mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin (Pic-Clor 60) is an alternative that has been used to control soil-borne pathogens and nematodes, and has marginal control of weeds. Virtually impermeable film (VIF) and totally impermeable film (TIF) retain fumigants in the soil longer than the low- and high-density polyethylene films typically used in plasticulture production systems. The increased retention by these films may result in greater control of recalcitrant weeds such as nutsedge. Four rates of Pic-Clor 60 (112, 168, 224, and 280 kg ai ha−1) used with TIF, 280 kg ai ha−1of Pic-Clor 60 used with VIF, and one nontreated control with VIF were evaluated for 2 yr to assess control of yellow and purple nutsedge and to determine an efficacious Pic-Clor 60 rate used with TIF. TIF with a lower rate of 224 kg ai ha−1of Pic-Clor 60 significantly controlled nutsedge populations compared to a high rate of 280 kg ai ha−1with VIF.
As the ban on methyl bromide widens, the need for an effective phytosanitary fumigant alternative grows. Currently available alternatives, phosphine and sulfuryl fluoride, lack efficacy against the pinewood nematode. Ethanedinitrile is a highly efficacious fumigant with chemical properties similar to methyl bromide. Ethanedinitrile was tested against pinewood nematodes in a large-scale field setting with southern yellow pine wood chips at dose rates of 75 and 120 g/m3 for 24 hours. All treatments resulted in complete control of pinewood nematodes whereas a nontreated control confirmed the presence of live nematodes. These preliminary results confirm the efficacy of ethanedinitrile against pinewood nematodes in pine wood chips under field conditions.
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