Off-tarp emissions, distribution, and efficacy of carbonated fumigants in a low permeability film tarped field.

Carbonated fumigants have been shown to distribute quickly and uniformly in sandy soils and improve pest control efficacy for annual crops. Low permeability films, such as VaporSafe® (TIF), could further improve fumigant dispersion by effectively retaining the fumigant in soil; however, there is a concern that the TIF can lead to higher off-tarp edge emissions. An orchard field trial was conducted to determine the off-tarp emissions, distribution, efficacy, and fate of carbonated Telone® C35 [63.4% 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), 34.7% chloropicrin (CP)] that was shank-injected at 46cm soil depth. Treatments included carbonated fumigants at full- or 2/3 rates and a full rate of regular (nitrogen-pressurized) fumigants covered with standard polyethylene (PE) film, TIF, or no surface seal. Fumigant emissions at the regular tarp edge (25cm from the shank line) peaked at 3.98µgm-2s-1 for 1,3-D and 0.05µgm-2s-1 for CP. The addition of a TIF tarp extension (to 85cm from the shank line) reduce peak off-tarp emissions to <1 and <0.03µgm-2s-1 for 1,3-D and CP, respectively. Fumigant concentration under TIF was usually at least twice that under PE regardless of carbonation. Carbonation at 345KPa with 1.5% of dissolved CO2 did not significantly improve fumigant dispersion in soil profile compared to the conventional nitrogen pressurization. In a citrus nematode bioassay, only the 2/3 rate of carbonated fumigation treatment sealed with PE failed to control nematodes at 25cm away from shank line. This research indicates that a 60-cm TIF extension can effectively reduce off-tarp edge emissions in strip fumigation treatments. While the adaptability of carbonation of fumigants is still questionable, further research efforts are needed in finding effective solutions to control plant parasitic nematodes, which remain a challenge in orchard fumigation.

Emissions from soil fumigation in two raised bed production systems tarped with low permeability films.

Raised beds are used to produce some high-value annual fruit and vegetable crops such as strawberry in California (CA) and tomato in Florida (FL), USA. Pre-plant soil fumigation is an important tool to control soil-borne pests in the raised beds. However, fumigant emissions have detrimental environmental consequences. Field trials were conducted to evaluate emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin (CP) in two different production systems with raised beds covered by different tarps. In the CA trial, InLine (60.8% 1,3-D and 33.3% CP) was drip-applied at 340 kg ha(-1) to 5 cm deep in the beds (30 cm high and 107 cm wide) tarped with polyethylene (PE) or virtually impermeable film (VIF). In the FL trial, carbonated Telone C35 (63.4% 1,3-D and 34.7% CP) was shank-applied at 151 kg ha(-1) to 20 cm deep in the beds (22 cm high and 76 cm wide) tarped with totally impermeable film (TIF). Emissions from tarped beds relative to furrows were contrary between the two trials. For the CA trial, the emission was 47% of applied 1,3-D and 27% of applied CP from PE tarped beds and 31% of applied 1,3-D and 15% of applied CP from VIF tarped beds, while that from uncovered furrows was<0.4% for both chemicals in both fields. In the FL trial, only 0.1% 1,3-D was emitted from the TIF tarped beds, but 27% was measured from the uncovered furrows. Factors contributing to the differences in emissions were chiefly raised-bed configuration, tarp permeability, fumigant application method, soil properties, soil water content, and fumigant carbonation. The results indicate that strategies for emission reduction must consider the differences in agronomic production systems. Modifying raised bed configuration and fumigant application technique in coarse textured soils with TIF tarping can maximize fumigation efficiency and emission reduction.