Abstract
The use of gas-impermeable films to minimize methyl bromide (MB) emission into the atmosphere from soil fumigation was studied in the field. Three experiments evaluated various plastic films during fumigation with a reduced dosage of MB. The concentration of MB decreased sharply in the soil during the first 24 h when polyethylene-based films were used. In contrast, films having a layer of barrier material, such as polyamide or ethylene vinyl alcohol, were significantly less permeable, shown by a gradual decrease in the MB concentration in the soil, a relatively higher concentration in deeper soil layers, and higher concentration (C) by exposure time (T) (C x T) values. A significant correlation was obtained between permeability values obtained in the laboratory and C x T values in the field. Fumigation under impermeable films at the reduced dosage of 20-25 g m-2 was effective in killing propagules of five pathogenic fungi to a depth of 40 cm. The significant correlation obtained between C x T values and the level of fungal killing suggests that using impermeable films reduces MB dosage and emission to the atmosphere while maintaining effective pest control.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 241-248 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Crop Protection |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1998 |
Keywords
- Fusarium oxysporum
- Impermeable film
- Sclerotium rolfsii
- Soil fumigation