Raleigh, North Carolina
February 4, 2009
Source:
American Society for
Horticultural Science
Methyl bromide alternatives
indicated for North Carolina tomato production
Technically, economically feasible alternatives indicated
through research
Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a highly effective broad-spectrum
fumigant used extensively in U.S. agriculture to control a wide
variety of pests. Under the Montreal protocol of 1991, however,
MeBr was defined as one of the chemicals that contributed to the
depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, resulting in an
incremental reduction in the amount of MeBr produced and
imported in the U.S. In January 2005, a total phase out of MeBr
(except for emergency and critical-use exceptions) was imposed.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated that the
phaseout of MeBr as a preplant soil fumigant may have
substantial impact on the production levels of many agricultural
crops. No known single alternative fumigant, chemical, or other
technology exists that can readily substitute for MeBr in
efficacy, cost, ease of use, availability, worker safety, and
environmental safety.
Fresh-market tomatoes were planted on 124,400 acres in the
United States in 2007, with a gross production value of almost
$1300 million. Southeastern states, including Georgia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, accounted for
about 17% of the total tomato production in the U.S. Tomatoes
accounted for 25% of the use of MeBr in the U.S., making tomato
growers one of the main groups impacted by the MeBr regulations.
In a recent study published in the October 2008 issue of
HortTechnology,
researchers at North Carolina State University and the USDA
analyzed the economic feasibility of chemical alternatives to
MeBr in the plasticulture production of tomatoes in the mountain
region of North Carolina.
Lead authors of the study Olha Sydorovych and Frank Louws
explained the methodology, stating that they first estimated the
costs and returns associated with growing, harvesting, and
marketing tomatoes in a plasticulture production system
including preplant fumigation with MeBR. Second, they evaluated
the economic feasibility of the alternatives to MeBr using a
partial budget methodology.
The study results indicated that technically and economically
feasible alternatives to MeBr for tomato production exist in
growing conditions similar those of Fletcher, NC. Howeer, the
researchers advised growers to estimate individual production,
harvesting, and marketing costs based on their own production
techniques, price expectations, local supply of labor, and
market situation before selecting an alternative preplant
fumigant, noting that "actual costs and returns will vary from
grower to grower due to market situation, labor supply, age and
condition of equipment, managerial skills, and many other
factors."
The researchers anticipate a need for further research and
better infrastructure to enable more commercial farmers to have
the capacity to adopt alternatives to MeBr. "As more on-farm
research and demonstrations are conducted, complimented with
public and private technical support and extension, it is
anticipated that growers will implement alternative pest
management practices on larger acreage, moving toward greater
reliance on one or more of the alternatives documented in this
study", they concluded.
###
The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS
HortTechnology electronic journal web site:
http://horttech.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/18/4/705
Economic Evaluation of Methyl Bromide
Alternatives for the Production of Tomatoes in North
Carolina
Olha Sydorovych, Charles D. Safley, Rob M. Welker,
Lisa M. Ferguson, David W. Monks, Katie Jennings,
Jim Driver and Frank J. Louws
ABSTRACT
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-C35TM), 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. |
Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural
Science (ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to
advancing all facets of horticultural research, education and
application. More information at
www.ashs.org |
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