
Sun May Rise As Methyl Bromide SetsBy Judy
McBride October 14, 1999Some Florida vegetable growers are
getting better yields in winter crops by relying on the sun instead of methyl
bromide. Researchers are seeking alternatives to this fumigant, scheduled to be
discontinued in 2005. Agricultural Research Service plant
pathologist Daniel O. Chellemi in Fort Pierce, Fla., has enlisted several
growers to test soil solarization. This means covering the soil under clear
plastic for at least 6 weeks during summer to cook weed seeds,
diseases and some nematodes. Before the winter crop is planted, the plastic is
painted white to cool the soil enough for tender roots. Last fall, yields from solarized fields ranged from 96 percent to 123
percent of yields from methyl bromide-treated fields on three commercial farms.
The pepper field yielding 123 percent had been deep-disked before solarization
to break up stubble and bring nematodes to the surface so heat would destroy
them. On another farm, two solarized pepper fields yielded better than methyl
bromide--118 and 104 percent. Both had been "beefed up" with a
biosolids compost. It was the second year of solarization for the field
yielding 104 percent and third year for the field yielding 118 percent. This
means solarization may gradually raise yields, according to Chellemi. For organic grower Kevin O'Dare of Vero Beach, Fla., solarization saved his
business. Last year, his second year of solarization, production rose 30
percent, labor dropped 75 percent--and profits jumped 100 percent. Solarization has drawbacks: It works only for fall planting--half the crop
in the deep South. It doesn't adequately control all pests. And growers must
start preparing field beds at least 6 weeks before planting--posing logistic
problems for large operations. Read more about solarization in the October
issue of Agricultural
Research magazine, online at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct99/sun1099.htm
ARS is the USDAs chief scientific
agency. Scientific contact: Scientific contact: Daniel O. Chellemi, ARS
U.S.
Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2199 South Rock Road, Ft. Pierce, FL,
34945, phone (561) 467-3877, fax (561) 460-3652,
[email protected]. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |