Two years effect on some alternatives to Methyl Bromide on strawberry crops

Abstract

Methyl Bromide (MB) is one of the most important fumigants in soil fumigation. It is used because its broad spectrum of activity against most of soil borne parasites (pests, nematodes, fungi) and some bacteria as well as weed control effect. The beneficial effect on the crop in absence of a characterised pathogen is very appreciated by farmers, strawberry growers specially, who use to disinfest the soil as one of the standard soil preparation. This is very significant in large farms where strawberries are the mono-culture of the region as it is the Spanish case. This situation implies a special interest by Spanish farmers and scientists, in finding possible alternatives to the use of MB. Distribution of MB has been already reduced in a 25 % in Spain since 1998, according to the schedule approved by EU, and it will continue descending up to the phase out on 1st of January 2005. Also the long term effect, possibility of repeating the treatment for many years, the dosage reduction to adapt to the time up to the phase out, and treatments without MB have to be studied. The aim of the experiment is to compare the behaviour of treatment of reducing MB dosage, by using VIF tarp (3), fresh manure at large rates (15 g/m2) (7) and moderate rates (5Kg/m2) combined with Solarization (4). Other traditional fumigant such as Metham Na at standard dosages (140g/m2) (6) or reduced dosages (35g/m2) combined with Solarization (5) was included into the experiment. Non treated control (1) and Standard dosage application of MB (60g/m2) (2 ) were used as references. Tarping period for MB treatments was 5 days while with Solarization was 5 weeks.