Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center

Soil and Water Science

Research on chemical alternatives to methyl bromide in response to the impending ban of methyl bromide has been a major program at GCREC for the past seven years and has produced many of the current practices in the industry today.  The industry-wide accepted application procedure for metam sodium was developed here.  The current methyl bromide alternative practice of Telone C-17 C-35 with Tillam herbicide was developed and research continues on this topic.  Additionally, herbicide research has been integrated into the fumigant program to search for package solutions for all of the major soilborne pests of the important vegetable crops of the area.

Soil solarization, a process whereby raised beds are covered with clear polyethylene mulch film and are allowed to absorb infrared heat from sunlight for eight weeks to achieve temperatures high enough to kill many soilborne pests, has been studied as an alternative to methyl bromide soil fumigation.  Results have been very erratic, ranging from good to no control of various soilborne pests, including weeds, nematodes and disease organisms; thus, demonstrating that solarization is not an acceptable substitute for methyl bromide for all growers, but might fit certain niche markets, such as organic production of some vegetable crops.

Soil solarization, a process whereby raised beds are covered with clear polyethylene mulch film and are allowed to absorb infrared heat from sunlight for eight weeks to achieve temperatures high enough to kill many soilborne pests, has been studied as an alternative to methyl bromide soil fumigation. Results have been very erratic, ranging from good to no control of various soilborne pests, including weeds, nematodes and disease organisms; thus, demonstrating that solarization is not an acceptable substitute for methyl bromide for all growers, but might fit certain niche markets, such as organic production of some vegetable crops.