Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Soil Fumigation

Methyl bromide is a low weight, volatile, organic compound that is highly toxic to most living organisms. In agriculture, one of it's principal uses is as a fumigant to disinfest soil prior to the planting of high value crops. Methyl bromide was listed as a Class 1 ozone depleting substance (ozone depletion potential > 0.2) in 1992. Due to legislative actions taken by the U.S. Congress in October of 1998, an amendment to the Fiscal Year 1999 appropriations bill made specific changes to the Clean Air Act. These changes will essentially make the U.S. phase-out of methyl bromide consistent with the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule for developed countries. The final methyl bromide phase-out date in the U.S. has been designated as 2005. Methyl bromide production and importation will be reduced from levels as follows: 25% reduction in 1999, 50% reduction in 2001, 70% reduction in 2003, and 100% reduction in 2005. In the U.S., producers of fresh market vegetables and fruits including tomato, pepper, and strawberry utilize production systems that are highly dependent upon methyl bromide for soil disinfestation. Florida is the nations largest producer of fresh market tomato and pepper. Together, Florida growers account for 25% of the total methyl bromide consumption in the U.S. Without methyl bromide, production of these crops is projected to decline by 61.4% to 63.5%, resulting in an annual loss of $388 million to Florida growers.

The Ft. Pierce team of USDA scientists are conducting research that addresses several high-priority areas which include the control of pathogens, nematodes and weeds and to sustain or improve production efficiency in ways that will maintain or enhance natural resources and the environment. By finding suitable alternatives to methyl bromide for vegetable production, U. S. growers will be able to continue producing vegetables in areas such as Florida, where pathogen pressure is high, while sustaining a competitive ability in world markets.

Additional information available on the World-Wide Web at the following links:

• U.S. EPA Methyl Bromide Phase Out Website: www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/mbr
• National IPM Network: ipmwww.ncsu.edu
• Methyl Bromide Alternatives Newsletter: www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/mba/mebrhp.htm

Biologically Based Alternatives to Methyl Bromide

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to developing an integrated pest management strategy that will allow vegetable production in Florida to continue competitively. There is no silver bullet replacement for methyl bromide, but there is an opportunity for a pest management program that uses the tools available in a combined and integrated approach. All available alternatives, including chemical pesticides, are being tested. However, the emphasis is on a system that limits the use of toxic substances, enhances natural antagonists, and uses those tools that have the least detrimental environmental impact. In addition, many of the developments from this program will be applicable in the control of invasive weed species in natural lands.

Map showing commercial vegetable production areas. (Click on map for full-sized version.)

How is ecosystem restoration dependent upon agriculture remaining productive and profitable?

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