Project Number: 0500-00044-020-06
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 21, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
1. Conduct replicated, large-scale field trials focused on methyl bromide alternatives in partnership with commercial vegetable growers using locations that collectively represent the diversity of the commercial production systems. 2. Collect biological, environmental, chemical, physical, operational, and economic data required for multi-disciplinary assessment of the methyl bromide alternatives. 3. Identify key variables and their critical values responsible for consistent and effective pest control and crop performance with methyl bromide alternatives.

Approach:
Trials will be initiated in the fall of 2007 in concert with commercial strawberry growers. Selection of alternative fumigants will be determined jointly with commercial grower and will be decided individually on a farm by farm basis. Data will be collected on pest control, growth response of the strawberry and yield. Performance of alternatives will be compared to adjacent methyl bromide fumigated fields.