Project Number: 6615-12000-004-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 24, 2007
End Date: Mar 31, 2010

Objective:
Collaborate in conducting raised-bed, plastic covered field-plot experiments designed to enhance dispersion and efficacy of low-vapor-pressure alternative fumigants (including 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin) compared to methyl bromide for control of nematodes, pathogens, and weeds in Florida soils used for vegetable production, while improving retention of fumigants in the target treatment zones with virtually impermeable films and other materials between soil beds.

Approach:
Laboratory and field experiments will be conducted to determine the feasibility of using carbonated water to function as a propellant for enhancing the dispersion of low- vapor-pressure fumigants such as Telone InLine (a mixture of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin) applied via irrigation drip tubes under plastic covered beds. A pinpoint carbonator will be employed to carbonate the irrigation water before the fumigant is injected into the drip tube delivery system. A three dimensional array of soil sampling probes will be used to sample soil-pore air-space concentrations to determine the effectiveness of the dispersion enhancement system. Effectiveness of dispersion will be compared with measured concentration distributions of noncarbonated delivery applications of the low-vapor-pressure fumigant, as well as compared with measured concentration distributions of methyl bromide itself. Various techniques will be applied to reduce emissions from the bedded rows and middles to the atmosphere.