ARS | Publication request: SIMULATING THE CONTROL OF PLANT PATHOGENS AFTER PESTICIDES APPLICATION

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2003
Publication Date: November 2, 2003
Citation: Yates, S.R., Papiernik, S.K., Wu, L. 2003. Simulating the control of plant pathogens after pesticides application. Abstract. Denver, CO. Nov. 2-6, 2003. Poster #1624 pp. 132.

Technical Abstract: Soil fumigation practices need to be improved to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Frequently, fumigants are applied to soils at greater levels than necessary to achieve adequate pest control, to reduce risk of crop failure. As much as 25 to 75 percent of applied soil fumigants are typically lost to the atmosphere. Pest control depends on a set of complex interrelated factors affecting pesticide fate, volatilization, and distribution, including ambient soil and environmental conditions and various application factors. This information is generally unknown prior to fumigation. Methodology has been developed to allow prediction of pathogen control prior to soil fumigation. A model is used to describe the fate and distribution of fumigant in soil, emissions into the atmosphere, and survival and destruction of common soil pathogens. Laboratory experiments have been conducted to obtain data that can be used to test the model. The method should be useful in optimizing the fumigation process by minimizing intrinsic emissions while maintaining uniform pest control.