Project Number: 5302-13220-004-20
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Feb 01, 2009
End Date: Jan 31, 2010

Objective:
Objective: 1) Determine the performance of low permeable tarps on reducing fumigant emissions from shank injection in strawberry fields; and 2) Determine permeability changes and emission reductions of different films under raised-bed field conditions.

Approach:
Two field trials will be conducted. A large field trial in the first year will determine the effectiveness of low permeable tarps on emission reduction from broadcast application of CP. The films will include virtually impermeable film (VIF) and totally impermeable film (TIF) upon determining its feasibility in comparison with standard polyethylene (PE) tarp and a deep injection method. Another field trial in the second year will focus on testing tarp permeability changes under raised-bed field conditions for a number of commercially available tarps including HDPE, LDPE, SIF (semi-impermeable film), VIF, and TIF in three replicates for each tarp. Data collection from both trials will include flux chamber emission measurements for direct emission loss from soil surface and fumigant concentration under the tarp over time. Data for the second trial will be statistically analyzed. The concept of normalized flux (flux/concentration) will be employed throughout the project as a parameter to evaluate tarp permeability under field conditions. The data of emission flux, tarp permeability change, fumigant concentration under the tarp and other soil/climate conditions in the field will be integrated and examined for the feasibility of low permeable tarp technology. Documents Trust with CAL Strawberry Commission. Log 36508.