Fumigant distribution in forest nursery soils under water seal and plastic film after application of dazomet, metam-sodium and chloropicrin

Adequate concentration, exposure time and distribution uniformity of activated fumigant gases are prerequisites for successful soil fumigation. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate gas phase distributions of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) and chloropicrin (CP) in two forest-tree nurseries. Concentrations of MITC and CP in soil air were measured from replicated microplots that received dazomet, metam-sodium and CP. Half of the plots were covered with high-density polyethylene tarp immediately after fumigation; the other half were not covered but received daily sprinkler irrigation for 1 week to create and maintain a water seal. The magnitude of MITC concentrations was similar between nurseries for metam-sodium in both tarp and water seal treatments and for dazomet in the tarp treatment. Consistently greater MITC and CP concentrations were found in the upper 30 cm of soil in the tarped plots compared with the water-sealed plots. Despite potential environmental and economic benefits with the water seal method, tarp covers were more reliable for achieving and maintaining higher MITC and CP concentrations and less prone to variations due to irrigation/rain, soil bulk density and other environmental conditions.     

Methyl isothiocyanate volatilization from fields treated with metam‐sodium

Emission of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) from fields treated with metam‐sodium (sodium N‐methyldithiocarbamate) is a potential environmental and human safety hazard. Concentrations of MITC at three heights above four arable fields were measured following the application of metam‐sodium at a rate of 480 litre ha⁻¹ (166 kg AI ha⁻¹). Two of these fields were treated by injection into a center‐pivot irrigation system (chemigation), while in the other two fields the fumigant was applied through injection directly into the soil. Generally, higher MITC air concentrations were observed above chemigated than above injected fields. Maximum MITC air concentrations were 11.2 and 7.4 µg m⁻³ recorded 10 cm above ground 6–8 h following application and the minimum concentrations were 0.7 and 0.2 µg m⁻³ observed at 200 cm 30–35 h after application above chemigated and injected fields, respectively. The estimated MITC respiratory exposure a worker might encounter during the re‐entry period ranged between 1.37 and 0.03 mg day⁻¹ in chemigated fields and between 0.35 and 0.02 mg day⁻¹ in the injected fields. These results suggest that application of the fumigant through injection reduced MITC volatilization losses in comparison with the chemigation method, thus posing a relatively lower risk of exposure to MITC emissions. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

药液稀释倍数对威百亩分解产生异硫氰酸甲酯及其消解的影响

种植前施用威百亩进行土壤熏蒸消毒, 其分解产生的异硫氰酸甲酯（methyl isothiocyanate, MITC）可有效控制土传病原菌。威百亩以滴灌方式施用更为方便、安全, 但在滴灌前的稀释过程中可能会水解产生MITC, MITC继续消解或挥发导致进入土壤的有效成分量减少。因此有必要筛选适宜的威百亩稀释倍数, 保证MITC在土壤中分布均匀的同时减少威百亩分解及MITC消解和挥发导致的损失。本文研究了不同pH条件下稀释倍数对威百亩水解产生MITC及MITC消解的影响。结果表明, 在中性条件下, 由威百亩水解产生的MITC量及其消解速率均随稀释倍数增加而增加;在酸性条件下, 稀释100倍时MITC的产生量及消解速率均为最大, 稀释50倍时MITC的产生量最低, 稀释400倍时MITC消解最慢;在碱性条件下, MITC的产生量随稀释倍数增加而增加, 消解速率为稀释1 000倍时最快, 稀释100倍时最慢。研究结果对滴灌施用威百亩时田间用水量及威百亩用量均具有指导意义。     

Leaching of Methyl Isothiocyanate in Plainfield Sand Chemigated with Metam-Sodium

Soil column studies were undertaken to investigate the influence of soil water content and irrigation on leaching, distribution and persistence of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) in a sandy soil chemigated with the soil fumigant metam-sodium. No leaching was obtained from columns at low water content (0·042 or 0·074 cm³ cm⁻³). However, 8·4 (±2·8), 34·2 (±7·4) and 119·4 (±8·3) μg of MITC leached from columns at 0·105, 0·137 and 0·168 cm³ cm⁻³ water content, respectively. Increased leaching resulted from sprinkler application of 25-mm of water to columns at 0·137 cm³ cm⁻³ water content. Leaching of MITC constituted only a small fraction of the amount applied even in the worst case. Methyl isothiocyanate persisted in soil for 15 days at 2°C in varying amounts under the different water regimes. Relatively high amounts of MITC residues (8–12 mg kg⁻¹ soil) were detected in the top 25-cm layer of all the soil columns. Degradation was the major pathway of dissipation for the chemical despite the soil water regime.     

实验室条件下威百亩及异硫氰酸甲酯在土壤中的降解特性

在实验室条件下,利用高效液相色谱研究了威百亩及其降解产物异硫氰酸甲酯在土壤中的降解特性及影响因素。结果表明:威百亩在土壤中的降解与土壤绝对含水量、环境温度和土壤有机质含量均密切相关。25 ℃下,威百亩在绝对含水量为0、20%、40%、60%的土壤中的半衰期分别为5.0、1.2、4.1和4.3 d,绝对含水量约为20%的土壤最有利于其降解。威百亩的降解速率还随温度的升高和土壤有机质含量的增加而加快。异硫氰酸甲酯的降解趋势与威百亩基本相同。研究结果可为威百亩的田间安全、合理施用提供参考。     

Effects of surface treatments and application shanks on nematode, pathogen and weed control with 1,3-dichloropropene

BACKGROUND: Preplant fumigation with methyl bromide (MeBr) has been used for control of soilborne pests in high‐value annual, perennial and nursery crops, but is being phased out. In 2007 and 2008, research trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of surface treatments and two application shanks on pest control with 1,3‐dicloropropene (1,3‐D) in perennial crop nurseries. RESULTS: All 1,3‐D treatments controlled nematodes similarly to MeBr. Application of 1,3‐D with virtually impermeable film (VIF) reduced Fusarium oxysporum compared with unfumigated plots, but was not as effective as MeBr. Applications of 1,3‐D with VIF or 1,3‐D followed by metam sodium reduced Pythium spp., but 1,3‐D followed by intermittent water seals was comparable with the untreated plots. When sealed with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) film or VIF, 1,3‐D generally was as effective as MeBr for reducing weed density and total weed biomass, but weed control was reduced by intermittent water seals and in unsealed plots subsequently re‐treated with additional 1,3‐D or metam sodium. CONCLUSION: Applications of 1,3‐D sealed with HDPE or VIF film or with intermittent water seals can control nematodes similarly to MeBr. However, additional management practices may be needed for effective pathogen and weed control if plastic film is not used. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

溴甲烷土壤消毒替代技术研究进展

概述了溴甲烷替代品的新进展。在土壤消毒方面,新的进展有化学替代品:氯化苦胶囊、氯化苦乳剂、氯化苦+噻唑磷混用、C₂N₂、氰铵化钙、异硫氰酸烯丙酯、异硫氰酸甲酯、1,3—二氯丙烯和氯化苦混剂、碘甲烷、环氧丙烷、叠氮化合物、硫酰氟等。在使用技术上,采用化学灌溉和注射施药技术进一步提高药剂分布的均匀性。在非化学替代技术上,生物熏蒸和有机质补充正受到重视。减少溴甲烷的技术正在快速地发展。     

Incompatibility of metam sodium with halogenated fumigants

Metam sodium (metam) is a widely used soil fumigant. Combined application of metam and other available fumigants is intended to produce synergic pesticidal effects for a broad spectrum of pest control in soil fumigation. This study aimed to test the compatibility of metam with the halogenated fumigants 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), chloropicrin, methyl bromide, methyl iodide and propargyl bromide. Halogenated fumigants and metam were spiked simultaneously into organic solvents, water and moist soils, and metam-induced degradation of these halogenated chemicals was evaluated. In all three media, the halogenated fumigants were incompatible with metam and degraded via rapid chemical reactions. The degradation rate varied with halogenated fumigant species and increased as the amount of metam present was increased. In moist soil, 15-95% of the halogenated fumigants were decomposed within 72 h by metam at a 1:1 molar ratio. Combined application of Telone C-35 (62.5% 1,3-D + 35% chloropicrin) at 265 mg kg(-1) and Vapam (42% metam) at 567 mg kg(-1) in soil resulted in complete disappearance of the applied chloropicrin and 20-38% of the 1,3-D within 8 h. The results suggest that simultaneous application of halogenated fumigants and metam at the same soil depth will not maximize pest control. In practice, sequential treatment of soil or application at different soil depths is recommended when these two types of fumigants are used in combination.     

Distribution and efficacy of drip-applied metam-sodium against the survival of Rhizoctonia solani and yellow nutsedge in plastic-mulched sandy soil beds

The effects of metam-sodium application rate on soil residence time, spatial and temporal distributions of methyl isothiocyanate and pest control efficacy were studied in a Georgia sandy soil. Metam-sodium 420 g L(-1) SL was drip applied at rates of 147 and 295 L ha(-1) in plastic-mulched raised beds. Methyl isothiocyanate concentrations in soil air space were monitored from four preselected sites: 10 and 20 cm below the emitter, and 20 and 30 cm laterally away from the emitter at 3, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 and 240 h after chemigation. A higher rate of metam-sodium application resulted in higher methyl isothiocyanate concentrations in the soil. Highest methyl isothiocyanate concentrations were found at 20 cm below the emitter, and lowest at 30 cm laterally away from the emitter. Methyl isothiocyanate concentrations decreased with time and distance from the emitter. Lower methyl isothiocyanate concentration x time product values at 20 and 30 cm away from the emitter resulted in lower mortalities of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). The results demonstrated that methyl isothiocyanate can be delivered at lethal doses with drip-applied water downward within the beds. Lateral diffusion of methyl isothiocyanate from the point of application did not reach biologically active concentrations to affect the survival of R. solani or yellow nutsedge. Further studies on the lateral distribution of methyl isothiocyanate in sandy soils are needed to circumvent this limitation.     

Effects of sodium azide and methyl bromide on soil bacterial populations,enzymic activities and other biological variables

The application of a granular formulation of sodium azide (Smite 8G), to pine nursery beds at rates of 0, 22.4, 67.2 and 134.5 kg active ingredient ha^?1 under water seal or plastic seal, was compared over a 1-year period with methyl bromide, applied at a rate of 650 kg ha^?1, to determine the effects of soil bacterial populations, soil enzymic activities, development of mycorrhizal roots, weed population and incidence of root diseases. Bacterial populations at 24 days after treatment had increased in proportion to the amount of sodium azide added; however, highest numbers of bacteria were recorded from the methyl bromide-treated plot. At the last sampling date no significant differences were observed in bacterial populations among treatments. Neither sodium azide nor methyl bromide caused permanent changes in soil enzymic activities or adversely affected mycorrhizal root development on pine seedlings. Sodium azide at 134.5 kg ha^?1 and methyl bromide both significantly decreased the number of Cyperus spp. plants in plots; however, the number of pine seedlings exhibiting a root disease was highest in plots receiving these treatments.     

A simulation model for fate and transport of methyl bromide during fumigation in plastic‐mulched vegetable soil beds

A coupled water‐heat and chemical transport model was used to describe the fate and transport of methyl bromide fumigant in low‐density polyethylene plastic‐mulched soil beds used for vegetable production. Methyl bromide transport was described by convective‐dispersive processes including transformations through hydrolysis. Effects of non‐isothermal conditions on chemical transport were considered through inclusion of temperature effects on transport parameters. An energy‐balance approach was used to describe the plastic‐mulched boundary condition that controls the thermal regime within the soil bed. Simulations were made for variable water‐saturation regimes within the bed and for different depths of fumigant injection. Simulations for various scenarios revealed that large amounts (20–44% over a 7‐day period) of applied methyl bromide are lost from the un‐mulched furrows between the beds. Plastic mulching of the bed was found to be only partially effective (11–29% emission losses over a 7‐day period) in reducing atmospheric emissions. Deep injection of fumigant and saturating the soil with water both led to increased retention of methyl bromide within the soil and less emission to the atmosphere. However, deep injection was unfavorable for effective sterilization of the crop root zone. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

硫酰氟——溴甲烷土壤消毒潜在的替代品

初步试验表明,硫酰氟25~50 g/m2对土壤真菌(Fusarium sp.)、线虫均有良好的杀灭效果,防治后番茄产量与使用溴甲烷50 g/m2相当。硫酰氟蒸汽压高,穿透性强,可杀死深土层中的线虫及病原菌。由于其在常温下是气体,即使在冬天使用,也不需要搭小拱棚或采用"热法"施药,因此比使用溴甲烷更为方便;使用时也不像威百亩那样需要专用的施药设备。因此,硫酰氟是溴甲烷土壤消毒很有前景的替代品。     

Analysis of metsulfuron‐methyl residues in wheat field soil: a comparison of HPLC and bioassay techniques

BACKGROUND: Metsulfuron‐methyl is a low‐application‐rate sulfonylurea herbicide that is widely used to control broad‐leaved weeds in wheat. Owing to its persistent nature, its residues may be present at phytotoxic levels for the next crop in rotation. Therefore, a comparative evaluation of HPLC and bioassay techniques was made for the analysis of this herbicide in wheat field soil. RESULTS: Metsulfuron‐methyl was applied to wheat crop at different rates (4, 8 and 12 AI ha^?1) at 28 days after sowing as a post‐emergence application, and the soil was analysed for metsulfuron‐methyl residues by HPLC and lentil seed bioassay techniques. The bioassay was found to be the more sensitive technique. At the recommended rate of application, 4 g AI ha^?1, the bioassay technique could detect the residue up to 30 days in surface soil, while, with HPLC, residues were not detectable on the 15th day. The half‐lives of metsulfuron‐methyl by HPLC and bioassay were calculated as 6.3–7.8 and 17.5 days respectively. Under field conditions, residues of metsulfuron‐methyl were also detected in subsurface soil by the bioassay technique at trace levels, but were not detected by the solvent extraction/HPLC method. CONCLUSION: Lentil seed bioassay is a more sensitive technique than HPLC. Traces of residues detected in subsurface soil indicated the mobility of metsulfuron‐methyl into lower layers. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Permeation of soil fumigants through agricultural plastic films

Plastic films are used in soil fumigation to control fumigant emission into the atmosphere. In previous studies it was shown that the plastic films are permeable to fumigant vapors. Virtually impermeable films (VIF) have been developed to reduce such emission and to increase the efficacy of pest control. A rapid, accurate, sensitive and simple method to measure the permeability of plastic films to soil fumigants that was developed in the present study is described in this paper. The method uses a static, closed system in which the tested film is fixed between two cells. The fumigant is sampled by a solid-phase microextraction method and measured quantitatively by gas chromatography. The method was used to assess the permeability of two plastic films — a low-density polyethylene film (LDPE) and a VIF — to commercial soil fumigants formulated individually or in mixtures. All the tested fumigants permeated through the commonly used LDPE film, in the following descending order of permeability: methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), methyl bromide (MBr), 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D; Telone), chloropicrin (CP). The VIF was impermeable to all the tested fumigants except MITC, the permeation of which was reduced by 40%. The permeation of some fumigants through LDPE films was influenced by the formulation used. The permeation of CP was increased when it was combined with MBr in Bromopic. With Telopic, a mixture of 1,3-D and CP, the permeation of 1,3-D through LDPE film was 62% greater than that of Telone, whereas that of CP was not affected. The permeation rates of both MBr and CP were 25–30% greater when they were formulated as a mixture in Bromopic than when they were formulated individually. The formulation of fumigants as mixtures of two components did not affect their permeability through VIF. This study showed that differences in the suitability of plastic films for soil fumigation can be measured easily in a laboratory. It also showed that the VIP was more effective than LDPE in reducing losses of fumigant to the atmosphere, thus allowing more efficient use of fumigants to manage soilborne pests. The presented method helps us to choose the most adequate film for optimizing fumigation efficacy, and reducing costs and environmental risks. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 17, 2006.     

施氮量对库尔勒香梨园氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放的影响

为了解库尔勒香梨园土壤氮素气态损失，采用密闭式集气法和静态箱气相色谱法对不同氮肥用量下的土壤氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放进行研究，并设置了5个处理：不施肥（N₀P₀K₀）、不施氮肥（N₀PK）、施氮150 kg·hm^-2（N₁PK）、施氮300 kg·hm^-2（N₂PK）、施氮450 kg·hm^-2（N₃PK）。结果表明：氨挥发速率和氧化亚氮排放通量均在施基肥和施追肥后第4天出现峰值和次峰值，且氨挥发速率和氧化亚氮排放通量均随着施氮量的增加而增大；各处理氨挥发累积量达到27.886～44.416 kg·hm^-2·a^-1，施氮处理氨挥发净损失量达到6.726～16.197 kg·hm^-2·a^-1，各处理氧化亚氮累积量达到341.616～531.960 g·hm^-2·a^-1，施氮处理氧化亚氮净损失量达到90.452～185.412 g·hm^-2·a^-1，氨挥发累积量和净损失量与氧化亚氮累积量和净损失量均随着施氮量的增加而增加；施氮处理氨挥发净损失率为2.720%～4.480%，氧化亚氮净损失率为0.038%～0.060%，氨挥发和氧化亚氮净损失率随着施氮量的增加均表现为先减小再增大；施用氮肥能显著增加0～20 cm和20～40 cm土层中铵态氮和硝态氮含量；相关分析表明，氨挥发速率和氧化亚氮排放通量与施氮量和土壤温度呈极显著正相关关系；N₂PK处理的库尔勒香梨产量最高，达到6 213.5 kg·hm^-2，且氨挥发净损失率和氧化亚氮净损失率均最小，为2.720%和0.038%。从库尔勒香梨园土壤氮素气态损失和生产角度看，纯氮用量为300 kg·hm^-2时最佳。     

Surface application of ammonium thiosulfate fertilizer to reduce volatilization of 1,3‐dichloropropene from soil

Atmospheric emission of the soil fumigant 1,3‐dichloropropene (1,3‐D) is of environmental concern because of its toxicity and carcinogenicity. Thiosulfate fertilizers have been found to rapidly transform 1,3‐D in soil to non‐volatile ions which are less toxic. We investigated the use of surface application of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) for reducing 1,3‐D volatilization. In packed soil columns, emission of 1,3‐D applied by sub‐surface injection decreased with increasing ATS application rate and the amount of water used for delivering ATS. When ATS was applied in 9 mm water at 64 g m⁻², total 1,3‐D emission was reduced by 61%. The reduction was 89% when ATS was applied at 193 g m⁻². Bioassays showed that ATS application did not affect the effectiveness of 1,3‐D for controlling citrus nematodes. In field plots where a 1,3‐D emulsified formulation was applied via sub‐surface drip, surface spray of ATS reduced 1,3‐D emissions by 50%, and by 71% when the surface was also covered with polyethylene film. ATS application had no effect on the efficacy of root‐knot nematode control or tomato yields. These results suggest that surface application of thiosulfate fertilizers may be a feasible and effective strategy for minimizing 1,3‐D emissions. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

完全不渗透膜对熏蒸剂大气散发的控制效果

为明确完全不透性膜(totally impermeable film,TIF)对熏蒸剂在田间应用时散发和残留的影响,采用静态散发箱技术测定了TIF与聚乙烯膜(polythene film,PE)对氯化苦、1,3-二氯丙烯(1,3-dichloropropene,1,3-D)和棉隆施用后所产生的异硫氰酸甲酯(methyl isothiocyanate,MITC)大气散发的控制效果,并应用气相色谱法检测了揭膜后3种熏蒸剂在土壤中的残留情况。结果表明,在20 g/m~2(棉隆为15 g/m~2)剂量下,氯化苦、1,3-D及MITC透过PE的累积散发率为施用量的6.42%、7.37%和22.27%,透过TIF的累积散发率为施用量的0、0.65%和2.05%,表明TIF极大地降低了熏蒸剂向大气的散发量,可有效控制熏蒸剂向大气扩散。揭膜后氯化苦及1,3-D在各处理土壤中的残留量均低于0.30 mg/kg,说明TIF没有增加土壤中氯化苦和1,3-D的残留量;但MITC(15 g/m~2)在TIF下10~20 cm土壤中的残留量在3.28~3.41 mg/kg之间,高于在PE下的残留量(0.46~0.47 mg/kg),表明TIF能提高MITC在土壤中的持效浓度。     

Nematode response to methyl bromide and 1,3‐dichloropropene soil fumigation at different temperatures

Several heat‐based methods, such as soil solarization, are being developed as alternative practices for managing soil‐borne pests and pathogens. The effectiveness of these practices is often inconsistent or marginal, thus commanding the need for their integration with other methods. The main objective of this study was to determine synergistic interaction between soil fumigants and temperature. Soil infested with citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans was exposed to methyl bromide or 1,3‐dichloropropene at various temperatures. Fumigant degradation was concurrently measured and concentration‐time index (ct) was calculated and correlated to the recovered nematode population. In untreated soil, nematode survival was not affected by temperatures of 20–30 °C, but was strongly reduced at ≥ 40 °C. In fumigated soil, nematode suppression was much greater at 30 °C than at 20 °C, and the ct required for nematode elimination at 30 °C was < 50% of that needed at 20 °C for both fumigants. These results suggest that these fumigants became more active with increasing temperature in the sub‐lethal temperature range. It also implies that, when integrated with a heat‐based practice, reduced rates of fumigants may provide adequate pest control, thus minimizing the environmental input of chemical fumigants. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of soil physical factors on methyl iodide and methyl bromide

Production and importation of methyl bromide is scheduled to be banned by 2001. Methyl iodide was evaluated as a possible replacement soil fumigant. The effects of soil moisture, temperature, soil texture and fumigation time on the efficacy of methyl iodide for the control of two common weeds, Abutilon theophrasti and Lolium multiflorum, were characterized and compared with those of methyl bromide. The optimal soil moisture for methyl iodide to kill both weed species in sandy soils was 14% water content (w/w). Greater efficacy was obtained when the temperature during fumigation was above 20°C. Compared to methyl bromide, the efficacy of methyl iodide was more consistent in different soils. Time to 100% mortality of weeds was 24 h for methyl iodide fumigation and 36 h for methyl bromide when 200 μM of fumigant was used. On a molar basis methyl iodide was consistently more effective than methyl bromide across the range of environmental factors tested. In terms of application technology and spectrum of activity, methyl bromide can be directly replaced by methyl iodide. © 1998 SCI     

The potential efficiency of irrigation management and propargyl bromide in controlling three soil pests: Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Fusarium oxysporum and Echinochloa crus-galli

Propargyl bromide (3-bromopropyne, 3BP) is a potential alternative for methyl bromide. Little information is available about its efficiency in controlling pests. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the 3BP dose required for killing three pests and to compare the efficiency of water management approaches to that of fumigation. The pests, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht (fungus), Echinochloa crus-galli (L) Beauv (grass) and Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb (nematode) were exposed to different 3BP concentrations in a sandy loam at 30 degrees C in a closed system. The lethal dose for killing 90% of the population (LD90) was calculated from the total applied mass, and varied from 0.3 microg g(-1) soil for the nematode, 3 microg g(-1) for the grass, and 9 microg g(-1) for the fungus. The concentration-time index for killing 90% of the population (CT90) was 11 microg g(-1) h for the nematode, 112 microg g(-1) h for the grass and 345 microg g(-1) h for the fungus. 3BP seems as efficient as other fumigant alternatives in controlling these pests. Using an open system, it was shown that the volume of soil in which the pests were controlled varied for different irrigation managements. Even 96 h after fumigation (with a concentration 10 times higher than would potentially be applied in the field), more than 20% of the soil volume had not reached the fungus and grass CT90 of the non-irrigated soil. The soil underneath the furrow and the bed reached CT90 only slowly in all irrigated treatments even though techniques for increasing efficiency were used (tarping, surface sealing with water and high application rate).