Chemical Soil Fumigation for Strawberry Nursery in Jalisco (Mexico): 2013–2014 Results of Semarnat/Unido Project

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the effectiveness of alternative fumigants on weed control and plant productivity in two nurseries located at high elevation and low latitude (Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco), during 2013 and 2014 at Driscoll’s and Lassen Canyon South nurseries. Treatments were: MB:chloropicrin (MB:CP); 1,3-dichloropropene:CP; CP alone; metam sodium (MS) alone; dimethyl disulphide (DMDS):CP; and sequentially applied CP and MS. A rotary spading machine was used for MS and CP followed by MS. All treatments produced similar pest suppression and runner-plant yields during 2013 and 2014. However, CP alone showed very poor control of the most abundant weed (barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli). Two years of work on MB alternatives were not sufficient to provide reliable recommendations on this critical need, therefore, the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee recommended critical use nomination for MB in 2015.