April 2000
SAREP Marks Earth Day with Progress in Methyl Bromide Alternatives Grants
Six research projects and an on-farm demonstration focusing on alternatives to the ozone-depleting agricultural fumigant methyl bromide are reporting progress after a year of research. Funded by SAREP, the projects are addressing one of the most pressing problems of production agriculture, the use of methyl bromide as a pre-plant fumigant to eliminate nematodes, weeds and pathogens in agricultural systems such as strawberries, almonds and walnuts, and as a post-harvest control of insect pests. Methyl bromide is designated a Class I ozone depleter scheduled for a 100 percent phase out in the United States by 2005.
"We’re pleased that the projects we’ve funded are employing biologically based solutions relying on microorganisms, farming rotations that suppress soil-borne pathogens, the use of clean nursery material and resistant rootstocks, for instance," says Sean L. Swezey, SAREP director.
SAREP-funded projects are studying the use of containerized strawberry transplants to replace soil fumigation (Kirk Larson, UC Davis pomology department, Curt Gaines, Lassen Nursery), pursuing microbiological improvement of strawberry root health, growth, and yield (John Duniway, UC Davis plant pathology), investigating alternatives for control of soil-borne fungi, bacteria and weeds in coastal ornamental crops (James MacDonald, UC Davis plant pathology department, Clyde Elmore, UC Davis vegetable crops/weed science department, Steve Tjosvold, UC Cooperative Extension, Watsonville), addressing orchard replacement strategies for almonds, nectarines, peaches, plums, and prunes (Greg Browne, USDA-Agricultural Research Service/UC Davis plant pathology department, Tom Trout, USDA-Agricultural Research Service/Fresno), developing grape rootstocks with nematode resistance (Howard Ferris, UC Davis nematology department, Andrew Walker, UC Davis viticulture and enology department), using natural plant volatile compounds like acetaldehyde, and carbon dioxide fumigation for postharvest control of insects on strawberries (Elizabeth Mitcham, UC Davis pomology department), and working with an innovative strawberry grower group to demonstrate on-farm biointensive alternatives (Carolee Bull, USDA-Agricultural Research Service/Salinas).
Media Contacts:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
