IPM in the South

The Methyl Bromide Transitions program emphasizes commercial or field scale research targeting short- to medium-term solutions that will develop new alternatives to methyl bromide, result in registration and adoption of new alternatives, and/or minimize methyl bromide emissions.

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is a colorless, odorless gas used as an agricultural soil and structural fumigant to control a wide variety of pests and diseases. Because MeBr depletes the stratospheric ozone layer and is classified as a Class 1 ozone-depleting substance, the amount of MeBr produced in and imported into the US is being incrementally reduced. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean Air Act mandated the US to reduce methyl bromide production and net imports beginning in 1991. Although MeBr was supposed to be completely phased out in 2005, many applications still do not have effective alternatives. Therefore, each year the United Nations Environment Programme’s Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) allows each state to use a prescribed amount of methyl bromide, called a Critical Use Exemption.

State specialists submit Critical Use Nominations for an exemption when: 1) no alternatives currently exist that are technically and economically feasible; 2) there are no alternatives currently acceptable from a public health standpoint; and 3) an active research program is seeking viable alternatives to use of methyl bromide fumigation or seeking reduction in emissions for that nomination.

The following include projects in the Southern region funded under the Methyl Bromide Transitions program:

Methyl Bromide Alternatives For Yellow And Purple Nutsedge And Other Weeds In Tomato And Bell Pepper Plasticulture: An Integrated Approach	2009	Norsworthy, J. K.	University Of Arkansas
Evaluation Of Non-Fumigant Pesticides As Methyl Bromide Alternatives For Managing Soilborne Diseases And Weeds In Vegetable Production	2009	Ji, P.	University Of Georgia
Integrated Management Of Soilborne Pests In Strawberry And Vegetable Production Systems: Biological Systems And Chemical Alternatives To Methyl Bromide	2009	Louws, F. J.	North Carolina State Univ
Evaluation Of The Sustainability Of Methyl Bromide Alternatives In A Double Crop System	2008	MacRae, A. W.	University Of Florida
Grower Field Demonstration Trialing Of Gas Impermeable Plastic Mulches, Reduced Rates Of Soil Fumigants, And Optimized Irrigation And Cultural Practices	2008	Noling, J. W.	University Of Florida
Alternatives To Methyl Bromide For The Control Of Bacterial Wilt And Yellow Nutsedge In Tomatoes And Peppers Grown In Virginia	2008	Rideout, S. L.	Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Use Of Natural And Synthetic Isothiocyanates As Alternatives To Methyl Bromide For Pest Suppression In Vegetables	2007	Norsworthy, J. K.	University Of Arkansas
Evaluation Of Potential Alternatives To Methyl Bromide Fumigation In Dry Cured Ham And Aged Cheese Production	2007	Mikel, W. B.	Mississippi State Univ
Implementation Of Transitional Strategies To Replace Methyl Bromide In Florida Fruit And Vegetables Crops	2006	Noling, J. W.	University Of Florida
Integrated Management Strategies For Methyl Bromide Replacement In Golf Course Construction And Turfgrass Sod Production	2006	Unruh, J. B.	University Of Florida
Short-Term Methyl Bromide Alternatives For The Florida Floriculture Industry	2006	McSorley, R.	University Of Florida
Assisting Vegetable Growers In The Adoption Of Methyl Bromide Alternatives For Weeds, Diseases, And Nematodes	2006	Culpepper, A. S.	University Of Georgia
Evaluation Of Methyl Bromide Emissions And Potential Fumigation Alternatives In Dry Cured Ham Production	2006	Mikel, W. B.	Mississippi State Univ
Integrated Pest Management As Replacement For Methyl Bromide In A Centipedegrass-Based Sod Rotation System	2005	Walker, R. H.	Auburn University
Improved Sustainability Of Vegetable Production Systems By Reduced Fumigant Rates Combined With Low Permeability Film & Resistant Cultivars	2005	Dickson, D. W.	University Of Florida
Increasing Efficacy And Decreasing Application Rate Of Telone C35 With Carbon Dioxide And Wavelength Selective Plastic Mulch	2005	Thomas, J. E.	University Of Florida
Transition From Methyl Bromide In Cue Crops: On Farm Research, Training, And Extension In The Southeast	2005	Louws, F. J.	North Carolina State Univ
Use Of Natural And Synthetic Isothiocyanates As Alternatives To Methyl Bromide For Pest Suppression In Vegetables	2005	Norsworthy, J. K.	Clemson University
Replacing Methyl Bromide Using Integrated Systems Including Mulches, Herbicides, And Soil Fumigants	2004	Culpepper, A. S.	University Of Georgia
Development, Evaluation, And Extension Of Integrated Methyl Bromide Transition Strategies In Vegetable And Strawberry Production Systems	2004	Louws, F. J.	North Carolina State Univ
Vacuum For Post Harvest Disinfestation Of Insects From Durable And Fresh Commodities	2004	Phillips, T.	Oklahoma State University
Development Of Herbicide/Fumigant Combinations For Solanaceous Mulched Vegetables In Florida	2003	Gilreath, J. P.	University Of Florida
Utilization Of Soil Amendments And Brassica Winter Crops For Management Of Soilborne Pests And Diseases In Vegetable Plasticulture	2003	Csinos, A. S.	University Of Georgia
Effects Of Management Practices On Pests, Pathogens, And Beneficial In Soil Ecosystems	2002	McSorley, R. T.	University Of Florida
Integrated Approaches To Pest Management In Methyl Bromide Dependent Plasticulture Production Systems In The Southeastern United States	2002	Louws, F. J.	North Carolina State Univ
Optimization Of Metam Sodium Application Methods For Maximum Efficacy And Minimum Volatilization Losses	2002	Nelson, S. D.	Texas A & M University
Sodium Azide And Furfural-Based Biofumigants For Soil Pest Control In Crops	2001	Rodriguez-Kabana, R.	Auburn University
Biologically-Based Sustainable Tomato Production Systems Without Use Of Methyl Bromide	2001	Klassen, W.	University Of Florida
Multi-Tactic Approach To Pest Management For Methyl Bromide Dependent Crops In Florida	2001	Dickson, D. W.	University Of Florida
Replacement Of Methyl Bromide By Integrating The Use Of Alternative Soil Fumigants, Cultural Practices, And Herbicides For Tomato, Pepper	2001	Langston, D. B.	University Of Georgia

 The following table lists MBT funding received by southern states since 2001:

State	Grant Totals
Alabama	$656,615
Arkansas	$648,366
Florida	$3,239,523
Georgia	$1,880,598
North Carolina	$1,667,612
Oklahoma	$230,427
South Carolina	$364,727
Texas	$300,000
Virginia	$395,972

Filed under: Budget, Pesticides Tagged: | Clean Air Act, Congressional budget, methyl bromide, Montreal Protocol, ozone depletion, Section 406, soil fumigants