Off-tarp emissions, distribution, and efficacy of carbonated fumigants in a low permeability film tarped field

Highlight
- Solutions to reduce emission and improve fumigant dispersion are needed in orchard.
- Low permeability films (TIF) improve fumigation efficacy than polyethylene film.
- Carbonation didn't show the improvement on fumigation efficacy in sandy loam soils
- Off-edge emissions were lower when fumigants are injected deeper than shallower.
- TIF film extension can be an effective solution to reduce off-tarp edge emissions.

Carbonated fumigants have been shown to distribute quickly and uniformly in sandy soils and improve pest control efficacy for annual crops. Low permeability films, such as VaporSafe® (TIF), could further improve fumigant dispersion by effectively retaining the fumigant in soil; however, there is a concern that the TIF can lead to higher off-tarp edge emissions. An orchard field trial was conducted to determine the off-tarp emissions, distribution, efficacy, and fate of carbonated Telone® C35 [63.4% 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), 34.7% chloropicrin (CP)] that was shank-injected at 46 cm soil depth. Treatments included carbonated fumigants at full- or 2/3 rates and a full rate of regular (nitrogen-pressurized) fumigants covered with standard polyethylene (PE) film, TIF, or no surface seal. Fumigant emissions at the regular tarp edge (25 cm from the shank line) peaked at 3.98 μg m− 2 s− 1 for 1,3-D and 0.05 μg m− 2 s− 1 for CP. The addition of a TIF tarp extension (to 85 cm from the shank line) reduce peak off-tarp emissions to < 1 and < 0.03 μg m− 2 s− 1 for 1,3-D and CP, respectively. Fumigant concentration under TIF was usually at least twice that under PE regardless of carbonation. Carbonation at 345 KPa with 1.5% of dissolved CO2 did not significantly improve fumigant dispersion in soil profile compared to the conventional nitrogen pressurization. In a citrus nematode bioassay, only the 2/3 rate of carbonated fumigation treatment sealed with PE failed to control nematodes at 25 cm away from shank line. This research indicates that a 60-cm TIF extension can effectively reduce off-tarp edge emissions in strip fumigation treatments. While the adaptability of carbonation of fumigants is still questionable, further research efforts are needed in finding effective solutions to control plant parasitic nematodes, which remain a challenge in orchard fumigation.

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