Alternatives to Methyl Bromide in strawberry cultivations

Soil fumigation using methyl bromide before planting allowed the same crop to be cultivated on the same soil with effective soilborne crop pest control and an ensuing increase in production. Strawberry cultivation used this geo-disinfestation technique and the abolition of the chemical product has forced research to study alternative methods. This study presents the results of an experimental trial carried out in Sicily aimed at identifying the effect of alternatives to methyl bromide on soil disinfestation. The trial was carried out in 2006-2007 by DAAT and by the Assessorato Agricoltura e Foresta, XI servizio Regionale - Servizi allo Sviluppo at our experimental farm located in Marsala, on the western coast of Sicily, under multispan plastic tunnels of 1200 m 2. The experimental design used was a split-plot with four replications and soil treatment was the main factor: solarization with green PE, solarization with white PE, biocidal dried pellets, Metam-sodium (42%) +Etaprof (19%), Chloropicrin (18%) +1,3-D (16%), control (non fumigated soil) while the use or non use of organic matter (manure) (15 t/ha) was secondary. Tudla fresh plants were used. The results of our study highlight that in soil used for strawberry cultivation, chloropicrin +1,3D disinfestation and soil solarization represent a good alternative to Methyl Bromide