Abstract. Methyl bromide (MeBr)
is an important and effective soil fumigant commonly used to control
weeds and soilborne pests. Because MeBr has been implicated as a contributor
to the depletion of stratospheric ozone, it is scheduled for phaseout.
This study examined nonchemical and chemical practices as alternatives
to MeBr. Off-season flooding followed by a series of soil preplant
chemical treatments [MeBr with 33% Pic; 1,3-D mixed with 17% (C-17)
and 35% (C-35) Pic combined with Peb; and metam-na combined with 1,3-D
and Peb were evaluated on spring tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
and eggplant (Solanum melongena) production in northern Florida. Pest
conrol and tomato and eggplant yields were not significantly different
between the flooded and non-flooded control plots. The most effective
alternatives to MeBr were 1,3-D and Pic mixtures (C-17 and C-35) combined
with Peb. Tomato and eggplant yields for these chemicals were statistically
equivalent to that of MeBr. Tomato, but not eggplant, yield and nematode
control were poor with metam-Na combined with 1,3-D and Peb in comparison
to the other fumigant combinations. Chemical names used: 1,3-dichloropropene
(1,3-D); trichloronitromethane [chloropicrin (Pic)]; S-propylbutyl(ethyl)thiocarbamate
[pebulate (Peb)]; sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam-sodium (metam-Na)].
