U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Water Management Research: Parlier, CA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Research Units
                        San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center
                                    Commodity Protection and Quality Research
                                    Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research
                                    National Arid Land Plant Genetic RepositorySearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Pacific West Area Parlier, California San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center Water Management Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Wang, Dongitem
                                            Browne, Gregitem
                                            Gao, Suduanitem
                                            Hanson, Bradleyitem
                                            Gerik, Jamesitem
                                            QIN, RUIJUN - University Of Californiaitem
                                            THARAYIL, NISHANTH - Clemson University
  Submitted to: Environmental Science and Technology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2009
                                    Publication  Date: 7/8/2009
                                    Citation: Wang, D., G. Browne, S. Gao, B. Hanson, J. Gerik, R. Qin, N. Tharayil. 2009. Spot fumigation: fumigant gas dispersion and emission characteristics. Environ. Sci. Technol. 43:5783-5789.Interpretive Summary: The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California is a major agricultural area in the United States, where a significant portion of the farm lands are orchards of various fruit and nut trees, and they undergo replanting when an orchard reaches the end of economically productive life.  Pre-plant soil fumigation is used widely to prevent replant problems of a complex of soil physical, chemical, and biological origin often dominated by soil-borne pests and diseases associated with the previous orchard.  The air quality in SJV has also been among the worst because of the unique topography of the valley and large emissions of air pollutants from various sources including agricultural pesticides.  A two-year replicated field study was conducted to develop and demonstrate site-specific application or drip spot application of soil fumigants only at tree sites with significantly reduced rates and treated areas per orchard.  A significant contribution of the Spot Fumigation, as compared to the broadcast shank injection, is the dramatic reduction in total quantity of fumigant chemicals applied to an overall land area.  A unique aspect about the low amount of fumigants needed is to help address the township cap limitations in SJV to protect and improve the regional air quality.  The approach should be considered by regulators and growers as a practical and economical alternative, among other techniques such as plastic film cover, surface organic amendment, or applying water.
                                Technical Abstract: Reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fumigant pesticides is mandatory in California, especially in “nonattainment areas” that do not meet federal air quality standards such as in the San Joaquin Valley.  A two-year field study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a site-specific application of fumigant chemicals only at tree sites with dramatically reduced rates for orchard replant.  Soil gas distribution and atmospheric emission of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin were measured after “Spot Fumigation” with InLine® using subsurface drip irrigation.  Based on soil concentration measurement and a concentration-time analysis, satisfactory pest control can be expected within 15 cm in radius from the injection point, and some degree of control from 15 to 51 cm radial distance of the fumigant source.  Cumulative emission was 18-23% of applied active ingredient in a cover crop treatment and 2-6% in a no crop treatment.  Considering the significantly small amount of fumigant used, the Spot Fumigation approach can achieve a 10-fold reduction in atmospheric VOCs load from fumigant pesticides.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov