A synopsis of their responses follows. Soil Fumigation Alternatives Soil fumigation accounts for 80 percent of methyl bromide usage. Telone is most likely the front-runner, but it has drawbacks. In order to apply Telone in Florida, 300-foot buffer zones are required on agricultural lands abutted by occupied structures. So, on a 22-acre rectangular farm surrounded by occupied structures, the farmer could grow only on the center 8 acres, according to Noling, adding pressure to an already tense situation.
Growers are keenly aware of the status of methyl bromide alternatives.
One hurricane can undo all the preparation work done during the summer. In California, Vapam, Telone, and chloropicrin are the weapons of choice. But, Telone, a very good nematicide, can be used there only on an extremely limited basis due to regulatory restrictions. Caps limit Telone use in a township to 5,000 to 9,000 gallons per year and require 300-foot buffer zones. Once the cap is reached, no more Telone can be applied within the township borders, which means the chemical is not available to the remaining growers there.