Abstract
Plasticulture is important to the success of the vegetable industry in Florida. Soil fumigation using methyl bromide and chloropicrin has been a standard. Due to the phase out of methyl bromide in 2005, effective alternatives to methyl bromide are needed to maintain profitability in vegetable production using plasticulture. The soil fumigant, 1,3-dichloropropene, has been at the focus of research for alternatives to methyl bromide in Florida. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various formulations and rates of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin when chemigated into a drip irrigation system for the control of nutsedge using two types of polyethylene mulch. Significantly fewer nutsedges emerged through the VIF film compared with the low-density film when the soil was treated with InLine at both rates and when Telone C-35 was injected into the soil. No differences in nutsedge emergence were observed between the two mulches when no fumigant was used or when Telone EC was applied at 14 gallons/acre.
