Alternatives
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In the EU countries, non chemical & chemical alternatives to methyl bromide (MB) are available and have been adopted in several uses in soil disinfestations and in post harvest sector. The latest published alternatives to Methyl Bromide are listed bellow. The displayed entries are retrieved from all categories (Chemical, New chemicals and Non chemicals). To view more alternatives please select the category of interest, on the right menu. |
Biological Soil Disinfestation (BSD), a new control method for potato brown rot, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 [2008-07-21]
The potential of Biological Soil Disinfestation (BSD) to control potato brown rot, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, was investigated. BSD involves the induction of anaerobic soil conditions by increasing microbial respiration through incorporation of fresh organic amendments (here: grass or potato haulms) and by reducing re-supply of oxygen by covering with airtight plastic sheets. Control treatments were left without cover and amendment, or amended without covering or covered only without amendment. The effect of BSD on survival of R. solanacearum was tested at three different scales: in 1-l glass mesocosms under laboratory conditions, in 1.2-m-diam microplots positioned in an outdoor quarantine field, and in a naturally infested commercial field. Within a few days, anaerobic conditions developed in the BSD-treated soils. Read more
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) [2008-07-18]
IPM intends an effective control of soil borne pathogens based on combination of chemical, biological, cultural-technical practices. At the moment, there is no real alternative to Methylbromide (MBr) with the same efficiency, no single fumigation product, no chemical component, no biological or cultural substitute. However, in literature, promising alternatives are cited with potential to stimulate growth, protection of plants against soil borne diseases and pests (nematodes) which are active under well defined condition, in specific crops. Read more
Soilless Cultures or Hydroponics [2008-07-18]
One of the alternatives for the use of methyl bromide (Braun and Supkoff, 1994) in protected cultivation is hydroponics or soilless culture. Now, tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, and some flower crops, such as roses, gerbera and orchids are widely grown commercially on artificial substrates such as stone wool, coir, perlite and pumice. In the Netherlands the use of methyl bromide has been decreased to zero, because of the mentioned change to soilless growing systems and the legislation against application introduced simultaneously since the early eighties. Initially, hydroponic growing systems have been developed to get higher yields and a better quality, later, to avoid emissions of water, fertilisers and pesticides to the environment. Read more