Chemical and non-chemical alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation of soil for strawberry production

Strawberries have been the target of research to find alternatives to methyl bromide (MB) as this crop is the largest single consumer of the chemical in Spain using 800 tonnes for fruit production and 237 tonnes in mother plant production. Electromagnetic waves (EW), Solarization (Sol), Biofumigation (Bio), Metham Sodium (MNa), Dazomet (Daz), 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) and Chloropicrin (Pic) were evaluated alone or in combination as alternatives for Methyl Bromide (MB) in strawberry production over a three-year period at two locations. The GGE biplot method was employed to study the MB alternative by environment two-way data. This method graphically displays MB alternative by environment data and hence facilitates the pattern of MB alternative performance across environments. 1,3-D plus 35% Pic (Telone C35), Pic alone, MB shank-applied to preformed beds under black polyethylene films and under black virtually impermeable films performed as well as the standard methyl bromide treatment and resulted in greatest total yield, early and total fruit weights. In addition, these treatments together with Daz and Sol plus MB resulted in greatest early yield.