Dr. J. Michael Moore, University of Georgia Extension tobacco specialist, and Dr. Paul Bertrand, University of Georgia Extension pathologist, gives a regulatory requirements for use of certain fumigant materials below:
We are concerned that we did not include in the earlier update the additional regulatory requirements now in place when chloropicrin is chosen as a substitute for Telone II for nematode control. The most current information on this topic is available from the EPA website listed below and on the UGA Tobacco Website. Additional information is available on the Georgia Commercial Vegetable Information Soil Fumigant Regulations page.
Timely Tobacco Information (from the UGA Tobacco Website http://www.GeorgiaTobacco.com )
Soil Fumigant Regulations
Telone II shortages will result in a need for tobacco growers to prepare Fumigant Management Plans, get fit tested for a respirator mask, have two (2) handlers with fit tested respirators on-hand when fumigants are being applied when they choose to use fumigants containing chloropicrin (Pic Plus).
Telone II was not a part of the current re-registration and will not be affected by the new regulations. However, it has been reported that Telone II will not be available in adequate supplies at the time of fumigation for tobacco production.
See information on soil fumigant regulations and requirements at the following sites:
EPA Implementation of Risk Mitigation Measures for Soil Fumigant Pesticides Toolbox
http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/
Georgia Commercial Vegetable Information Soil Fumigant Regulations http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fruits/veg/fumigant.html
(Below from: Disease and Nematode Management in Field Crops: Tobacco 3-33
Charles S. Johnson, Extension Plant Pathologist, Southern Piedmont AREC, VPI&SU, Blackstone, VA
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/456/456-016/Section_3_Diseases_and_Nematodes-6.pdf )
Fumigation
MANY VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE CHLOROPICIN, TELONE C-17, AND METAM SODIUM (VAPAM, ETC.) SOIL FUMIGANT LABELS IN 2011. Significant new requirements include:
- fit-testing and mandated use of full-face respirators;
- written “fumigant management plans” or FMPs;
- on-site SCBAs at application;
- air monitoring in special circumstances;
- increased posting of treated fields; and
- extension of 48 hour reentry intervals (REIs) to 5-day “entry restricted periods” (ERPs).
FMPs must be completed before application, and include documenting the site(s) to be fumigated, handler information, compliance with mandatory good agricultural practices (GAPs), as well as weather conditions surrounding soil fumigation. A “post-application summary” must also be completed for each fumigation. FMPs and post-application summaries must be maintained for 2 years. Even more requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2012, which include buffer zones around fumigated fields, minimum distances for treated fields from sites that would be difficult to evacuate (schools, etc.) and official notification requirements. Growers who fumigate soil need to familiarize themselves with all of these new requirements.
Field Procedures - Performance of all or most field procedures must be documented in the GAP section of the FMP for chloropicrin products, Telone C-17, and metam sodium products. Soil should be in good seed bed condition, free of clods and undecomposed plant material, and with soil moisture at about 1/2 of field capacity when fumigants are applied. If undecomposed plant material is present, plow down and allow to decompose before applying fumigant. Soil temperature should be 50° to 80° F at the depth of injection. Fumigants can be applied by the following procedure:
1) Row treatment - inject the fumigant 6-8 inches deep with one chisel-type applicator in center of the row. In the same operation as fumigant application, seal the soil by bedding the fumigated row area with enough soil to bring the soil surface 14-16 inches above the point of infection;
2) Broadcast treatment - Space chisels 8 inches apart and inject fumigant 10 to 12 inches below the soil surface. Immediately seal in the fumigant with a roller, drag, disc, or similar equipment. After fumigation, leave soil undisturbed for an ‘exposure period’ of 7-14 days. Cold, wet soil retards diffusion of fumigants and requires a longer exposure period. Soil should be aerated at the end of the exposure period. Planting is generally considered safe when a residual odor of the fumigant is no longer detectable in the soil root zone. This condition is usually reached within 3 weeks after fumigation.
The following procedures can be used to hasten aeration, especially if rains or cold temperatures occur during the exposure period:
1) Row - Use a chisel in the bed without turning the soil;
2) Broadcast - Plow or cultivate above the depth of the treatment zone. Caution: In both types of treatment, avoid contamination of treated soil with untreated soil. Do not rehill row if there is a danger of contamination with untreated soil. Do not use tools, equipment, and/or residues that are contaminated with soil-borne pathogens. Remember, plant injury will occur if fumigant is still present in the soil at transplanting.
I (Eddie McGriff) have talked to Hendrix and Dail representative William Upchurch (contact for chloropicrin) about the regulatory requirements and they do have on-site assistance available for $10/acre to meet these requirements. William’s phone number is 229-387-1410 if you would like to discuss the use of chloropicrin with him.
