SECTION 3

 CHEMICAL AND NON-CHEMICAL ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE USE

 In this section possible alternatives to methyl bromide are discussed. It is important to

 remember that some of these alternatives should not be considered viable alternatives to methyl

 bromide at the present time, but rather construed as researchable alternatives. It is also

 important to remember that some of these methods may take several years to reduce pest

 populations to levels that enable the grower to produce crops that may be comparable to yields

 experienced when methyl bromide is used.

 There are numerous fumigant and non-fumigant alternatives that include the use of

 chemicals, cultural practices, biological controls, heat, and the concept of integrated pest

 management. Currently, some of these techniques are being evaluated and hold promise of

 being viable alternatives. However, none of the alternatives identified currently provides the

 efficacy exhibited by methyl bromide.

 The first category of alternatives includes fumigant chemicals Basamid, Vorlex, Vapam,

Telone, Chloropicrin, and reduced amounts of methyl bromide. The second category includes

non-chemical alternatives including crop rotation, cover crops, heat treatment, flooding,

biological controls, host plant resistance, and fallow land.


Chemical Alternatives to Methyl Bromide
Basamid-Granular

 Basamid-Granular is classified as a soil sterilant containing the active ingredient

dazomet. In some studies, it has been shown to be effective in the control of fungus, weeds,

nematodes, and soil insects. Basamid has been used in Europe for over 20 years, however this