April 8, 1996
Case Studies Document Successful Alternatives to Methyl
Bromide
A report released by the Australian government presents four
working examples of successful agricultural production in
flowers, strawberries, cucurbits and tomatoes, without the
use of the ozone depleting pesticide methyl bromide. The
farmers profiled in the report have either never used methyl
bromide, have stopped using it, or are phasing it out -- in
each case with little effect on production yields. The study,
"Agricultural Production without Methyl Bromide -- Four Case
Studies," was prepared by the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Division of
Entomology in Australia, in collaboration with the
governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, and funded by
environmental protection agencies in Australia, Canada and
the U.S.
Cut flower production in Colombia supplies 10% of the world
export market of floricultural products. Historically,
Colombia has never used methyl bromide due to prohibitive
costs and difficulties of importing, managing and applying
this highly toxic chemical. Additionally, soils used in
Colombian floricultural are generally acidic and very high in
organic matter content, resulting in extended methyl bromide
retention in the soil. Rather than using methyl bromide,
flower farms in Colombia disinfect the soil through a
combination of composting, steam, and application of various
biocides, nematicides and fungicides (such as tolclofos
methyl and metalaxyl). The Colombian floricultural industry
has succeeded without methyl bromide through the utilization
of integrated pest management (IPM) and knowledge-intensive
methods that have enabled farmers to increase efficiency and
compete successfully in the world market.
Strawberry and cucurbit production in the Netherlands are
also examined in the report. In 1981 the Dutch government
instituted a gradual phaseout of methyl bromide due to
studies that showed clear evidence of extensive contamination
of air, soil, water and food, as well as public health risks
when methyl bromide application sites were close to housing
areas. The phaseout consisted of several steps including
improved application methods to reduce emissions, adoption of
an IPM system and development of new cultural techniques.
When the last methyl bromide permit was canceled in 1991,
strawberry and cucurbit production continued unabated with
little or no loss in yields. In fact, according to the CSIRO
report, Dutch glasshouse strawberry and cucurbit producers
have actually doubled their yields since the phase out of
methyl bromide.
Important changes in Dutch strawberry production include:
1) the development of techniques to chill plants, providing
farmers with greater flexibility in the timing of fruit
production to optimize market prices and improve management
of fungal diseases;
2) the introduction of double cropping, whereby greenhouse
farmers produce two crops from one planting; and
3) the development of artificial substrates which helps avoid
pests and diseases associated with producing strawberries in
soil.
The primary change in Dutch cucurbit production was the
introduction of artificial substrates, which is now used in
approximately 90% of production. As with strawberries,
greater management flexibility has enabled Dutch cucurbit
farmers to market produce when demand and prices are high,
due to the absence of cheaper imports.
The CSIRO report also reviewed tomato production in Italy,
that nation's most important vegetable crop. National
legislation passed in June 1994, placed restrictions on
methyl bromide, including lowering the maximum application
rate, prohibiting its use within 50 meters of human dwellings
and restricting its use to every second year for a given plot
of land.
According to the report, Italian tomato producers still use
substantial quantities of methyl bromide, but several
alternatives are also used, such as soil solarization and
associated techniques, pest resistant varieties, crop
rotation and specific lower toxicity pesticides. Although
solarization produces yields and quality comparable to or
better than methyl bromide, the majority of Italian tomato
producers have yet to make this switch in production and
technology. However, with recent changes in Italian law
governing methyl bromide application, it appears likely that
growers will be forced to adopt new strategies.
These case studies demonstrate that alternatives to methyl
bromide do exist and that the crops most dependent to methyl
bromide in the U.S., (strawberries and tomatoes) are being
grown profitably without the pesticide in other countries.
Source: "Agricultural Production Without Methyl Bromide -
Four Case Studies," H.J. Banks, editor/coordinator;
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization,
Division of Entomology, 1995.
Contact: Michelle Horan, Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Division of
Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra A.C.T. 2601, Australia;
phone (61-6) 246- 4201l fax (61-6) 246 4202; email
michelleh@ento.csiro.au.
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