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Presenter outlines soil fumigation timing, methods and safety precautions
Summary
At an agricultural workshop, a presenter said high soil moisture is essential for effective soil fumigation, recommended winter/early-spring timing in California unless irrigation provides moisture later, listed common fumigation methods, and urged adherence to product/manufacturer labels and local advisory help.
A presenter at an agricultural workshop said that high soil moisture is critical for effective soil fumigation and urged operators to follow product and manufacturer labels and seek local guidance.
"You need high soil moisture in order to maximize the efficacy of these fumigants," the presenter said, adding that moisture "closes off those cracks and pores in the soil and it holds those toxic gases in at a greater rate." They said as soils dry and cracks form, fumigants can dissipate and lose effectiveness.
The presenter said California's Mediterranean climate — with most rainfall in winter through early spring — makes those months preferable for fumigation, though some growers can use fumigants later in the year if irrigation provides sufficient soil moisture for containment. "Technically, you can use it later in the year if you have sufficient soil moisture from irrigation events," the presenter said.
The presenter listed several fumigation approaches that will be discussed at workshop stations, naming aluminum phosphide, pressurized exhaust machines, carbon dioxide injection devices and gas cartridges as options. They cautioned that pressurized exhaust machines may not be regulated as pesticides and stressed following manufacturers' instructions for such devices.
Emphasizing safety, the presenter urged attendees to "make sure that you understand the label of a product you're using" and, for non-pesticide devices, to review the manufacturer's safety precautions. They closed by advising participants to contact their county commissioner or local cooperative extension advisors with questions about specific products or site decisions.
The workshop will cover each method in more detail at separate stations; attendees were advised to consult label directions and local advisors before applying fumigants.
