THE SPANISH PROJECT ON ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE (1): THE CASE OF STRAWBERRY IN THE AREA OF HUELVA

Short-term chemical and non?chemical alternatives to the use of methyl bromide (MB) were tested in two field experiments (Moguer and Cartaya) in the coastal area of Huelva.
Description of alternatives and provisional results in 1997-1998, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons are discussed.
The results have shown that chemical treatments (Chloropicrin, Telone, C-35 and Dazomet) gave the best morphological traits (number of leaves and diameter of plants) and agronomical ones (yield and fruit weight), with no significant differences from several MB treatments.
Soil solarization combined with chemicals (Metam Sodium) ranked at a lower level of productivity than the former treatments.
Soil solarization alone or in combination with biofumigation and no pre-plant fumigation produced the lowest yield.
These first data of the Spanish national project in the area of Huelva support that short-term alternatives to MB exist.
However, we have taken a cautious approach as it is necessary to know the long-term effects of the lack of MB fumigation and the economical evaluation of new alternatives is under way.

IV International Strawberry Symposium

J.M. López-Aranda, J.J. Medina, L. Miranda, R. Bartual, V. Cebolla, F. Domínguez, J. López-Medina

chemicals, solarization, combinations, dosage reductions, dazomet, VIF plastic

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.567.88