Whether you are getting into growing or you have been doing it for a while, soil fumigation is a critical practice for controlling pest and disease infestation before planting. This practice takes advantage of a broad variety of chemicals, including pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and nematicides. Therefore, they get rid of insects, weeds, bacteria, fungi, weed seeds, soil-borne organisms, and nematodes. These chemicals are available as volatile liquids, liquefied gases, or granules.
Effective Methods of Fumigation
There are two effective techniques for soil fumigation. The first is the prophylactic method, where treatment is short but routinely carried out as a preventative measure. Secondly, there is the applied (responsive) technique, where fumigation is undertaken during the first signs of infestation.
Common Soil Fumigants
- Methyl bromide: Prevalently used in pre-planting fumigation for a select number of crops.
- Chloropicrin: Typically used as a herbicide, nematicide, insecticide, and fungicide.
- Organophosphate insecticides: These pesticides work by damaging the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which is critical for controlling nerve signals within the pest’s body, killing it.
- Dichloropropane: This insecticide excels in controlling peachtree borers and is also utilized on soil and grain.
- Propylene oxide: Also known as PPO, this fumigant is currently under research and development as a replacement for Methyl Bromide.
The Fundamental Steps of Soil Fumigation
- Applying fumigants: This involves spreading the fumigants into the farm’s soil to control diseases and harmful organisms.
- Fumigant dissemination: Once the application is completed, the fumigants begin to disseminate into volatiles that radiate through the air spaces in the soil from the point of injection.
- Soil conditioning: The native soil microbes help condition the soil into the best shape for planting as the treatment has already minimized the harmful pathogens.
- Fumigant decomposition: Fumigants such as chloropicrin biodegrade into plant nutrients, and others quickly decompose in the soil.
- Crop planting: Now, the soil is safe for crop planting. Make sure that the soil sits for between 14 and 20 days after fumigation before you start planting.
- Healthy plant germination and growth: Since there are no pests, diseases, or insects in the soil, the plants germinate and thrive.
Is Soil Fumigation Important?
Yes, soil fumigation is essential. This is because it provides an easy solution for controlling soil-borne pests, insects, and diseases. Additionally, fumigation makes it possible for the treatment to get into cracks and crevices, ensuring zero insect tolerance. If the fumigation site is adequately aerated, the hazardous chemical residues and odors will quickly dissipate, leaving no trace.
Do You Need Agricultural Consulting Services in Washington State?
Come to Custom Orchard Fumigation, a premier agricultural consulting enterprise in Washington State. We have outstanding niche experience in soil fumigation, making us the only agricultural consultant in Pasco, WA. In addition to soil fumigation and agricultural consultancy, we also provide soil amendment services. Our founder Chris Ford spent decades working in Forest Management before starting the enterprise in 1992. At Custom Orchard Fumigation, we are committed to helping you revitalize the soil on your farm in the surrounding areas. Call us today.