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Incompatibility of metam sodium with halogenated fumigants

Mingxin Guo1, Scott R Yates, Sharon K Papiernik

  • 1Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. mingxin.guo@ucr.edu

Pest Management Science
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Metam sodium (metam) is incompatible with halogenated fumigants, causing their rapid degradation. Simultaneous soil application reduces pest control efficacy, recommending sequential or depth-separated treatments for combined use.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Chemistry
  • Soil Science
  • Pest Management

Background:

  • Metam sodium (metam) is a common soil fumigant used for broad-spectrum pest control.
  • Combined application with other fumigants aims for synergistic pesticidal effects.
  • Compatibility of metam with halogenated fumigants is crucial for effective soil fumigation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the chemical compatibility of metam sodium with several halogenated fumigants.
  • To determine the degradation rates of halogenated fumigants when mixed with metam sodium.
  • To assess the impact of simultaneous application on pest control efficacy in soil.

Main Methods:

  • Metam sodium and halogenated fumigants (1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, propargyl bromide) were simultaneously introduced into organic solvents, water, and moist soils.
  • Metam-induced degradation of halogenated fumigants was quantified using chemical analysis.
  • Field application simulations using Telone C-35 and Vapam in soil were conducted to assess degradation and efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Halogenated fumigants rapidly degraded when mixed with metam sodium in all tested media (solvents, water, soil).
  • Degradation rates increased with higher concentrations of metam sodium and varied by fumigant species.
  • In soil, metam sodium decomposed 15-95% of halogenated fumigants within 72 hours at a 1:1 molar ratio.
  • Simultaneous application of Telone C-35 and Vapam led to complete chloropicrin disappearance and partial 1,3-D degradation within 8 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Metam sodium is chemically incompatible with halogenated fumigants, leading to significant degradation.
  • Simultaneous application at the same soil depth is unlikely to maximize pest control due to fumigant inactivation.
  • Sequential application or application at different soil depths is recommended for effective combined use of metam sodium and halogenated fumigants.

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