Recent studies of measures to improve basamid soil disinfestation

Basamid micro-granule is used worldwide as a broad spectrum soil fumigant generator and has replaced methyl bromide for many applications. A lot is known for decades regarding the factors determining the success of the application from soil preparation and conditions to the application and soil sealing or soil tarping, as well as the operations and hygienic measures after the fumigant contact time. This paper explains last 6 years studies regarding the improvement of application methods, both from the viewpoint of homogenous incorporation of the granule over the soil profile to become treated as well as from possible premature loss of the gaseous active methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) by using improved tarping materials. Both result in lower environmental exposure and better biological performance of the application. In that respect, product incorporation in soil was studied in France and in Italy with more recent commercially available Basamid application machinery, and 29 plastic films have been compared for their MITC barrier properties with an 'in house' developed method. Film testing allowed clear categorizing in standard (monolayer) films, V.I.F. (Virtually Impermeable Film) and T.I.F. (Totally Impermeable Film). The paper presents the methodology for granule incorporation study and results from trials with two specific Basamid application machines compared with a classic rotovator, the methodology and comparison of plastic film barrier properties testing, and directives to minimize exposure and to maximize performance.