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Fumigation of soil with methyl bromide to kill diapausing Colorado beetles
Author(s) -
POWELL D. F.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.928
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-3059
pISSN - 0032-0862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3059.1981.tb01248.x
Subject(s) - fumigation , bromide , biology , horticulture , water content , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , botany , agronomy , zoology , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
SUMMARY Diapausing adult Colorado beetles ( Leptinotarsa decenilineata (Say)) were buried at various depths up to 30 cm in the soil of an experimental plot in Hertfordshire in July 1977. The plot was then covered with polythene sheeting and fumigated with methyl bromide at a rate of 1 kg/10 m 2 . Gas concentrations were measured at the soil surface and at a depth of 23 cm during the four days following application of the gas; leakage of gas along the edges of the plot was also measured. The gas concentrations achieved within the plot during the first eight hours (minimum 37 mg/1.) were more than sufficient to kill Colorado beetle and none of the test insects survived. Plots in Suffolk were fumigated in March 1979 witiiout test insects to determine the gas concentrations and distribution in a soil differing in temperature, moisture content and degree of compaction. Penetration and distribution of the gas were less good in these plots, the soil of which was colder, wetter and more lumpy than that in the Hertfordshire plot, and the concentration of gas was insufficient in some places to guarantee killing Colorado beetles.