1. Methyl Bromide Alternatives in US/ California Dried Fruit and Nut Industries Gary Obenauf Agricultural Research Consulting Fresno, CA

2. Agricultural Research Consulting n Private Consultant n 1994 n Dried Fruits and Nuts since 1971

3. Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions n Chairman n Annually since 1994 n http://mbao.org

4. Crop Protection Coalition n US n Users of Methyl Bromide n MBAO

5. California Organization n Postharvest n Preplant

6. Alternatives Currently n Postharvest n Preplant

7. Implications for Dried Fruits n Postharvest n Depends Upon Registrations, Competitors n Preplant n More problems, too many parameters to control

8. ImportsImports n Treatments ok currently n If US loses use-growers will demand imports stop n Quarantine and Preshipment

9. OrganicOrganic n Temperature-Freeze n Controlled Atmospheres-Nitrogen n Turn Fruit

10. Two Types of Alternatives n Chemical Alternatives n Non-chemical Alternatives

11. Chemical Alternatives n Phosphine n Carbonyl sulfide (COS) n Methyl Iodide (CH 3 I) n Surfuryl Fluoride (SO 2 F 2 ) n Propylene Oxide (C 3 H 6 O) n Ozone (O 3 ) n Others: Ethyl formate, Pressurized CO 2, and HCN

12. SO 2 F 2 – Sulfuryl Fluoride ProFume® n Physical Parameters: –Boiling Pt. = -49.7 o C –Mol. Wt. = 102.07 n Ease of Application: Applied as a gas from cylinders. n Advantages: Very good penetration. Chemically inert. Little sorption on commodity or packing materials. Aerates quickly. n Disadvantages: Not a good ovicide.

13. SO 2 F 2 n Relative Toxicity: More toxic to all stages of insects except the egg stage when compared to methyl bromide. n Post-fumigation phytotoxicity: phytotoxic to citrus fruit. n Registration: Already registered for structural fumigation (Vikane®). Needs food tolerance.

14. Testing Alternative Fumigants vs Codling Moth Diapausing Larvae in Walnuts

15. Non-Chemical Alternatives Heat Vacuum Mating Disruption Insect Pathogens Biological Control Compression

16. Preliminary field studies with almonds – Vacuum Bags Preparing test insects Sealing bags

18. Methyl Bromide Use in California from CDPR PUR database

19. MeBr Use in California from CDPR PUR database

21. Fumigant Use in California from CDPR PUR database

22. Fumigant Use for Trees and Vines

23. Accelerated CA PhaseOut of MeBr n Increased cost (due to limited availability) –tripled in 4 years –Some uses are now priced out (trees and vines, vegetables) n New CA Regulations on Use –Very large buffers for most uses (840’ for 10 acre field; 220 ft for 1 ac; requires multiple applications to reduce buffers) –Very intensive notification requirements –Very restrictive worker hours

24. Fumigant Costs Per lb. AI Per acre, applied Methyl Bromide $2.70 $1700 (350 lb/ac, broadcast shank, tarped) Chlorpicrin$2.40 $1600 (350 lb/ac, broadcast shank, tarped) Telone (1,3-D) $1.60 $650 (35 gal/ac, broadcast shank) Metam Sodium (MITC) $0.80 $320 (75 gal/ac, shanked, water seal)

26. Experimental (Unregistered) Fumigants n Iodomethane (Midas) (methyl iodide) n Propargyl Bromide n Sodium Azide n Propylene Oxide n Furfural n DMDS

27. Enns Nectarines 1 st Yr Growth

29. Drip Application Equipment Flow meter Static mixer Injection port Water meter Nitrogen cylinder