Field Evaluation of a New Plastic Film (Vapor Safe) to Reduce Fumigant Emissions and Improve Distribution in Soil

Preplant soil fumigation is an important pest management practice in coastal California strawberry production regions. Potential atmospheric emissions of fumigants from field treatment, however, have drawn intensive environmental and human health concerns; increasingly stringent regulations on fumigant use have spurred research on low‐emission application techniques. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of a new low‐permeability film, commonly known as totally impermeable film (TIF), on fumigant emissions and on fumigant distribution in soil. A 50/50 mixture of 1,3‐dichloropropene (1,3‐D) and chloropicrin (CP) was shank‐applied at 314 kg ha−1 in two location‐separate field plots (0.4 ha each) in Ventura County, California, in fall 2009. One plot was surface‐covered with standard polyethylene (PE) film, and the other was covered with TIF immediately after fumigant application. Data collection included emissions, soil‐gas phase concentration profile, air concentration under the film, and soil residuals of the applied fumigants. Peak emission flux of 1,3‐D and CP from the TIF field was substantially lower than from the PE field. Total through‐film emission loss was 2% for 1,3‐D and