PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The management of soil-borne pests in intensive horticultural systems was based for years on the use of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant. However, this chemical reacts in the atmosphere to release elemental bromine, which is severely damaging to the ozone layer. It was the subject of phase-out requirements under international agreements in the 1990s. The phasing out of methyl bromide was made possible by the availability of alternatives that could replace it in pest and pathogen control. The best chemical alternatives have been 1,3-Dichloropropene, Chloropicrin, and MITC (methyl isothiocyanate) generators. However, these chemicals are still a source of environmental pollution.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the SustUse Fumigants project was to demonstrate the environmentally-sustainable use of chemical fumigants for the control of soil-borne pathogens in the horticultural sector. It ultimately aimed to reduce fumigant use across Europe and thus contribute to sustainable development objectives. The project planned to analyse pest constraints in target agro-ecosystems within nine project areas (four in Italy; three in Greece; and two in Poland), using a common monitoring plan for soil-borne diseases. A series of 24 demonstration tests of pest-management techniques were also planned, to test different levels and combinations of fumigants and non-chemical alternatives, application methods and doses. Non-chemical practices to be tested included soil solarisation, grafting, biocontrol agents, compost use and steam. The ultimate aim was to conduct technical-economic assessments to indicate which environmentally-sustainable approaches are most economically sustainable.
RESULTS
The SustUse Fumigants project demonstrated the sustainable use of chemical fumigants for the control of soil-borne pathogens in the horticultural sector. By applying IPM (Integrated Pest Management) principles to manage soil-borne diseases of horticultural crops, and by promoting alternative methods or reduced doses of chemical fumigants, the project supported EU policy for achieving sustainable pesticide use. The project team identified pest and pathogen constraints in nine project areas. In these areas, management approaches to be adopted were defined and implemented. This was achieved through the application of a series of best practices in soil-borne pest management in 24 pilot farms (13 in Greece, 7 in Italy and 4 in Poland). The results of the application of the best practices for sustainable fumigant use were tested and used as a benchmark for drafting specific guidelines on the management and implementation of soil fumigation and soil disease control.
The project team comprised AGROINNOVA and Dow AgroSciences in Italy; the Department of Plant Pathology of the Agricultural University of Athens in Greece; and the Research Institute of Horticulture and the JWC Project consultancy in Poland. This consortium enabled a variety of cropping systems (e.g. tomatoes, melon, strawberries, cucumber) and target pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora, Verticillium, Fusarium) to be investigated in terms of best treatment practices (e.g. soil solarisation, chemical soil disinfection, biofumigation and grafting). The results of economic and environmental assessments of site-specific fumigation and non-chemical methods in the three countries concluded that alternative methods, even when they fully substituted for chemical control, have a more beneficial impact both economically and environmentally. Similarly, the association of different practices has provided interesting results, confirming the effectiveness of the integrated approach. The best practices are relevant to two agro-ecosystems of Mediterranean agriculture (Italy and Greece) and a system typical of Central Europe (Poland).
The project contributed to the implementation of the Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides and the Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (2009/128/EC), which includes an obligation to apply the principles of IPM on farms. The project also supports Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. In addition, the project results have informed regional and national regulatory frameworks, such as the Italian Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.
By demonstrating the viability of reducing chemical inputs and the possibility of applying them in combination with simple adjustments, the project showed how health risks and environmental pollution can be dramatically reduced. Furthermore, the project demonstrated how a correct use of the machinery needed for the application of fumigants can further increase the efficacy and efficiency of the treatment. An innovative technology for active steam disinfection was tested, along with new solutions to reduce energy costs and the overall costs for the treatment. The demonstrations in Poland verified the performance of machinery under different soil and climatic conditions. The project also demonstrated innovative methodologies, such as the use of powdered oil extracted from Brassica carinata for biofumigation (a practice normally carried out by ploughing in Brassica species).
The project trained technical operators in fumigation and organised study visits to pilot farms in the three countries. Project actions raised awareness and provided information and guidelines to support the implementation of IPM for the control of soil-borne pests and pathogens. The project’s approach can be easily replicated in other EU countries, as its implementation was in areas representative of the main European agricultural systems.
After the phase out of the soil fumigant methyl bromide in 2005, some phytopathological problems became difficult to manage under intensive agricultural conditions. The project demonstrated that an integrated approach to soil disease control is possible, linking environmental aspects and economic issues, with resulting socio-economic benefits.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
