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Last updated: October 11, 2002
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How is ecosystem restoration dependent upon agriculture remaining productive and profitable?
- Agricultural lands buffer natural systems from urban areas and inhibit
urban sprawl
- Agriculture supports research that benefits Florida's natural areas
- Florida's agriculture contributes $45 billion to the state's economy
and employs 80,000 people
Importance Of Pest Control
- If agricultural pests are not controlled, total crop losses can occur.
- Preventing pest infestations is the most economical means of management.
In some cases, if a pest becomes established in an area, it can eliminate the
production of particular crops in that area.
- Management practices must be effective enough to keep pests below
economically important levels.
- Development of weed control alternatives can be applied to the
control of non-agricultural pests. Employing these tactics can protect
natural areas from invasive plants.
What is Methyl Bromide?
- Methyl bromide is a broad spectrum biocide that is used to control
insects, nematodes, weeds, pathogens, and rodents
- 27,000 tons of methyl bromide are used annually for agricultural
applications, 87% of this is used for soil fumigation
Use of methyl bromide by state on an annual basis.
(Click on graph for full-sized version.)
Why is methyl bromide a problem?
- Human exposure to high concentrations of methyl bromide can cause nervous
system and respiratory failure.
- In 1992, EPA classified methyl bromide as a "Class I" ozone depleting
substance. These are the compounds considered to cause the most significant
damage to the ozone layer.
- In 1993, regulations were set forth to prohibit production and
importation of methyl bromide.
- A 100% reduction of methyl bromide must be implemented by the year 2005.
How will the loss of methyl bromide affect Florida agriculture?
- More than 6,000 metric tons of methyl bromide are used for pre-plant
soil fumigation in Florida
- 62% of this is used in the production of tomatoes and 26% is used for
the production of bell peppers
Use of methyl bromide in Florida by crop.
(Click on graph for full-sized version.)
- Vegetable production in Florida is highly dependent upon the availability
of effective pest management tools.
- There are many plant pests affecting vegetables and fruits that
are extremely difficult to control due to the sub-tropical climate of South
Florida.
- Methyl bromide has been a single, stand alone tactic that has
provided economical control of essentially all pests affecting these crops.
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Methyl bromide controlled
nematodes and fungi with a single application. (Click on photos for full-sized
version.) |
Chemical Pest Control
- There are other soil fumigants that can be used in the absence of
methyl bromide
- 1,3-dichloropropene
- Metam-sodium
- Methyl iodide
- Propargyl bromide
- These must be combined with other treatments to achieve broad-spectrum
pest control.
- Few chemicals are registered for use in Florida vegetable production and
of those that are registered, there are serious problems with efficacy.
- Weed control with currently registered products is inadequate.
Biological Control: Weeds
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