INDIANAPOLIS — Researchers from Dow AgroSciences will present papers during the annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions in Orlando, Fla., later this month.
The conference, to be held Nov. 11 through 14, is sponsored by the Methyl Bromide Alternatives Outreach (MBAO) organization, in cooperation with The Crop Protection Coalition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Under the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, production of methyl bromide — a broad-use fumigant — is being phased out because it is an ozone-depleting substance. While the phaseout in the United States was to have been completed by Jan. 1, 2005, exemptions have been allowed.
Since 1994, agricultural and forestry researchers from governmental, academic and private institutions, as well as extension agents and users, have gathered together at the MBAO conference to share information on a variety of laboratory, field and on-farm research and technology transfer topics related to methyl bromide alternatives.
This fall, researchers from Dow AgroSciences will be presenting on the following topics:
Postharvest Commercial Acceptance and Performance of ProFume Gas Fumigant in the U.S. — Bob Williams, senior research biologist with Dow AgroSciences, has prepared an updated summary of research findings previously reported at this conference. The presentation also includes an update on the use of ProFume gas fumigant (sulfuryl fluoride) in commercial fumigation chambers with fresh dates in southern California.
Pinewood Nematode Research — The pinewood nematode (PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease, has been intercepted in unseasoned pine lumber and wood packing material (WPM). This research, conducted in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Protection and Quarantine program (USDA APHIS PPQ), discusses how sulfuryl fluoride could serve as an alternative for methyl bromide for managing the PWN and its insect vectors in unseasoned pine wood.
Emerald Ash Borer Research — The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an important exotic pest of ash trees in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, where quarantines are, in effect, preventing movement of any potentially infested ash trees, logs and firewood to areas where the EAB does not occur. This research, conducted by scientists at Dow AgroSciences and USDA APHIS PPQ, validates sulfuryl fluoride as a quarantine treatment alternative.
Adoption of ProFume Gas Fumigant in Europe — The commitment to protect the ozone layer by European governments and the European Union Commission has resulted in the complete phaseout of methyl bromide in the milling and food processing industries. Eight European countries have adopted ProFume for this postharvest industrial sector. Prepared by Stanislas Buckley, Dow AgroSciences S.A.S., Mougins, France, the presentation will review how the overall fumigation standards have improved as a result of the methyl bromide phaseout. This presentation will also address how Dow AgroSciences’ comprehensive stewardship program emphasizing Precision Fumigation tools has contributed to funigators complying with new regulatory requirements on operator and bystander safety.
Dow AgroSciences and ProFume have been recognized for their contributions to the environment. The EPA named Dow AgroSciences a partner in ozone protection and awarded the company its 2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award. That same year, Dow AgroSciences was awarded the Montreal Protocol Innovators Award for stratospheric ozone protection efforts.
“Dow AgroSciences is honored to have been recognized by the United Nations and the EPA for the development of methyl bromide-alternative products,” said Dave Morris, commercial leader, U.S. Urban Pest Management for Dow AgroSciences. “We are committed to developing tools that will help our customers meet their needs as methyl bromide continues to be phased out."