Fumigation Alternatives

Fumigation is a critical practice to control soilborne pests in some high-value crops. However, fumigants can pose health risks to pesticide applicators and if not used correctly, can move off-site. They are also very expensive for farmers to use. Researchers  searching for alternatives to fumigants have found that the use of certain cover crops or organic amendments can in some cases reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fumigation. This phenomenon has been long observed by farmers and scientists and more recently systematic approaches have been used to understand the mechanisms behind the practices.

Featured Publications

Mustard Green Manures

On-farm research has been conducted since 1999 to determine the benefits of mustard green manures and to improve their effectiveness. They are being used in irrigated regions of Eastern Washington to improve soil quality, control wind erosion, and manage soilborne pests.

Additional Publications

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