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
Biofumigant Cover Cropping in Potatoes: Dale Gies (Farmer to Farmer Case Study Series)
Yorgey, G.G., S.I. Kantor, C.E. Kruger, K.M. Painter, H. Davis, and L.A. Bernacchi. 2017. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication 693, Pullman, WA.
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.
Apple Replant Disease – Alternatives to Fumigation
Dr. Mark Mazzola, USDA-ARS Tree Fruit Research Lab, Wenatchee, WA. Website highlighting several publications on Apple Replant Disease.
Additional Publications
Advances in Brassica seed meal formulation and application protocol for control of apple replant disease. (PDF)
M. Mazzola poster, December 2010, Wash. St. Hort. Assoc. meeting. A summary of the most recent field results using brassica seed meal mixtures.
Implementing Mustard Green Manure Crops on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation – August 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Role of native soil biology in Brassicaceous seed meal-induced weed suppression.
L. Hoagland, L. Carpenter-Boggs, J.P. Reganold, M. Mazzola. 2008. Soil Biology Biochemistry 40:1689-1697.
2008 Partial Budget Analysis for the Replacement of Metam Sodium by a Mustard Green Manure (PDF)
Partial budget for fumigant replacement.
Brassica juncea seed meal as a fumigant in organic greenhouse production (PDF)
Poster presentation – BIOAg Research Symposium 2008.
Effect of Mustard Seed Meal on Early Weed Emergence in Peppermint and Potato – Summer 2007 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Green Manuring Mustard: Improving an Old Technology – June 2003 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Green Manuring with Mustard: Improving an Old Technology
Green manure summary article in Agrichemical & Environmental News, June 2003.
Using Green Manures in Potato Cropping Systems
WSU Extension Bulletin FS218E. Revised 2016.
Mustard Green Manures
WSU Extension Bulletin FS219E. Updated in 2016
Browse all Fumigation Alternatives Publications
External Links
- eXtension
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Project Reports
Some WSU Extension websites provide links to external sites for the convenience of users. These external sites are not managed by WSU Extension. Furthermore, WSU Extension does not review, control or take responsibility for the content of these sites, nor do these sites implicitly or explicitly represent official positions and policies of WSU Extension.