Acrolein as Potential Alternative to Methyl Bromide in

California-Grown Calla Lilies

Husein AjwaUniversity of California, Davis

Acrolein as Potential Alternative to Methyl Bromide in California-Grown Calla Lilies

Researchers:

Susanne Klose (PI) Husein Ajwa, UC-Davis

Jim Gerik, USDA-ARS

Ian Greene, Golden State Bulb Growers

MB Use in California in OrnamentalsMB Use in California in OrnamentalsFrom US Nominations for CUE for Ornamentals, 2006 (US EPA) From US Nominations for CUE for Ornamentals, 2006 (US EPA)

2008 MB nominations = 149,481 lbs

Year Total MB used Acre treated Rate (lbs) (lbs/Acre)

1999 360,469 1,365 264

2000 347,010 1,424 244

2001 187,858 821 229

2002 143,474 900 159

2003 156,115 694 225

2004 not available

Acrylaldehyde

CAS number: 107-02-8

Molecular formula: C3H4O

Properties:

Molecular mass: 56.06 g/molAppearance: colorless to yellow liquid, irritating odorBoiling point: 127 °F (53°C)Vapor pressure: 286 mbar (20°C)Solubility in water: fair (< 10%)

AcroleinAcrolein

BackgroundBackground

Cut flower and ornamental bulb industries rely heavily on MB/Pic as a key pest management tool

The loss of MB will require growers to use alternative fumigants

MB alternative research for cut flowers and ornamental bulb crops received little attention relative to other crops

Test of novel materials for management of a multi-pest complex as preplant treatments (drip applied) under plastic mulchin commercial Calla lily systems in Central Coastal California.

Experimental DesignExperimental Design

Acrolein 100 lbsAcrolein 200 lbsMeBr/Pic (67:33)Control Acrolein 400 lbs

Acrolein 200 lbs Acrolein 100 lbs MeBr/Pic (67:33)Acrolein 400 lbs Control

MeBr/Pic (67:33) Control Acrolein 400 lbs Acrolein 200 lbs Acrolein 100 lbs

Acrolein 400 lbs Acrolein 200 lbs Acrolein 100 lbs ControlMeBr/Pic (67:33)

250 ft50 ft

Treatments

Drip Injection Rate (lb/A) HDPE*

Untreated 0 +

MB/Pic (67/33) 350 +

Acrolein 100 +

Acrolein 200 +

Acrolein 400 +

* High density polyethylene film

Acrolein Drip Application

Dolan Ranch, Moss Landing, CA, June 2006

Evaluations 1

Phytotoxicity testFive indicator Calla lily bulbs were buried in each plot at 2” soil depth at 1, 7, 14 and 21 d past Acroleinapplication, retrieved, transplanted in the greenhouse, and crop was evaluated at 21 d past emergence Viability of soil-borne plant pathogensSurvival of Pythium spp. and Fusarium oxysporumwas evaluated in soil samples from 0-6” depth 4 wks past application

Germination test on Calla bulbs after transplanting in the greenhouse

Evaluations 2

Weed density evaluated prior to each and weed removal practice Calla crop density evaluated every 8-10 wks after planting Plant growth and yield parametersPlant growth and yield parameters

Flower counts at peak floweringFlower counts at peak floweringBulb yield and quality (7 bulb grades (circumference, 1Bulb yield and quality (7 bulb grades (circumference, 11/41/4” to > ” to > 3”, bulb disease symptoms)3”, bulb disease symptoms)Bulb quality rated on transplanted bulbs after 3 months Bulb quality rated on transplanted bulbs after 3 months (number of flowers, plant and root appearance)(number of flowers, plant and root appearance)

Parameters currently evaluated

Germination of indicator Calla bulbs buried in Acrolein treated soils relative to an untreated control at 21 d past emergence

Germination (%)

Acrolein in lbs/acre

Days past Application 100 200 400

1 54 47 54

7 62 69 69

14 100 100 97

21 100 100 100

Germination (%)

Acrolein in lbs/acre

Days past Application 100 200 400

1 54 47 54

7 62 69 69

14 100 100 97

21 100 100 100

Pathogen survival in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors) (4 wks past application)(4 wks past application)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Control MB/Pic350

Acrolein100

Acrolein200

Acrolein400

Treatment/Rate (lbs/acre)

Path

ogen

sur

viva

l (PP

G) Pythium

Fusarium

Calla lily stand density in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

8/06 10/06 11/06 4/07

Month/Year

Sta

nd d

ensi

ty (T

hous

and/

acre

)

UTCMB/Pic 350Ac100Ac200Ac400

Total Resident Weeds in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Untreated MB/CP 350 Acrolein 100 Acrolein 200 Acrolein 400

Treatment/Rate (lbs/acre)

Tota

l res

iden

t wee

ds (

Thou

sand

s ac

re-1

)

Numbers of Malva in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Untreated MB/Pic 350 Acrolein 100 Acrolein 200 Acrolein 400

Treatment/Rate (lbs/acre)

Mal

va p

arvi

flora

(Th

ousa

nds

acre

-1)

Numbers of Calla Volunteers in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Untreated MB/Pic 350 Acrolein 100 Acrolein 200 Acrolein 400

Treatment/Rate (lbs/acre)

Zant

edes

chia

spp

. (Th

ousa

nds

acre

-1)

Calla lily stand in Acrolein-treated soils relative to MB/Pic and an untreated soil (Control) 13 month after planting

Control Ac 100 Ac 100MB/Pic

MB/Pic Ac 200 Control Ac 200

Ac 400

Acrolein400 lbs/acre

MB/Pic 350 lbs/acre

Calla lily stand 13 month after planting (July 2007)

Control 0 lbs/acre

Total Flower numbers (Calla lily) at peak flowing in Acrolein-treated soils (Error bars represent standard errors)

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

Untreated MB/CP 350 Acrolein 100 Acrolein 200 Acrolein 400

Treatment/Rate (lbs/A)

Flow

er c

ount

s (n

o ac

re-1

)

Conclusions

Acrolein at 400 lbs/acre provided fair control of key pests in Calla lilies, with exception of volunteer crops, up to 4 months after planting

Pathogen control efficacy decreased markedly afterwards (lower stand densities, flower counts, bulb yield? than MB/Pic standard)

LongLong--lasting pest control is crucial for this 18lasting pest control is crucial for this 18--month crop, therefore simultaneous or sequential month crop, therefore simultaneous or sequential application of application of AcroleinAcrolein at 400 lbs/acre with other at 400 lbs/acre with other herbicide/ pesticide combinations or at low rates herbicide/ pesticide combinations or at low rates inin--season need to be tested in the futureseason need to be tested in the future

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Baker Petrolite

Golden State Bulb Growers (Ian Greene)TriCal (Paul Niday, Mike Stanghellini, Bob Lino)

Jonathan Hunzie, Ernie Leyva, Shachar Shem-Tov, Matthew Linder