Advancements Towards Precision Fumigation in Strawberry Production

With the phase out of methyl bromide and increased restrictions on alternative fumigants it is becoming more and more difficult for the strawberry grower community to continue with current fumigation practices. Development of techniques that can identify specific regions of the field where pests are present (soilborne pathogens tend to have a more clumped distribution, not a uniform distribution) and technology that will enable application of the fumigant rate necessary for pest control levels that are present will provide a more efficient fumigation with less applied chemicals.