Project Number: 6618-22000-029-04
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Oct 15, 2000
End Date: Dec 31, 2004

Objective:
Select and screen a finite group of reduced risk compounds for herbicidal and fungicidal activity in order to find suitable alternatives to methyl bromide for minor crop weed and fungi control. These compounds are previously untested for herbicidal or fungicidal properties. The selected group of compounds will be screened for weed suppression, fungicidal activity, and potential usefulness as a replacement for methyl bromide.

Approach:
Research will be conducted during a 36 month period. Selected compounds will be screened using a pesticidal properties screening process, which will provide a quick, efficient, reliable method for separating viable alternatives from non-viable ones. Each candidate compound will be individually tested on seeds of pigweed, goosegrass, and barnyard grass, and on tubers of purple nutsedge by exposing seeds or tubers to a specific concentration of the test compound for a pre-determined period of time. Seeds and tubers will be isolated and washed and placed onto a germination medium. The compounds will then be ranked for herbicidal activity. Each candidate compound will be tested for fungicidal activity by inoculating a previously prepared suspension of Fusarium oxysporum spores with a known concentration of the compound. The spores will be exposed for a predetermined period of time. The suspension will then be washed and spores isolated and evaluated for germinability. Compounds that show promise will be further evaluted at the greenhouse scale.

Project Team

Rosskopf, Erin

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Methyl Bromide Alternatives (308)