Effect of water seal on reducing 1,3-dichloropropene emissions from different soil textures.

Soil physical conditions can affect diffusion, environmental fate, and efficacy of fumigants in soil disinfestation treatments. Water seals (applying water using sprinklers to soil following fumigation) can effectively reduce fumigant emissions from sandy loam soils. Soil column studies compared the effectiveness of water seals in reducing cis-1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) emissions from three different textured soils (loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam). Treatments included an untreated control, an initial water seal (9 mm water applied immediately before fumigant injection), and intermittent water seals (initial 9 mm water seal followed by 3 mm at 12 and 24 h). For the loamy sand, instead of the initial water seal treatment, a reduced-amount intermittent water seal (initial 3 mm water followed by 1 mm at 12 and 24 h) treatment was tested. Overall emission loss of 1,3-D from the control over 2 wk was 56% for the loamy sand, 51% for the sandy loam, and 43% for the loam. The initial water seal reduced total 1,3-D emissions to 46% in the sandy loam and 31% in the loam. The intermittent water seals reduced emission loss to 26% for the loamy sand, 41% for the sandy loam, and 21% for the loam. The reduced-amount intermittent water seal for loamy sand had little effect. Low emission loss was associated with high surface soil water content. None of the water applications reduced gaseous fumigant concentrations. Results indicate that water seal techniques may be able to effectively reduce emissions for different soil textures without reducing fumigant concentration in the soil.