Evaluation of chloropicrin gelatin capsule formulation as a soil fumigant for greenhouse strawberry in China.

Gelatin capsules containing chloropicrin (Pic gel cap) were developed as a new formulation to reduce the potential human exposure risks associated with injection application methods. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a Pic gel cap formulation on soilborne pathogens and to determine the effects on strawberry plant growth and fruit yield. Three field experiments were conducted in strawberry greenhouses located in Mancheng County, China, in 2008-2010. The results demonstrated that effects of Pic gel cap on soilborne pathogens were similar to Pic injection; Pic gel cap effectively reduced key soilborne pathogens population, was partially effective against weeds, improved strawberry plant growth, and increased fruit yield significantly compared to the untreated control. Pic gel cap applied to preformed beds uses less fumigant than broadcast applications of Pic gel cap and can provide an equivalent level of disease control. The present study confirms that the Pic gel cap is a promising new formulation which provides field efficacy and marketable yields similar to Pic injection or methyl bromide in strawberry cultivation in China.