LAND PREPARATION:

• Use same procedures for either Methyl Bromide or Telone II.
• Remove roots and trash from previous crop.
• Plow or subsoil to 2-3 feet to remove restrictive layers in soil profile.
• Less than 2% fresh organic matter.
• Check temperature at 1 foot depth.
• Check soil moisture to 5 foot depth.
• Cultivate top 6 to 8 inches to break up clods.

When preparing land for preparation, it is important to have as little organic matter present as possible. Organic matter tends to absorb fumigant and prevent it from volatilizing. Although methyl bromide tends to penetrate roots and other plant material somewhat better than Telone II, optimum effectiveness of either material will be enhanced if roots harboring nematodes are removed or allowed to decompose prior to application.

Hardpans and other restrictive layers tend to form in soils over time and these layers can hinder the movement of fumigants. Deep tillage can disrupt these layers and improve the depth of penetration.

As indicated in the charts for methyl bromide and Telone II, optimum results can only be achieved within a range of soil temperatures and moistures.

Fumigants also do not penetrate well into clods. They also prevent efficient sealing of the soil and should be disrupted prior to application.

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