Sustainable Alternatives to Methyl Bromide in Romanian Horticulture.

Soilborne pathogens are very destructive in vegetable crops and one of the most limiting factors to farmer's income. Their management worldwide has been based on pre-plant soil fumigation with methyl bromide, a compound whose phase-out procedure was initiated in the Montreal Protocol (1992) due to its hazardous effects on the environment. Since the adhesion to the Montreal Protocol, Romania government decided to phase out methyl bromide use beginning with 2005. During the last seven years, the research was focused on investigating methyl bromide alternatives for controlling soilborne pathogens, mainly in protected area vegetable crops. These substitutes have been based on using other registered chemical compounds, and non-chemical methods (soil steaming, solarization, cultural practices, plant resistance). All the current methyl bromide substitutes and control measures for controlling soilborne pathogens in protected area vegetables crops have limitations, compared with methyl bromide. The aim of this paper is to describe the current methyl bromide alternatives for controlling soilborne pathogens in Romania horticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]