Cyperus spp. control with reduced methyl bromide plus chloropicrin doses under virtually impermeable films in pepper

Two field trials were conducted to determine if reduced doses of methyl bromide plus chloropicrin (MBr + Pic) applied under two types of virtually impermeable films (VIF) could provide the same extent of Cyperus spp. control and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crop yield as the commercially used MBr + Pic dose with low-density mulch. Various treatments compared 98 and 196 kg MBr + Pic/ha under VIF versus 392 kg/ha of the fumigant with conventional polyethylene mulch. Results showed that there were no differences in Cyperus control and pepper yield with both reduced MBr + Pic and the commercially applied dose with low-density mulch. It appeared that the increased fumigant retention by the VIF gave the same weed control as the high MBr + Pic dose. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.