Alliumspp thiosulfinates as substitute fumigants for methyl bromide

Abstract

Methyl bromide, the most widely used fumigant, is considered to be one of the major factors causing depletion of the ozone layer, and this is likely to lead to it being banned in the near future. Allium sulfur volatiles (thiosulfinates, R-S-SO-R′; R, R′=Me, Pr, y Allul), known to be nematicides, have been evaluated as insecticides against insect pests in stored products, in comparison with their degradation compounds (disulfides) which have already been tested. Methyl and allyl thiosulfinates, with 24-h LD50 values of 0.02–0.25 mg litre−1, were more active than disulfides against six test insects and were superior to methyl bromide; it is suggested that they could be used as alternatives to methyl bromide in stored product control. ©1999 Society of Chemical Industry