Bromide residues in glasshouse soils in victoria following bromomethane fumigation

Abstract

Inorganic bromide in the sandy loam soils in glasshouses used for carnation culture at Dingley, Victoria declined from 34.1 μg Brg −1 following fumigation with bromomethane in 1985 to 4.2μg Brg −1 after flooding with 15cm of water. Soil pH increased with time after fumigation and flooding. In 1987 fumigation with bromomethane reduced numbers of Fusarium spp from 3.96 × 10 4cfug −1 to 8cfug −1. Populations of Fusarium varied significantly with sample site within the same glasshouse. When leaching of inorganic bromide in soil was prevented carnation plants accumulated toxic amounts of bromide.