Plant Growth as Affected by Ethylene Dibromide Fumigation of Soils at Two Moisture Levels

Abstract

AbstractEthylene dibromide (EDB) was injected into Yolo loam, Yolo clay, and Staten peaty‐muck at two moisture levels (air‐dry and field capacity) at rates of 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 ml. per crock. The soils were allowed to stand for 2 weeks before transplanting tomato seedings into them. The moisture level was then maintained adequate for growth.The phytotoxicity of EDB was particularly marked in the air‐dried soils, indicating greater retention of the fumigant vapor in the dry system as compared to the soils maintained at field capacity. The total Br taken up by the plants was generally greater from the moist soils than from the air‐dry soils although the concentration in the plants was in reverse order. The concentration of Br in the plant increased with increasing rates of EDB. Analyses of the soils for water‐soluble inorganic Br indicated there was more soluble Br in the soils maintained at field capacity than in those kept air‐dry.