CHLOROPICRIN-BASED FUMIGANTS GIVE HOPE IN HOPS

BY: DR. MAXWELL HANDISENI

The Pacific Northwest is known for producing high quality hops. Hops can be devastated by a number of soil-borne pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium spp, Fusarium spp, and Alternaria spp. In the absence of proper management strategies, these pathogens can result in complications causing stunted growth, wilting and root decay among others which drastically impact plant growth and consequently hop yield and quality. Fumigation with chloropicrin-based fumigants suppress soil-borne pathogens and improve crop growth. In an observatory demo trial between two unfumigated rows (C-35 applied at 12 gallons per acre) and the rest of the field (fumigated), there was more uniform growth in plants growing on fumigated ground than plants growing on non-fumigated ground. Hop plants grown on fumigated ground reached the highest trellis line compared to the non-fumigated ground, an indicator of improved crop growth. Even though yield data was not collected, growth parameters seem to indicate improved crop growth in C-35 fumigated ground. Use of chloropicrin-based fumigant C-35 gives hope for most hop growers as they strive to maintain the production of high-quality hops in the PNW. Yield trials are currently underway.

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