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o For fields with more than one soil texture, soil moisture content in the lightest-
<br />textured
<br />ightesttextured (most sandy) areas must Comply with this soil moisture requirement._ The
<br />field may be divided into areas of similar soil texture and the soil moisture of each
<br />area should be adjusted as needed. Coarser textured soils can be fumigated under
<br />coriditfohs of higher soil moisture than finer textured soils; however, if the soil moisture
<br />is too high, fumigant movement will be retarded and effectiveness of the treatment will
<br />be reduced, Previous and/or local experience with the soil to be treated or the crop to
<br />be planted can often serve as a guide to conditions that will be acceptable: If there is
<br />uncertainty In determining the soil moisture content of the area to be treated, a local
<br />extension service or soil conservationist or pest control advisor (agriculturoconsuitant)
<br />should be consulted for assistance.
<br />• if there is Insufficient moisture. throughout the top six inches of soil immediately priorto the
<br />application, the soli moisture must be adJusted. If there fs adequate soil moisture WOW six
<br />Inches , soil moisture can be brought to. the surface by tillage before or during injection. To
<br />conserve existing soil moisture, tillage should be done as close to the time of'appiicatlon
<br />as possible.
<br />Application and Equipment Directions
<br />• Do not apply or allow fumigant split onto the soil surface, Inectors must be placed below
<br />the soil surface before product flow, begins. Each Injoction line must either have a check
<br />valve located as close as possible to the final injection point, or drain/purge the line of any
<br />remaining fumigant prior to lifting injection shanks from the ground. Do not lift injection
<br />shanks, from the soil until the shut-off valve has been closed and the fumigant has been
<br />depressurized (passively drained) or purged (actively forced out via air compressor) from
<br />the system.
<br />• Applicatfonequipment must be, in good working order.
<br />• All tanks, hoses, fittings, valves and, connections must be serviceable, tightened, sealed
<br />and not leaking.
<br />• Dry disconnect couplings (closed transfer system) must be installed on tanks and transfer
<br />hoses.
<br />• Sight gauges and pressure gauges must be properly functioning..
<br />• Nozzles and metering devices must be the correct size and sealed and unobstructed.
<br />• Use only tanks, hoses. and fittings designed to withstand the pressure of the system and
<br />resistant to metam.
<br />Each nozzle must be equipped with a flow monitor, e.g. mechanical, electronic, or Red -ball
<br />type monitor.
<br />• For undiluted product, aluminum; brass, copper, galvanized iron, and zinc materials cannot
<br />be used.
<br />• All rigs must Include a filter to remove any particulates from the fumigant; and a check
<br />valve that Is visible to the tractor driver dudng application to prevent backflow, of the
<br />fumigant into the pressurizing cylinder.
<br />•
<br />All rigs must Include a flow meter or a flow monitoring device.
<br />•
<br />All dgs'must have a constant pressure system with orifice plates to ensure the proper
<br />amount of fumigant Is applied,
<br />• Valves (e.g., backfiow, shut-off), vacuum relief valves, and low pressure drains must be in
<br />Place, operational, and leak free.
<br />• Use only positive displacement pumps., Do NOT use impellers made of brass, aluminum,
<br />or galvanized material.
<br />• Before using a fumigation rig for the first tidle, or when preparing it for use after storage,
<br />the operator must check the following items carefully:
<br />— Check the filter, and clean or replace the filter element as required.
<br />— Check all tubes and chisels/shanks to make, sure they are free of, debris and
<br />obstructions.
<br />-- Check and clean the,orifl,ce plates,.
<br />Spray Blade Applications (includes bed -top blade and soil cap applications)
<br />Weather Conditions
<br />• To determine if unfavorable weather conditions exist or are predicted (see identifying
<br />Unfavorable Weather Conditions section) and whether an application should
<br />proceed, the National Weather Service weather forecast must be checked by the. certified
<br />applicator supervising the application:
<br />0 on the day of, but poor to the start of the'appiication, and
<br />0 on a dally basis dunng.the appiicaUon if the uma period from the startofthe application
<br />until the application is complete is greater than 24 hours.
<br />• Do not apply 'rf an atr-stagnation advisory issued by the National Weather Service is in
<br />effect for the oma in which the application is planned, during the application, or the 48
<br />hours aftarthe application is complete.
<br />• Do not apply if light wind conditions (< 2 mph) are forecast to persist for more than 18
<br />is complete.
<br />consecutive hours from the time the application starts until 48 hours after the application
<br />• Detailed National Weather Service forecasts for local weather conditions, wind speed,
<br />and air stagnation advisories may be obtained online at: hftp:/Ivuww.nws.noaa.gsly
<br />on NOAA weather radio, or by contacting your focal National Weather Service Forecasting
<br />Office.
<br />Identifying Unfavorable Weather Conditions
<br />• Unfavorable weather conditions block upward movement of air, which results in trapping
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<br />fumigant vapors nearthe ground: The resulting air mass can movenff--site in unpredictable
<br />directions. These conditions typically exist prior to sunset and continue past sunrise and
<br />persist"as late as noontime. Unfavorable conditions are common on nights with limited
<br />cloud coverand, light to no wind and theirpresence can be indicated by ground fog or smog
<br />and can also be identified by smoke from a ground source that flattens out below a ceiling
<br />layer and moves laterally in a concentrated cloud.
<br />Soil Conditions, injection Depth, and Sol( Seating
<br />• Soil must be in good tilth, free of large clods, and tilled at a minimum to the depth of the
<br />treatment zone, Large clods can prevent effective soil sealing and reduce effectiveness
<br />of the application. If. subsurface soil compaction layers (hardpans) are present within the
<br />intended fumigation treatment zone, a deep tillage to fracture these layers must occur prior
<br />to or during the soil fumigant application.
<br />• Plant residue that is present must not interfere with the application or the soli seal. Non -
<br />decomposed plant material may harbor pests that will not be controlled by fumigation..
<br />Crop residue that Is present must Ile flatto permltthe soil to be seated efflictively and limit
<br />the natural °chimneys" that may occur in the soil when plant residue Is present. These
<br />"ch(mneys° allow the soil fumigants to move,through the soil quickly and escape into the
<br />atmosphere. This may create ppDlemially harmful conditions for workers and bystanders
<br />and limits the efficacy of the fum[gard. Plant residue on the field serves to prevent soil
<br />erosion from both wind and water.
<br />A�ply,the product mixture on the sol[ Immediately ahead of the bed -shaping equipment or
<br />III er. The soil surface must be compacted Immediately after application using one or more
<br />of the following methods:
<br />• Compaction with a bed -shaper, roller, press. wheel, coif packer, ring packer, or similar
<br />device, OR
<br />Covering the treated soil with 3-6 inches of untreated soil, OR
<br />• Apptyfng a minimum of a''/n-inch of water beginning immediafety after application begins
<br />And completing the water treatmentwithin four hours; OR,
<br />• Covering treated area with a tarp.
<br />Tates (when tarps are used in Sectagon 42 applications)
<br />• A written tarp plan must be developed and included in the FMP
<br />• Once a tarp is perforated, the application is no longer considered Carped,
<br />Soil Temperature
<br />• At the beginning of the application, the soil temperature at the injection depth must be
<br />between 35° and 90°F.
<br />• if air temperatures have been above 100°F in any of the three days prior to application,
<br />then soil temperature must be measured and recorded in the FMP. Record temperature
<br />measurements at the application depth or 12 inches, whichever is shallower.
<br />Soil Moisture
<br />• The soil moisture in the top six Inches of soil must be between 60% to 80% of available
<br />Water capacity immediately prior to the application, subject to the exception below.
<br />• EXCEPTION: in areas where soil moisture must exceed available water capacity to forma
<br />tied (e.g., certain regions in Florida), soil moisture content may exceed the 609'x,
<br />• if appropriate measuring equipment is not used to determine whether the soil moisture
<br />in the top six inches of soil is between 60% to 80% available water capacity immediately
<br />prior the application, the USDA Feet and Appearance Method test may be used to
<br />estimate whether the 60% to 80% soil moisture content requirement is met:
<br />o For coarse textured soils (fine sand and loamy fine sand) there must be enough
<br />moisture (50 - 75% of available water capacity) to form a weak ball with loose and
<br />clustered sand grains on fingers; darkened color, moderate water staining on fingers,
<br />will not ribbon.
<br />o For moderately coarse textured soils (sandy loam and fine sandy loam) there must
<br />be enough moisture (50 - 76% of available water capacity) to form a ball with defined
<br />finger marks, very light sail/water staining on fingers, darkened color will not slick. .
<br />o For medium textured soils (sandy clay loam, loam, and silt loam) there must be enough
<br />moisture (50 75% of available water capacity) to form a ball, very light staining on
<br />fingers, darkened color, pliable, and forms a weak ribbon between the thumb and
<br />forefinger,
<br />o For fine textured soils (clay, clay loam, and silly clay loam) there must be enough
<br />Moisture (50 - 75% of available water capacity) to form a smooth ball with defined
<br />finger marks, light soil/water staining on fingers, ribbons between thumb and
<br />forefinger.
<br />o For fields with more than one soil texture, soil moisture content in the lightest
<br />textured (most sandy) areas must comply With this soil molsture requirement The
<br />field may be divided into areas of similar soil texture and the soil moisture of each
<br />area should be adjusted as needed. Coarser textured soils can be fumigated under
<br />conditions of higher soil moisture than finer textured soils; however; if the soil moisture
<br />is too high, fumigant movement will be retarded and effectiVeness of the treatment will
<br />be reduced. Previous and/or local experience with the soil to be treated or the crop to
<br />be planted can often serve as a guide to conditions that will be acceptable. If there is
<br />uncertainty in determining the soil moisture content of the area to be treated, a local
<br />extension service or soil conservationist or pest control advisor (agriculture consultant)
<br />should be consulted for assistance.
<br />• If there is insufficient moisture throughout the top six inches of soil immediately priorto the
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