Environmental hell for nematodes
7 Sep 2004
CSIRO and the BOC Group have signed an agreement that will result in the commercialisation of a new environmentally-safe fumigant for treating soil, insects and weeds.
The fumigant - ethanedinitrile (EDN) - can be used as a replacement for the ozone-depleting methyl bromide, which is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol.
EDN was discovered by CSIRO in 1994 and, since then, field tests have shown it to be more effective than methyl bromide in sterilising soil from insects, weeds and diseases - an important step before high value crops such as strawberries and carrots can be planted.
"In addition to being environmentally better, EDN is also more effective in penetrating soil and timber and more effective than methyl bromide in killing unwanted insects, moulds, bacteria and nematodes," said CSIRO Entomology Chief Dr. Joanne Daly.
Under the agreement between the two outfits, CSIRO will assist BOC to develop efficacy data for the fumigant, while BOC will register the product and identify suitable manufacturers.
'BOC is moving forward with the registration of EDN within the next two months and we are in the process of finalising a supply agreement,' added BOC Managing Director Graham Smith.
The global market for methyl bromide is estimated to be more than $500 million. With the phase out of methyl bromide scheduled in 2006, organisations worldwide are racing to find suitable alternatives.
