AGRONOMY HUB

Tools and resources for functional sustainability.


RESEARCH PAPERS

Shifts in Microbial Communities following application of Chloropicrin and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Pineapple
Shifts in Microbial Communities following application of Chloropicrin and 1,3-Dichloropropene in Pineapple

Trical Group's John Washington released a paper on fumigation using Chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and its impact on microbiological communities and soil health.

9/30/2024

TRIALS

Bean Trial 2023
Bean Trial 2023

In 2023, Trident Agricultural Products conducted field trials in Idaho, focusing on kidney beans for seed production. The trials aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PIC 100 (Chloropicrin) at low dosage rates of 2.5 GPA and 5 GPA at maximizing yield and income gain in comparison to non-fumigated checks.

6/27/2024
Jalapeno Trial, Clinton NC

Our Director of Agronomy, Josh Mays, was back out in the field at the end of May checking on a jalapeno field trial in Clinton, NC. In this video he's highlighting the difference in growth and uniformity seen in this field and why it matters.

6/14/2024
Broccoli Field Trial in Virginia

A video from a field trial in Virginia on broccoli. Agronomist Josh Mays discusses some of the things we evaluate and analyze while we're doing field trials.

5/23/2024
SC Watermelon Field Trial

A short video on a SC Watermelon Trial and some of the tools we use to evaluate the things we see in a field.

5/23/2024
Trical Grape Field Trial (Modesta, CA): Documented Importance of Soil Fumigation
Trical Grape Field Trial (Modesta, CA): Documented Importance of Soil Fumigation

In the Fall of 2019, Dr. Kristi Sanchez began a Grape Field Trial in Modesto, CA, investigating soil fumigation methods and their impact on vineyard performance. The trial focused on assessing TriClor adoption in vineyards alongside the performance of TELONE™ II.

3/27/2024
TELONE™ USA R&D – Sweetpotato Field Trials 2024
TELONE™ USA R&D – Sweetpotato Field Trials 2024

Nematodes are a common pest in sweetpotato-growing areas. This blog post will cover most common and destructive nematode affecting sweetpotatoes in North Carolina—the guava root-knot nematode— and recap a sweetpotato field trial that was done to demonstrate TELONE™ efficacy.

2/29/2024
TELONE™ USA R&D – Potato Field Trials 2024
TELONE™ USA R&D – Potato Field Trials 2024

Nematodes are a common pest in potato-growing areas, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. This blog post will cover common nematodes affecting potatoes in the Pacific Northwest, and recap a potato field trial that was done to demonstrate TELONE™ efficacy.

2/29/2024
Impacts of Fall & Spring Fumigation of Tobacco
Impacts of Fall & Spring Fumigation of Tobacco

This project in East Central NC originally in 2021 to evaluate the effects of TELONE ™ II and Chloropicrin (PIC) on nematode suppression, Granville wilt suppression, and tobacco yield and quality. This is a complex issue of harvest timing, weather conditions, disease, and nematode pressure.

11/29/2023
2023 Trial: Impacts of Soil Fumigation of Tobacco
2023 Trial: Impacts of Soil Fumigation of Tobacco

TriEst wanted to look at finding application and timing solutions to better meet nematode and disease pressures. The 2023 trial focused on sampling depths to map location of pests, dual depth applications to place the correct product in the right place, and proof out these concepts.

11/29/2023
CROP: Potato - Strike Fumigants
CROP: Potato - Strike Fumigants

No current practice in potato production provides more benefits than soil fumigation. Soil fumigation with Strike allows plant roots to develop in an environment where nematodes and other soil borne diseases are managed.

10/31/2023
Field Trial Data that Inspired our Latest Campaign
Field Trial Data that Inspired our Latest Campaign

“The farmer says he doesn’t want other growers to know the secret of his competitive advantage. I know he can’t help himself. I know he’s telling his neighbors what he can’t believe is happening in his fields.” What Is Quickly Becoming The Worst Kept Secret? Strike Soil Fumigant.

10/31/2023
Impacts of Fall & Spring Fumigation of Tobacco
Impacts of Fall & Spring Fumigation of Tobacco

This project was established in East Central NC originally in 2021 to evaluate the effects of TELONE ™ II and Chloropicrin (PIC) on nematode suppression in Tobacco, Granville wilt suppression, and tobacco yield and quality. Is it possible to stagger harvest between the products?

8/31/2023
Pistachio Field Trials: Decreased Nematode Densities
Pistachio Field Trials: Decreased Nematode Densities

We established 2 multi-year field trials in Fresno County California, one trial taking place in Firebaugh, and the other in Caruthers, both led by TriCal PCA-Victor Rodriguez to examine the benefits of TELONE™ and Chloropicrin providing early rootstock establishment..

7/31/2023
Pre-Plant Soil Fumigation in Greenhouses with Strike 60 for the Production of Capsicums
Pre-Plant Soil Fumigation in Greenhouses with Strike 60 for the Production of Capsicums

The Adelaide Plains region, outside of Adelaide, South Australia, is the largest greenhouse growing region in the southern hemisphere. This region suffers from soil pest & disease issues that greatly reduce the yields and quality of the crops grown.

4/20/2023
Green Beans: Low Rate Fumigation Trial
Green Beans: Low Rate Fumigation Trial

Building off of our traditional success in tobacco and our more recent watermelon results in 2020-2021, we wanted to trial our low rate system in another crop that fit the specifications outlined earlier; 60-120 day crop. An opportunity was found in Florida with fresh market green beans.

2/13/2023
Examining the Effectiveness of Fumigant Application on Sweet Potato Crop
Examining the Effectiveness of Fumigant Application on Sweet Potato Crop

The demand for sweet potatoes across the United States has increased dramatically for the last several years. Fumigation of the soil can greatly increase their yield and control pests like nematodes.

12/9/2022
Chloropicrin Shifts Soil Biology in Powerful Ways across Diverse Regions, Crops, and Soil Types
Chloropicrin Shifts Soil Biology in Powerful Ways across Diverse Regions, Crops, and Soil Types

What the studies conclusively show is that in the weeks and months following soil fumigation with chloropicrin, soil microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) shifted in remarkable and quantifiable ways.

11/2/2022
Growing Greater Grapes Pt. 2 – Modesto Trial Results
Growing Greater Grapes Pt. 2 – Modesto Trial Results

TriClor and TELONE™ fumigant treatments continue to demonstrate significant reduction in total plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) density across all 3 seasons compared to untreated control, shown in the graphic below.

6/16/2022
Growing Greater Grapes – Modesto Trial Update
Growing Greater Grapes – Modesto Trial Update

By utilizing pre-plant fumigants in a vineyard – such as TriClor (Chloropicrin) and TELONE™ II (1,3-Dichloropropene) – growers can reduce the total parasitic nematode pressure within the soil where the grapes are being planted.

5/18/2022
Trical Almond Replant Research: The Importance of Fumigation for Growers
Trical Almond Replant Research: The Importance of Fumigation for Growers

In California, nematodes can significantly impact crop production. They cause considerable damage to plant roots, disrupting the uptake of water and nutrients, resulting in reduced crop yield. For pre-treatment control soil fumigation is a vital management tool for growers.

10/1/2021

ARTICLES

Breaking Down the Details on Chloropicrin
Breaking Down the Details on Chloropicrin

Chloropicrin has been used as an agricultural product for soil-borne pest suppression in specialty crops throughout the world for over 60 years. It is a bio-nutritional soil fumigant that breaks down into elements that are naturally utilized by plants: carbon, chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen.

8/9/2024
Up to 68% of Potato Seed Could be Infected with Verticillium
Up to 68% of Potato Seed Could be Infected with Verticillium

68% of all seed potatoes sold in the Pacific Northwest are infected with verticillium. If you are a potato farmer who doesn't currently battle verticillium and you’re buying seed potatoes, you have a more than two in three chance that you’ll bring verticillium in.

6/29/2024
Soil Fumigation Changes the Game for Potato Seed Farm Economics
Soil Fumigation Changes the Game for Potato Seed Farm Economics

In today’s potato growing reality, a calculator is as critical to business success as good field management skills. We conducted a two-year trial comparing potatoes grown in soil where disease was managed with the soil fumigant Strike versus untreated potatoes.

5/13/2024
TELONE™ Application & the Endangered Species Act
TELONE™ Application & the Endangered Species Act

Navigating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and responsible pesticide management exemplify our commitment to fostering a world where humans and wildlife thrive in harmony, embodying the shared vision of growers, conservationists, policymakers, and communities alike.

4/29/2024
Low Dose Chloropicrin – When SweetPotato set is at Stake
Low Dose Chloropicrin – When SweetPotato set is at Stake

In the Summer/Fall of 2022 TriEst Ag Group did a mixture study that focused on Enterolobii in Nash County, NC. The trial evaluated the use of TELONETM, C15, and C35 at 6 GPA (22 GPA broadcast) shank applied in-row 14” deep with 10” of stack.

4/3/2024
TELONE™ Japan R&D – Watermelon Field Trials
TELONE™ Japan R&D – Watermelon Field Trials

Watermelons are a popular crop in Japan. Unfortunately, they are also highly susceptible to destructive root-knot nematodes which negatively impact overall yields and fruit quality. Japanese growers know that nothing is more effective against nematodes than TELONE™!

2/29/2024
Finally: A New (Desperately Needed) Solution for Potato Wart?
Finally: A New (Desperately Needed) Solution for Potato Wart?

Potato wart strikes fear in the bravest among us and at every level of the potato value chain. 36 fields have been identified as infected in three counties since 2000, leading to major trade disruptions, the destruction of hundreds of millions of kilograms of potatoes.

2/12/2024
Pushing for Sustainability Is Good, But Only If We Know What We’re Aiming For
Pushing for Sustainability Is Good, But Only If We Know What We’re Aiming For

You’d be hard pressed to look anywhere in agriculture today without running into the word ‘sustainability’. The whole industry is pressing forward on sustainability…but what does sustainability really mean? How do we define sustainability’s goals?

12/19/2023
Short-term Thinking Costs Long-term Benefits
Short-term Thinking Costs Long-term Benefits

I convinced the director of agronomy for a large company that grows chipping potatoes to try soil fumigation with chloropicrin (sold as Strike). He appreciated the soil health and yield gains he achieved in year one, but he hasn’t been seeing the longer-term soil health gains.

10/17/2023
Ensuring Safe Agriculture: The Important Role of Product Stewardship
Ensuring Safe Agriculture: The Important Role of Product Stewardship

In the dynamic landscape of modern agriculture, the responsible use of chemicals has become paramount to ensure robust crop yields and the well-being of ecosystems, farmers, and consumers. This is where the concept of product stewardship takes center stage.

10/12/2023
Potatoes Following in Strawberries’ Footsteps, But Can Potatoes be as Nimble?
Potatoes Following in Strawberries’ Footsteps, But Can Potatoes be as Nimble?

The parallels between where we are in the potato industry today compared to where California’s strawberry industry was in the 1950s are quite amazing. Strawberries are very sensitive to verticillium. Do I think chloropicrin is coming in potatoes? Absolutely.

9/27/2023
Sustainability and profitability: two sides of one well-managed coin
Sustainability and profitability: two sides of one well-managed coin

Sustainability is a priorities in agriculture today. Recognizing that responsible management of resources is critical to ensuring agriculture can meet the world’s food, feed, and fiber needs today and tomorrow too, farmers are supportive of improving sustainability.

9/15/2023
STRIKE is Fast Becoming the Potato Industry’s Worst-Kept Secret
STRIKE is Fast Becoming the Potato Industry’s Worst-Kept Secret

Soil fumigants have suffered from an image problem, Strike is different – it’s a modern, highly-selective, soil health-promoting tool. There’s more and more awareness that Strike’s active ingredient, chloropicrin, suppresses all the major soil-borne potato diseases.

8/23/2023
“Am I Willing to Share? Heck No, It’s My Competitive Advantage”
“Am I Willing to Share? Heck No, It’s My Competitive Advantage”

"Ultimately, potato growers are all in competition with each other. Strike lets me grow more yield and better quality than the guys down the road or – since it’s a global market – in another state or country. The longer I can keep that edge to myself, the more money I make.”

6/21/2023
TELONE™ and Chloropicrin: A One-Two Punch for Nematodes and Soilborne Diseases
TELONE™ and Chloropicrin: A One-Two Punch for Nematodes and Soilborne Diseases

Agricultural diseases can decimate your crop if you don’t take the proper preventative steps. Nematodes and other soilborne diseases need to be stopped in their tracks—and the right soil fumigation techniques can make all the difference.

6/9/2023
Does Soil Fumigation Have a Place in Regenerative Agriculture?
Does Soil Fumigation Have a Place in Regenerative Agriculture?

Over the past handful of months, I’ve attended a whole pile of potato seminars, expos, forums and conferences around the world. Regenerative agriculture and sustainability are almost always top of the agenda.

6/6/2023
Why Healthy Roots Matter for Agriculture
Why Healthy Roots Matter for Agriculture

We will explore why healthy roots are essential for crop growth and productivity. A plant’s roots serve as the main pathway through which water and nutrients are absorbed from the soil, and without a vigorous root system, plants cannot absorb enough nutrients to support their growth.

4/28/2023
What Is Soil Fumigation—And Why Does It Matter?
What Is Soil Fumigation—And Why Does It Matter?

The presence of many common organisms, parasites, and pests can mean the difference between a healthy yield or an off year. Soil fumigation can give plants the best chance possible to grow up and develop, while controlling pests safely and effectively—with lasting results.

3/21/2023
Reduced Irrigation Yet More Yield and Better-quality Potatoes
Reduced Irrigation Yet More Yield and Better-quality Potatoes

One grower trialed soil fumigation with Strike (a chloropicrin-based product) on a handful of acres in 2020, mostly to better manage common scab and other soil borne diseases. Pleased with the results, he’s increased his treated acreage each year. Last fall, he fumigated several hundred acres.

3/16/2023
Potato School Snapshot - Can Fumigation and Sustainability Align?
Potato School Snapshot - Can Fumigation and Sustainability Align?

As an agronomist and potato scientist, I’m always fascinated to hear the latest research from potato experts around the world. That’s why the TriCal Group’s Potato School with its focus on grower education is one of my favorite events.

1/3/2023
Why Paul is Guilt-free About Doubling his Yield with Soil Fumigation
Why Paul is Guilt-free About Doubling his Yield with Soil Fumigation

Over the last couple articles, I’ve told you about Paul: a highly experienced, sustainability-focused Ontario potato producer who saw yield skyrocket when he started using chloropicrin (the active ingredient in Strike) as a soil fumigant.

10/27/2022
As Promised Here’s How Paul Doubled His Yield
As Promised Here’s How Paul Doubled His Yield

Last week we shared the first article in a 3-part series published in SpudSmart titled, “Ontario Potato Farmer Notches 100% Yield Increase”. This week we are sharing the second article in the 3-part series published in SpudSmart titled, “As Promised Here’s How Paul Doubled His Yield”.

10/18/2022
Greenhouse Tomato Production
Greenhouse Tomato Production

Grower Experience – Trentham Cliffs, NSW
The grower previously had total plant deaths of his tomato crop where it was found that Verticillium and Fusarium wilts had killed all of his plants when they reached the growth stage.

9/25/2022
Ontario Potato Farmer Notches 100% Yield Increase
Ontario Potato Farmer Notches 100% Yield Increase

Four years ago at a farm show, I happened to cross paths with a long-time, forward-thinking potato grower from Ontario named Paul. He had the walk of a guy who wasn’t planning to stop. But four words on our signage literally caught him mid-stride: Strike supports soil health.

9/22/2022
Are Lurking Pathogens Already Wreaking Havoc Below Ground
Are Lurking Pathogens Already Wreaking Havoc Below Ground

Farmers usually feel pretty hopeful about the potential of their crops at the start: the most common comment I hear in early summer is “This is going to be my year!” Those same farmers are often disappointed what they saw in June and July didn’t translate to yield.

9/19/2022
Pineapple Crops Perform Great in Healthier Soils
Pineapple Crops Perform Great in Healthier Soils

Over the past three years, TriCal Australia has been conducting extensive research in the Queensland Pineapple industry to determine the best fumigant to be used across the varying soil types and pest and disease pressure for our own conditions.

7/15/2022
Striking Wide Range of Soil-Borne Diseases in Your Bulbs and Tubers
Striking Wide Range of Soil-Borne Diseases in Your Bulbs and Tubers

For years, farmers have been using a variety of methods to increase crop yield and improve quality. A growing number of farmers have realised the health of their crops depends on the health of their soil.

6/17/2022
Are You Throwing Money Away on Your Soil Fumigation?
Are You Throwing Money Away on Your Soil Fumigation?

You’ve seen the research study results that show soil fumigation with Strike can effectively subdue rhizoctonia, black dot, common scab, and early die complex. You’ve heard experts explain how chloropicrin can boost soil’s health and potato production’s sustainability.

3/8/2022
What Patates Dolbec Learned About Soil Fumigation Could Make You Money
What Patates Dolbec Learned About Soil Fumigation Could Make You Money

Scab steals a costly percentage of the potatoes produced at Patates Dolbec, one of Quebec’s largest farms. Patates Dolbec’s director of quality assurance and agronomy, coordinated a soil fumigation trial last year to see how Strike might impact his soil’s health and productivity.

1/31/2022
Tackling Early Die Complex — a Sneak Peek from Potato School
Tackling Early Die Complex — a Sneak Peek from Potato School

If potato producers could snap their fingers to solve the most costly and frustrating production challenge they face, almost all would snap away early die complex. Early die can cost five to 30 per cent of yield. Yes, early die is difficult to manage. However, the more you know, the better you’ll be able to tackle it.

12/3/2021
Tackle Verticillium Wilt and Take Back Control
Tackle Verticillium Wilt and Take Back Control

Farmers have a lot on their minds: pests, frost, heat, commodity prices, too much rain, drought, labor, regulations and even more. To succeed at farming, a thousand things have to go right. Farming is stressful on its own. Add in supply chain issues and you are left with tough decisions regarding the best way to move forward for the success of your farming operation. Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered.

10/12/2021
Spudman announces potato industry Dream Team 2021
Spudman announces potato industry Dream Team 2021

As the global director of potato research and market support for TriCal Group, Hutchinson is a master of soil health and disease suppression. He is the industry’s leaders in research and isn't shy. He is often a speaker at potato-related educational opportunities, like Potato Expo.

2/8/2021

VIDEOS

Agronomy in Action - Soil Fumigated PNW Onions

TriEst Ag Group had the opportunity to visit our west coast affiliate, Trident Ag Products, in the Pacific Northwest. They took our agronomist, Josh Mays, to visit some onion growers that were harvesting. He breaks down why growers soil fumigate onions and the benefits of doing so.

11/1/2023
Agronomy in Action - Peanut Soil Fumigation Trial

Our agronomist, Josh Mays, was out recently in a peanut field in Marion, SC comparing the difference in uniformity of emergence and uniformity of growth in a soil fumigation trial that TriEst Ag Group is doing.

10/23/2023
Agronomy in Action: Tobacco Soil Fumigation Trial

Our agronomist, Josh Mays, was in a tobacco field back in mid-August visiting a Granville Wilt trial. He touches on the differences in soil fumigated versus untreated. You can read about some more of our work in tobacco at www.triestag.com/ag-news/.

10/19/2023
What happens when you stop using Strike Telone in your soil, Sam Pike tells us.

A long time ago, when Sam stopped using Telone for 4 years, he found that nematodes and diseases increased and nematicides did not control the cycle of nematodes. With further agronomy testing they found the exact and were able to tackle the issue head on.

11/23/2022
How to Avoid “What Happened to my Crop?!” Disappointment

An interview with Chad Hutchinson by Ashley Robinson Seed World Group

7/5/2022
Savage Farms Success Story

This is my livelihood, I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have this to tell you the truth. Being able to make a living at this, it's rewarding. We're growing over 500 acres of potatoes, so we have to perform and get a good yield to be able to make money, and every year that seems to get more and more challenging.

3/13/2020
Strike + Potatoes Overview

No matter what you're growing, the health of the soil in which you're planting your crops has one of the most influential impacts on the quality of the crop you harvest. For years farmers have been using a variety of methods to increase yield and improve quality. A growing number of farmers have realized the health of their crop depends on the health of their soil.

3/13/2020
TriEst Ag Group Soil Health

A live-action video production for TriCal and included in our Q4 2018 Highlights portfolio. We're Levitate and we've been producing live and animated video for enterprise and SMB clients since 2009.

10/28/2019
TriCal Australia

TriCal Australia was established as SA Rural Agencies in 1987 which became AGAS Rural in 2012. Joining the TriCal Group of Companies in 2019, TriCal Australia continues its history of providing innovative and dependable fumigation products and services to the Australian fumigation, agriculture, pest control and quarantine community.

8/8/2019
TriCal Demo 2017

Dennis Lane and Abbie Asche talk about soil fumigation and application safety.

3/12/2017