Pic-Plus stone fruit trial results are featured in the September issue of NZ Grower & Orchardist. The full trial results, including the crop and soil microbiome assessments, are featured in the September 2026 issue of NZ Grower & Orchardist.
Read More
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.
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.
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.
Healthy soil is the foundation for successful agricultural production. One factor that can inhibit soil health is plant parasitic nematodes. Ee will discuss the importance of soil health, how nutrient cycling affects soil health, and the importance of soil fumigation in controlling nematodes.
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.
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.
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.
When growers apply Strike soil fumigant under their carefully managed field conditions, they get impressive results — control of rhizoctonia, black dot, common scab; boosted crop yield and improved sustainability.
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.
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.
We conducted a two-year trial comparing potatoes grown in soil where disease was managed with Strike (chloropicrin). Based on what we observed in the field regarding tuber set increase, we developed a model that incorporated the benefit of set increase from Strike in a seed production system.
Chad Hutchinson is pleased to discuss soil microbes and sustainability with Joy Youwakim, an agroecology scientist at Biome Makers, an independent, third-party genomics company that specializes in DNA sequencing of agricultural soil samples.
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.
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.
There is a lot of talk about sustainability and regeneration in agriculture these days. But what do those terms really mean? If you ask five people, you might get five different definitions. But for Josh Mays, Director of Agronomy for TriEst Ag Group, it all starts with profitability.
A group of scientists at the University of Florida have been investigating the impact of soil fumigation on microbial communities and recently published some of their findings. They found that fumigant treatments with greater than 60% chloropicrin consistently increased tomato yield
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™!
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.
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.
Farmers are hungry for tangible ways to increase their sustainable efforts while maintaining economically viable yields. A lot of voices are calling for farming reform. However, feel good soundbites don’t feed the world. Potato producers are keen for real solutions.
Whether you side with organic or conventional, soil fumigation or in-crop disease management, no-till, cover crops or part of the sustainability discussion; what matters is that sustainability’s definition prioritizes both environmental and economic longevity is to be be functional.
Strike soil fumigants provide a barrier of protection from soil borne disease in the first 6 to 8 weeks, buying time for the onions to yield a healthy and vigorous root. Soil health studies prove that Strike suppresses disease while also supporting biological diversity and soil health overall.
The farmers are dealing with verticillium. The table of farmers started by laying out the stark reality: “Verticillium is trouncing our crops.” The agronomists and plant pathologists present spent the discussion recommending: “Try cover crops”, “Try manure”, “Try compost”.
Plant-parasitic nematodes are some of the most destructive pests in agriculture. With over 4,000 species of plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide, identifying and managing the right ones in your fields is crucial.
Chloropicrin has been a trusted soil fumigation solution for over 60 years, helping specialty crop growers around the world maximize yields and maintain healthy soils. But what makes it such a powerful tool? Here’s a closer look at some of its benefits:
Soil fumigation manages soil pests that cause crop disease. It is regularly accused of doing more harm than good to overall soil biology. Advances in genetic sequencing technology can now show how fumigation actually changes bacterial and fungal populations.
The Pacific Northwest is known for producing hops that can be devastated by pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria. These pathogens can result in stunted growth, wilting and root decay which drastically impact plant growth and consequently hop yield and quality.
Soil fumigation is a pre-planting practice that works by penetrating throughout the soil profile to address threats like nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and insects, creating a pathogen-free root zone, soil fumigation lays the foundation for a healthier growing environment.
Black dot has historically been overlooked in potato seed production. Recent research shows that black dot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum coccodes, working synergistically with Verticillium dahliae and root-lesion nematodes to weaken plants and reduce yields.
Pink root of onion caused by Phoma (Pyrenochaeta) terrestris is a devastating soilborne pathogen of onion worldwide. Infected roots are noticeable by a pink to red color at early stages of the disease and eventually dark in color and death of the plant. The pathogen has a wide host range.
As spring approaches, it’s essential to prepare fields for planting by effectively managing soil-borne pests, particularly nematodes. This blog post outlines steps to ensure successful fumigation, including soil sampling, using pre-application checklists, and monitoring soil moisture levels.
Soil fumigation is a pre-planting practice that involves injecting fumigants into the soil to target harmful soil-borne pests and pathogens. This process works by penetrating throughout the soil to target nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and insects, which can hinder plant development.
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), commissioned a report by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation underscoring chloropicrin in modern agriculture. No alternative can replace this soil fumigant, and its role in managing soil-borne pests in high-value crops.
TriEst Ag Group’s latest blog post by Agronomist Josh Mays explores a key question facing growers today: Can you reduce tillage without sacrificing the effectiveness of fumigation? After three years of field collaboration and equipment development TriEst Ag Group has answers. R
We’ve always known Strike works. Season after season, growers tell us what they see in their fields: healthier plants, better root systems, and stronger yields. What’s happening beneath the surface? Not just in terms of pest control, but in the living biology of the soil itself?
A study from Frontiers in Soil Science has unveiled promising strategies to enhance potato yields and mitigate Rhizoctonia canker. Research from the IRDA and Université Laval in Québec chloropicrin soil fumigation as a biostimulant on potatoes.
North San Diego County was once the flower capital of the U.S., with over 1,000 acres dedicated to field-grown and greenhouse cut flowers. Today, much of that land has given way to development, but one bloom still stands strong: ranunculus.
During his recent trip to South Africa, Chad Hutchinson of met with growers and industry leaders, exchanging insights on soilborne disease management and sustainable farming. Chad continues to champion innovative approaches to Crop Protection and he’s sharing those insights.
Independent third-party studies and numerous global trials show TELONE™ doesn’t sterilize the soil—but rather, it supports a diverse and highly functioning microbiome.
Our latest blog is now out. Director of Agronomy Josh Mays shares field results from our strip-till soil fumigation trials in Part II of the Tackling Tillage series. See how this reduced-tillage approach performed and where the research is headed next.
Dr. Kristi Sanchez addresses how plant parasitic nematodes continue to challenge growers across California, affecting the underground root systems of many high-value crops in crops such as almonds, grapes, citrus, vegetables, and strawberries.
Healthy crops start with healthy soil. For growers facing soil borne pathogens, nematodes, uneven germination, or early crop stress, chloropicrin soil fumigation offers a proven pre-plant tool to help create a more favorable, productive growing environment.
Nematodes can severely impact almond orchards in California, especially in replant situations where Prunus Replant Disorder affects up to 60% of plantings. Soil fumigation helps reduce nematodes, promote root development, and support long-term orchard performance.
Strike pre-plant soil fumigation reduces soil-borne disease while supporting beneficial soil micro-organisms, creating a healthier soil environment for crop establishment. The result is stronger root development, improved crop quality, and increased marketable yield, along with greater input efficiency and reduced rotation pressure.
Cucumbers are highly susceptible to soil-borne pests and diseases, with even moderate levels capable of causing significant economic loss. Effective soil management prior to planting is critical to protecting yield and quality.
California faces an average of 9 new invasive species each year, living below the soil surface, quietly impacting crops long before problems become visible. As part of a broader soil health strategy, soil fumigation can help manage certain soil-borne pest pressures.
California feeds the country—and much of the world—but doing so is becoming increasingly difficult. Recently, on AgNet West Radio Network's Ag Meter, host Nick joined Damian Mason to dig into why America’s leading agricultural state is struggling to sustain and protect its growers.
A recent trial shows that one simple change with Strike™, powered by Chloropicrin, can double the beneficial microbes in your soil, helping boost root growth, suppress disease, and improve overall plant resilience.
While row mulch is installed on individual planting beds, broadcast film is used differently. Broadcast film plays a critical role in soil fumigation programs, particularly in large-scale cropping systems where uniform treatment is essential.
The Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC) establishes a regenerative systems framework that links soilborne disease suppression with measurable agronomic, economic, and environmental outcomes through controlled microbial renewal.
This second paper quantifies how microbial succession reorganizes soil ecosystems following catalyst application and how that reorganization generates functional and climate benefits. Soil communities transitioned predictably from pathogen-dominated to resilient networks.
Manuscript 3 demonstrates verified field performance and grower integration. Catalytic chloropicrin treatments increased marketable yield by 25 %, confirming that microbial reorganization drives durable functional stability.
This fourth paper quantifies the dual climate benefits of the Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC). Field-verified data demonstrate that catalytic microbial resets generate both Sequestered Emissions (SE) through necromass stabilization in mineral-associated organic matter.
This fifth manuscript demonstrates how measured Functional Resilience (FRQ), Avoided Emissions (AE), and Sequestered Emissions (SE) data translate into finance-grade information through the Functional Carbon Account (FCA).
Manuscript 6 extends CAC into the financial domain, proposing a model in which verified soil-functional data form the basis of markets. The manuscript introduces the Functional Sustainability Architecture (FSA).
Part III explores how advancing application precision in strip-till fumigation is improving adaptability, seedbed conditions, and soil fumigation coverage across diverse field environments.
Chad Hutchinson of TriCal Group explains that “tired” potato fields are often the result of more than one issue. Soil-borne disease pressure, weaker carbon flow and small inefficiencies can build over time, reducing crop responsiveness and making yield performance less consistent.
Every successful orchard starts long before the first tree goes into the ground. The decisions growers make during the pre-plant phase have lasting impacts on tree establishment, productivity, and profitability for years—even decades—to come.
Black dot is spreading in potato fields — and farmers are right to be concerned. While not a new disease, black dot is becoming tougher to manage, stealing yield, blemishing tubers, and reducing marketability. That’s why Spud Smart brought together three experts for the Soil Under Siege panel.
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.
A greenhouse capsicum trial on the Adelaide Plains evaluated the effectiveness of pre-plant soil fumigation with Strike 60 for managing Root Knot Nematodes and improving crop performance. Weekly soil testing was conducted to measure nematode suppression and crop response under controlled greenhouse conditions.
In a recent op-ed in West Coast Nut Magazine, Renee Pinel, of Western Plant Health (WPH), puts long-standing claims about California agriculture to the test. Narratives have shaped public perception and fueled regulatory scrutiny at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and legislative activity.
The largest negative impact on marketable yield is caused by soil borne diseases including common scab and verticillium wilt. Of the two, common scab is the most frustrating limiter to marketable yield.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This past Fall we established 2 multi-year field trials in California. Our main objective is to examine the benefits of TELONE™ and Chloropicrin providing early rootstock establishment, promoting early growth, and stronger root systems as we have documented in other crop markets.
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.
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.
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.
Our latest research in Fresno County looks at how soil fumigation supports Pistachios, one of California’s fastest-growing and most valuable crops, by improving root health, encouraging early tree growth, and managing plant-parasitic nematodes.
A greenhouse capsicum trial on the Adelaide Plains evaluated the effectiveness of pre-plant soil fumigation with Strike 60 for managing Root Knot Nematodes and improving crop performance. Weekly soil testing was conducted to measure nematode suppression and crop response under controlled greenhouse conditions.
This fourth paper quantifies the dual climate benefits of the Catalyst-Activated Cycle (CAC). Field-verified data demonstrate that catalytic microbial resets generate both Sequestered Emissions (SE) through necromass stabilization in mineral-associated organic matter.
Pic-Plus stone fruit trial results are featured in the September issue of NZ Grower & Orchardist. The full trial results, including the crop and soil microbiome assessments, are featured in the September 2026 issue of NZ Grower & Orchardist.
Dr. Chad Hutchinson reviews how soil fumigation with Chloropicrin helps tackle potato scab, black dot, rhizoctonia, verticillium wilt, and nematodes while positively impacting overall soil health.?
Dennis Lane and Abbie Asche talk about soil fumigation and application safety.
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/.
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.
Triest Ag's agronomist, Josh Mays, was back out in the peanut field in Marion, SC recently doing some of the final evaluations on TriEst's soil fumigation trial. The peanuts were freshly turned and drying for harvest.
Potato Growers love seeing dual-application fumigation in process, and this view from above is even better. Check out this dual-application of TELONE™ (to combat nematodes) and chloropicrin (to target soil-borne diseases) on potatoes in Hastings, Florida.
1Can a soil fumigant be used as a biostimulant in agriculture? At TriEst Ag Group we're trying to find those answers. Josh Mays, our agronomist, and Josh Freeman, our Regional Sales Manager, go into further depth on this topic and our findings.
Black dot is spreading in potato fields — and farmers are right to be concerned. While not a new disease, black dot is becoming tougher to manage, stealing yield, blemishing tubers, and reducing marketability. That’s why Spud Smart brought together three experts for the Soil Under Siege panel.