Agricultural fumigation using a multilayer film including a pvdc vapor barrier

Abstract

Methods for fumigating soil include applying over fumigant-treated soil a multilayer polymeric film to form a vapor barrier between the fumigant-treated soil and the atmosphere to at least partially contain the fumigant. The multilayer film includes at least one barrier layer comprising at least one vinylidene chloride polymer and protecting layers on each side of the barrier layer. The multilayer film preferably has at least one UV protecting layer and optionally at least one reflective layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising covering soil including sulfuryl fluoride with a multilayer polymeric film, wherein the film comprises a PVDC barrier layer comprising less than about 10% of the thickness of the multilayer polymeric film, a first protecting layer on a first side of the PVDC barrier layer and a second protecting layer on a second side of the PVDC barrier layer. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second protecting layers comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a low density polyethylene, an ethylene octene
 polymer, an ethylene vinyl acetate, a substantially linear ethylene polymer, an ethylene methyl acrylate and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the protecting layers is a UV protecting layer that further comprises at least one of carbon black, a hindered amine light stabilizer, and benzophenone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the protecting layers is a reflective layer that further comprises at least one of titanium dioxide and a metallic pigment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reflective layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), an ethylene-octene copolymer, a substantially linear ethylene polymer, a low density polyethylene, a nylon, a polypropylene and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the film farther comprises at least one tie layer comprising ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the film further comprises at least one encapsulating layer comprising a member selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene methacrylate and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising covering soil including a fumigant with a polymeric film comprising a PVDC barrier layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the PVDC barrier layer comprises at least one alkyl acrylate vinylidene chloride interpolymer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier layer includes a first protecting layer on a first side of the PVDC barrier layer and a second protecting layer on a second side of the PVDC barrier layer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fumigant includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl bromide, chloropicrin, 1,3-dichloro-1-propene (cis), 1,3-dichloro-1-propene (trans), methyl isothiocyanate, metham-sodium, methyl iodide, sulfuryl fluoride, dimethyl dibromide, dimethyl disulfide, metam potassium, dazomet, 1,1,1,-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and mixtures thereof.