Groundwater Contamination

INTRODUCTION In the southern United States, chemicals are an integral part of the management of bare-root nurseries. The rationale for using chemicals is based on economics as they can reduce hand labor, improve the use of valuable seed, and increase seedling performance. The cost of all chemicals associated with loblolly pine seedling production averages less than 0.2 cent per seedling. The cost of nitrogen (N) fertilizers (including usage for cover crops) is less than 0.01 cent per seedling. The most expensive chemical treatment (fumigation with methyl bromide and chloropicrin) costs about 0.15 cent per seedling. The total cost of producing a bare-root loblolly pine seedling is usually less than 2.5 cents, due in part to increased efficiencies provided by chemicals. In 1993, one nursery contracted to grow loblolly pine for as little as 1.8 cents per seedling (excluding seed cost).