What are typical fumigant pressures?

What are typical fumigant pressures?

• A. 5-35 psi
• B. 1-10 psi
• C. 20-60 psi
• D. 50-100 psi

Answer: (A)

Fumigation relies on delivering gas into the soil at modest pressures so it can diffuse through pore spaces and saturate the root zone without forcing gas out around edges or causing damage. That’s why the typical range is in the low to moderate side: 5 to 35 psi covers most soil conditions and equipment setups, allowing enough push to penetrate the soil without creating rapid, uncontrolled escape or soil disturbance. If pressure is kept too low, distribution can be uneven and incomplete, especially in drier or coarser soils. Pressures much higher than this increase the risk of leaks around tarp edges, blowouts, and greater worker exposure, which is not desirable in ornamental and turf fumigation. So, the 5–35 psi range aligns with standard, safer practice across a variety of soil types.

Fumigation relies on delivering gas into the soil at modest pressures so it can diffuse through pore spaces and saturate the root zone without forcing gas out around edges or causing damage. That’s why the typical range is in the low to moderate side: 5 to 35 psi covers most soil conditions and equipment setups, allowing enough push to penetrate the soil without creating rapid, uncontrolled escape or soil disturbance.

If pressure is kept too low, distribution can be uneven and incomplete, especially in drier or coarser soils. Pressures much higher than this increase the risk of leaks around tarp edges, blowouts, and greater worker exposure, which is not desirable in ornamental and turf fumigation. So, the 5–35 psi range aligns with standard, safer practice across a variety of soil types.