ISHS Acta Horticulturae 255: III International Symposium on Soil Desinfestation
LOW COST APPLICATION OF SOIL SOLARIZATION IN COVERED PLASTIC HOUSES FOR THE CONTROL OF VERTICILLIUM WILT OF TOMATOES IN GREECE |
| Authors: | E.C. Tjamos, V. Karapapa, D. Bardas |
| Abstract:
Effective, long lasting and low cost application of soil solarization in plastic houses of Central Greece for the control of Verticillium wilt of tomatoes was demonstrated. Fields previously cultivated to cotton had a severe Verticillium wilt history. Extensive establishment of plastic houses for tomato production by several farmers during that last 5 years resulted in a devastating effect of V. dahliae on the Dombito tomato hybrid. Application of soil solarization started to be used in 1985 with the aim of reducing the impact of the disease. This was achieved by applying solarization in closed plastic houses during summer. The application of solarization without the tedious, laborious and time consuming procedure of anchoring the plastic to the soil had a beneficial effect by diminishing V. dahliae microsclerotia population and increasing yield several times compared to the untreated control. This evidence constitutes one best example of effective commercial long-lasting and cheap application of soil solarization so far in Greece. | |
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