ISHS Acta Horticulturae 382: IV International Symposium on Soil and Substrate Infestation and Disinfestation
THE USE OF METHYL BROMIDE AS A SOIL DISINFESTANT IN POTATO CULTIVATION IN ISRAEL |
| Authors: | A. Nachmias, L. Lahkim, L. Livescu, J. Krikun |
| Keywords: | Methyl bromide, potato, Verticillium dahliae, Rhizoctonia solani, Streptomyces scabies |
| Abstract:
The major potato production area in Israel is the Negev desert where all field crops are fully irrigated. Therefore, the possibilities to change field locations are limited. Moreover, other crops in rotation, such as peanut, radish, carrot and sweet potato, are hosts for similar soilborne pathogens, e.g. Verticillium dahliae, Streptomyces scabies, Rhizoctonia solani, and Pythium spp. These are the main reasons why soil fumigation is an obligatory treatment for continuous potato production. During the last decade, field experiments and observations with methyl bromide (MB) treatment have been carried out at the Gilat Regional Experiment Station and other locations in the Negev region. MB treatment in Verticillium-infected soil increases the yield and its quality especially in Verticillium-susceptible cultivars. The increase in yield in the spring season is more substantial in a loess-type soil due to treatment with MB (23%), whereas in a sandy soil the effect is considerably less (13%). A field observation in a commercial farm showed that, in spite of the high cost of MB treatment, it is economically beneficial when a 3-year crop rotation is practiced. With the limitations of irrigation and available fields and crop rotation, soil disinfestation is a necessity for potato production in the Negev. MB has proven to be an efficient method of treatment, but, it is very important that attempts be made to reduce the quantities applied, in consideration of the environment. | |
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