ISHS Acta Horticulturae 532: International Symposium on Chemical and Non-Chemical Soil and Substrate Disinfectation
SOIL AMENDMENTS: A NON CHEMICAL APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SOILBORNE PEST |
| Author: | A. Gamliel |
| Keywords: | plant residues, biofumigation, soil disinfestation, solarization, volatile compounds |
| Abstract:
Combining organic amendments with soil solarization constitutes a nonchemical approach to improve the control of soilborne pests. Heating a soil covered with plastic film and amended with appropriate organic material accelerates a chain reaction of chemical and microbial degradation events, leading to the generation of toxic compounds in the vapor and liquid soil phase. The generation of toxic compounds is increased with temperature. These compounds accumulate under the plastic mulch, and their toxicity against soil flora and fauna, primarily soilborne plant pathogens, is enhanced. The plastic mulch traps the volatile compounds and creates an atmosphere in the soil, that enhances the degradation of organic matter. The effectiveness of solarizing organic amended soil as a control method was validated under commercial field conditions. The long-term effect of the combined treatments is also explored. | |
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