ISHS Acta Horticulturae 542: VII International Symposium on the Processing Tomato
WEEDS AND PLANT DISEASES IN CROP ROTATION SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING TOMATOES UNDER CENTER PIVOT IN CENTRAL BRAZIL |
| Authors: | W.L.C. Silva, W. Pereira, C.A. Lopes, R.R. Fontes, M.JR. Lobo |
| Keywords: | Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, polyetic disease, beans, herbicides, weed seed bank |
| Abstract:
An eight-year study (1991–1998) was carried out to evaluate the effect of eight crop rotation systems on the dynamics of weeds and plant diseases associated with the processing tomato crop in Brasilia, DF, Brazil. This crop, center pivot irrigated, was rotated with wheat, dry edible beans, forage oat, and tomato itself as controls, on a yearly basis, during the dry, cool months (May–September). During the rainy, warm months (November–March) all plots were cultivated to maize. The 46 species of weeds that have been identified in the plots are predominantly dicotyledons. Crop sequences consisting of tomatoes, wheat, and maize showed the highest levels of efficiency in reducing the weed seed bank. Sclerotinia rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was the major disease affecting the tomato crop. Disease incidence started from near zero in 1991 and increased annually, reaching more than 50% of the plants in some cases, but declined or stabilized after the fifth year in the tomato monoculture. The worst sequences in terms of disease incidence included beans. Late infection and adequate soil and irrigation management practices contributed to reducing the damage caused by the disease. Rotation with grasses, mainly maize and wheat, make it possible to control both weeds and Sclerotinia rot to a certain extent. | |
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