ISHS Acta Horticulturae 255: III International Symposium on Soil Desinfestation
SOLARIZATION FOR THE RECYCLING OF CONTAINER MEDIA |
| Authors: | A. Gamliel, J. Katan, Y. Chen, A. Grinstein |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.255.21 |
| Abstract:
The use of container (potting) media in greenhouses is expanding. Mixtures of compost and tuff (volcanic ash) constitute container media that are cheaper than the commonly used peat. Intensive plant growth in container media causes plant stunting and yield decline, apparently due to the accumulation of abiotic and biotic factors. Solarization (by covering the moistened soil with transparent polyethylene during the hot months) is commonly employed to control soilborne pathogens. The use of solarization for recycling container media for tomato growing was tested. Media consisting of composted separated manure (CSM) or peat and tuff were used for one growing season of cucumbers and then collected and exposed to solarization in 15 cm deep containers that were tarped with transparent polyethylene during July-August 1987. Following solarization, the mixtures were used for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. The development and yield of the tomatoes were compared with those of plants growing in previously used nonsolarized media or in newly prepared media of the same composition. Plant vigor was better in the solarization treatments and the picking period was longer. The total yield in the solarized treatments was 30 % and 12 % higher in the CSM and peat, respectively, than in the nonsolarized. High quality yield in the solarized CSM mixture was 400 % greater than in the nonsolarized mixture. The yield of tomatoes grown in newly prepared mixtures was the lowest. Rhizosphere and root colonization by fluorescent pseudomonads was higher in plants growing in the solarized media throughout the growth period, while the opposite was true for deleterious fungi. Recycling of container media may be useful for improving plant yield and quality and for reducing costs. | |
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