Phytoparasitica (2002) 30 (3) - Soil solarization using ...

A. Gamliel, Yael Skutelsky, I. Peretz-Alon and E. Becker (2002)
Soil solarization using sprayable plastic polymers to control soilborne pathogens in field crops
Phytoparasitica 30 (3)
The 23rd Congress of the Israeli Phytopathological Society - February 11-12, 2002
Abstract: Applying plastic films for soil solarization requires special equipment and procedures. A sprayable polymer product, 'Ecotex', was developed together with the technology for economical application on soil for various purposes. A black polymer formulation can raise the soil temperature and retain soil moisture under summer conditions in Israel. This process allows soil solarization and can significantly reduce populations of soilborne pathogens. The effect of soil solarization using sprayable polymers for controlling soilborne diseases in potato and peanut crops was tested in several field plots. Sprayable polymer (Ecotex, Nir Oz, Israel) was applied at rates of 800–1000 kg ha^-1, using the special technology and sprayer which were developed for that purpose. In specific experiments, standard plastic mulch was applied for comparison. In order to enhance pest control, solarization was combined with fumigants or organic amendments, which were applied prior to mulching the soil. Soil coating using sprayable material resulted in a membrane film which can raise soil temperature to solarization level. The soil heating process with sprayable mulch is faster than that with plastic film, but the soil temperature is also cooled down more at night. Overall, soil temperatures under sprayable mulch are inferior to those obtained under plastic film. The thickness of the sprayed coat is critical to obtaining effective heating with the mulch. Combining solarization with formalin fumigation enables effective reduction of populations of Streptomyces at reduced dosages. Two field studies were established to test the effect of spray mulch solarization in the crop rotation, which included a 4-year rotation of potatoes, wheat, fallow and peanuts. Ecotex was combined with fumigants (formalin and applied before either the peanut or the potato crop. The combined treatment was effective in controlling Verticillium wilt in potatoes as the first crop in exp. 1 and peanut pot wart in exp. 2. The long-term effect of the treatments was evident in the increased yield of the third crop (peanuts in exp. 1, and potatoes in exp. 2) without any additional disinfestation treatment. It was pronounced also by the control of peanut pod wart (exp. 1) and Verticillium wilt of potato (exp. 2). In a third study, conducted in a field heavily infested with soilborne pathogens, Ecotex was combined with formalin or soymeal. Wheat was grown and incorporated as green manure before the peanut and potato crops in separate experiments. Solarization with sprayable polymers had a significant effect in controlling disease incidence of Verticillium, Rhizoctonia, and tuber scab in potatoes, and pod wart in peanuts. Soil solarization using sprayable membranes when combined with fumigants or organic amendments can be an effective soil treatment in field crops.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Verticillium dahliae	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Israel