Modeling the survival of two soilborne pathogens under dry structural solarization

ABSTRACT Structural (space) solarization of a closed, empty greenhouse for sanitation involves dry heating to 60 degrees C and higher and low relative humidity (RH), under a fluctuating temperature and RH regime. Survival of inocula of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and Sclerotium rolfsii during structural solarization was studied for 4 years (total of 12 experiments) in an attempt to develop a dynamic model for expressing the thermal inactivation of the pathogens. After 20 days of exposure, the populations of F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and S. rolfsii were reduced by 69 to 95% and by 47.5 to 100%, respectively. The Weibull distribution model was applied to describe pathogen survival. The Weibull rate parameter, b, was found to follow an exponential (for F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici) and the Fermi (for S. rolfsii) functions at constant temperatures. To improve the applicability of the model, fluctuating conditions of both temperature and RH were utilized. The Weibull distribution derivative, expressed as a function of temperature and moisture, was numerically integrated to estimate survival of inocula exposed to structural solarization. Deviations between experimental and calculated values derived from the model were quite small and the coefficient of determination (R (2)) values ranged from 0.83 to 0.99 in 9 of 12 experiments, indicating that ambient RH data should be considered. Structural solarization for sanitation could be a viable component in integrated pest management programs.     

Survival of plant pathogens under structural solarization

Structural solarization of greenhouses is a nonchemical sanitation procedure. The method involves dry heating, since maximal temperatures may exceed 60°C and consequent relative humidity (r.h.) is low (ca 15%), under fluctuating temperature and r.h. regimes. Thirty-five structural solarization experiments were performed over 7 years, testing one bacterial and five fungal plant pathogens. Various aspects of pathogen thermal inactivation under this method were studied. Thermal inactivation of the various pathogens differed according to the organism and inoculum form. Sensitivity to heat was highest withClavibacter michiganensis subsp.michiganensis and lowest withFusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicislycopersici inoculum in dry infected tomato stems, with ED₈₀ values of 7 and 47 days, respectively; intermediate values were obtained forPythium sp.,F. oxysporum f.sp.melonis, F. oxysporum f.sp.basilici andSclerotium rolfsii. The maximal ambient temperatures were in the range of 28.2° to 33.1°C. Structural solarization for sanitation can be a useful component of integrated pest management in greenhouses. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 28, 2004.     

Effect of solarization and fumigant applications on soilborne pathogens and root-knot nematodes in greenhouse-grown tomato in Turkey

A study was conducted in two greenhouses with a history of Fusarium crown and root rot (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis-lycopersici, Forl) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica andM. incognita). During the 2005–06 growing season, the effectiveness of soil disinfestation by solarization in combination with low doses of metham-sodium (500, 750, 1000 and 1250l ha⁻¹) or dazomet (400 g ha⁻¹), was tested against soilborne pathogens and nematodes in an attempt to find a suitable alternative to methyl bromide, which is soon to be phased out. Solarization alone was not effective in the greenhouse with a high incidence ofForl. In the greenhouse with a low level ofForl, all the treatments tested reduced disease incidence, and were therefore considered to be applicable for soil disinfestation. In addition, root-knot nematode density decreased with all the treatments tested in both of the greenhouses.     

The role of soilborne pathogens under conditions of intensive agriculture

The importance of soilborne pathogens is discussed with regard to their buildup, factors leading to severity of disease, and control measures. The role of monoculture, stress conditions and pathogen survival is considered. Among control measures, cultivar tolerance and soil fumigation are analyzed.     

Adaptation of soil solarization to the integrated management of soilborne pests of tomato under humid conditions

ABSTRACT Soil solarization was shown to be cost effective, compatible with other pest management tactics, readily integrated into standard production systems, and a valid alternative to preplant fumigation with methyl bromide under the tested conditions. Solarization using clear, photoselective, or gas-impermeable plastic was evaluated in combination with metham sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin, methyl bromide + chloropicrin, pebulate, or cabbage residue. Strip solarization, applied to 20-cm-high, 0.9-m-wide beds, was conducted to achieve compatibility with standard production practices and resulted in soil temperatures 2 to 4 degrees C above those temperatures resulting when using conventional flatbed solarization. Soil temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C higher at the edges of the raised beds, eliminating any border effects associated with solarization. Following a 40- to 55-day solarization period, the plastic was painted white and used as a production mulch for a subsequent tomato crop. The incidence of Southern blight and the density of Paratrichodorus minor and Criconemella spp. were lower (P < 0.05) in solarized plots. No differences (P < 0.05) in the incidence of Fusarium wilt and the density of nutsedge and Helicotylenchus spp. were observed between plots receiving solarization and plots fumigated with a mixture of methyl bromide + chloropicrin. The severity of root galling was lower (P < 0.05) when soil solarization was combined with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin (16.2 + 3.4 g/m(2)) and a gas-impermeable film. The incidence of bacterial wilt was not affected by soil treatments. Marketable yields in plots using various combinations of soil solarization and other tactics were similar (P < 0.05) to yields obtained in plots fumigated with methyl bromide + chloropicrin. The results were validated in several large scale field experiments conducted by commercial growers.     

Efficacy of different steam distribution systems against five soilborne pathogens under controlled laboratory conditions

The efficacy of three steam application techniques (steam injection, iron pan and sheet steaming) was evaluated against five soilborne pathogens under controlled laboratory conditions. Injection and pan steam systems proved to be efficient and feasible alternatives to traditional sheet steaming for suppressing Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici at 60% moisture field capacity in sandy-loam soil. Injecting steam was the best technique to suppress F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici, F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani, F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici. The mycelia of R. solani and P. capsici were very sensitive to heat and were effectively killed by injection of steam and by the pan steam system at 80% and 40% moisture field capacity.     

Integrated control of soilborne and bulbborne pathogens in Iris

Coating iris bulbs with a preparation ofTrichoderma harzianum was highly effective under greenhouse conditions in reducing incidence of diseases caused byRhizoctonia solani andSclerotium rolfsii. In field experiments with irises for bulb production, the incidence ofR. solani in plants and bulbs was effectively reduced (up to 93%), and the yield increased (by 35–41%), by applyingT. harzianum either as a bulb coating or broadcast application (biological treatment), treating soil with pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB; quintozene) (chemical treatment), or solarizing the soil by mulching it with transparent polyethylene sheets (physical treatment) prior to planting. Combined treatments,i.e., chemical-biological or physicalbiological, were the most effective.T. harzianum bulb treatment and broadcast application in field plots increasedTrichoderma population density in the soil by 4–27 times.     

Effect of soil solarization on weeds and nematodes under tropical Indian conditions

The control of weeds and nematodes by solar heating of the soil using transparent polyethylene (PE) sheets was studied in the field during the summer of 1990. PE mulching for 32 days decreased the emergence from seed of the dominant weeds Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv., Acrachne racemosa (Roem. & Schult.) Ohwi, Trianthema monogyna L. and Cyperus rotundus L. by over 90%. Emergence of C. rotundus from tubers was increased by the mulching treatments. Mulching for 16 days also decreased weed emergence but to a lesser extent than the 32-day treatment. The main solarization effect was restricted to the 0–5 cm layer of soil. Solarization reduced the population of plant-parasitic nematodes (Tylenchus, Heterodera, Xiphinema, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus and Ro-tylenchus spp.) by about 90% and of saprophytic nematodes by about 60% but, after 70 days, the nematode levels had largely recovered. The mean maximum soil temperatures recorded at 5 cm were higher when mulching followed irrigation. Data are given on the soil temperatures recorded over the 32-day period. The growth of soybean was improved and seed yield increased by up to 78% following solarization. Effet de la solarisation du sol sur les mauvaises herbes et les nematodes en conditions tropicales indiennes La lutte contre les mauvaises herbes et les nématodes par solarisation du sol à l'aide de films de polyéthylène transparent (PE) a étéétudiée au champ pendant l'été 1990. Trente deux jours de solarisation diminuaient de plus de 90% la levée à partir de graines des mauvaises herbes dominantes Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv., Acrachne racemosa (Roem. & Schult.) Ohwi, Trianthema monogyna L. et Cyperus rotundus L. La levée de C. rotundusà partir de tubercules était accrue par la solarisation. Seize jours de solarisation diminuaient aussi la levée des mauvaises herbes, mais dans un moindre mesure. L'effet de solarisation s'exerçait principalement dans les 5 centimètres superficiels du sol. La solarisation réduisait d'environ 90% la population de nématodes parasites des plantes (Tylenchus, Heterodera, Xiphinema, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus et Rotylenchus spp.) et d'environ 60% la population des nématodes saprophytes. Après 70 jours, les populations de nematodes étaient pratiquement reconstituées. Les moyennes des températures maximales du sol enregistrées à 5 cm de profondeur étaient plus élevées quand l'installation du film polyéthylène suivait une irrigation. Des données concernant la température du sol sur 32 jours sont communiques. La croissance du soja était accrue et le rendement en grains augmentait jusqu'à 78% après solarisation. Wirkung der Bodensolarisation auf Unkräuter und Nematoden unter tropischen Bedingungen Die Bekämpfung von Unkräutern und Nematoden durch Solarisation mittels farbloser Polyethylenfolia (PE) wurde im Sommer 1990 im Freiland untersucht. Nach 32tägiger Solarisation nahm die Keimung der vorherrschenden Unkräuter Dactyloctenium aegypticum (L.) P. Beauv., Acrachne racemosa (Roem. & Schult.) Ohwi, Trianthema monogyna L. und Cyperus rotundus L. um über 90% ab. Der Austrieb von Cyperus rotundus aus Knollen wurde gefördert. Eine l6tägige Solarisation war nicht so wirkungsvoll. Die Wirkung war auf die oberste Bodenschicht bis 5 cm Tiefe beschränkt. Gegen pflanzenparasitische Nematoden (Tylenchus, Heterodera, Xiphinema, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus und Rotylenchus spp.) betrug die Wirkung der Solarisation etwa 90%, gegen saprophytische Nematoden rund 60%, aber nach 70 Tagen hatten sich die Nematodenpopulationen wieder weitgehend erholt. Nach Bewässerung wurde in 5 cm Tiefe eine höhere Bodentemperatur erreicht. Für die 32-Tage-Periode werden die Temperaturdaten wiedergegeben. Nach der Solarisation war das Wachstum von Sojabohne verbessert, und die Erträge stiegen um bis zu 78%.     

Controlled laboratory system to study soil solarization and organic amendment effects on plant pathogens

ABSTRACT A controlled laboratory system for simulating soil solarization, with and without organic amendment, was developed and validated using physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The system consists of soil containers that are exposed to controlled and constant aeration, and to temperature fluctuations that resemble those occurring during solarization at various depths. This system enables a separate analysis of volatiles and other components. We recorded a sharp decrease in oxygen concentration in the soil atmosphere followed by a gradual increase to the original concentration during solarization in the field and heating in the simulation system of soil amended with wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris). The combined treatment of organic amendment and solarization (or heating in the controlled system) was highly effective at controlling populations of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici. Changes in soil pH, enzymatic activities, and microbial populations followed, in most cases, trends which were similar under both solarization and the heating system, when exposed to controlled aerobic conditions. The reliability and validity of the system in simulating physical, chemical, and biological processes taking place during solarization is demonstrated.     

Pseudomonas biocontrol agents of soilborne pathogens: looking back over 30 years

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas spp. are ubiquitous bacteria in agricultural soils and have many traits that make them well suited as biocontrol agents of soilborne pathogens. Tremendous progress has been made in characterizing the process of root colonization by pseudomonads, the biotic and abiotic factors affecting colonization, bacterial traits and genes contributing to rhizosphere competence, and the mechanisms of pathogen suppression. This review looks back over the last 30 years of Pseudomonas biocontrol research and highlights key studies, strains, and findings that have had significant impact on shaping our current understanding of biological control by bacteria and the direction of future research.     

Control of soilborne plant pathogens by incorporating fresh organic amendments followed by tarping

ABSTRACT A new method for the control of soilborne plant pathogens was tested for its efficacy in two field experiments during two years. Plots were amended with fresh broccoli or grass (3.4 to 4.0 kg fresh weight m(-2)) or left nonamended, and covered with an airtight plastic cover (0.135 mm thick) or left noncovered. In plots amended with broccoli or grass and covered with plastic sheeting, anaerobic and strongly reducing soil conditions developed quickly, as indicated by rapid depletion of oxygen and a decrease in redox potential values to as low as -200 mV. After 15 weeks, survival of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi, Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahliae in inoculum samples buried 15 cm deep was strongly reduced in amended, covered plots in both experiments. The pathogens were not or hardly inactivated in amended, noncovered soil or nonamended, covered soil. The latter indicates that thermal inactivation due to increased soil temperatures under the plastic cover was not involved in pathogen inactivation. The results show the potential for this approach to control various soilborne pathogens and that it may serve as an alternative to chemical soil disinfestation for high-value crops under conditions where other alternatives, such as solarization or soil flooding, are not effective or not feasible.     

Drip application of methyl bromide alternative chemicals for control of soilborne pathogens and weeds

BACKGROUND: Producers of several high‐value crops in California have traditionally used preplant soil fumigation with methyl bromide/chloropicrin combinations. Although methyl bromide has been phased out since 2005, several crop industries, including cut flower producers, have continued methyl bromide use under Critical Use Exemptions, a provision of the Montreal Protocol. This research was conducted to evaluate newer, emerging methyl bromide alternative chemicals. RESULTS: Two field trials were conducted to test several emerging chemicals in combination with metam sodium as replacements for methyl bromide. Emerging chemicals included 2‐bromoethanol, dimethyl disulfide, furfural, propylene oxide and sodium azide. Weed and pathogen populations were measured after chemical application, and seed viability was assessed from weed seed previously buried in the plots. In the first trial, the emerging chemicals did not improve pest control compared with metam sodium alone. However, in the second trial, several of these chemicals did improve the pest control performance of metam sodium. CONCLUSIONS: The emerging alternative chemicals have the potential to provide better control of soilborne pathogens and weeds when used with metam sodium than metam sodium alone. Registration of these materials could provide California growers with a broader choice of tools compared with the limited methyl bromide alternatives now available. Published 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combined soil treatments and sequence of application in improving the control of soilborne pathogens

ABSTRACT The effects of reduced doses of methyl bromide (MB) or metham sodium, heating, short solarization, and soil microbial activity, alone or in combination, on survival of soilborne fungal pathogens were tested in a controlled-environment system and field plots. Sublethal doses of heating or MB delayed germination of Sclerotium rolfsii sclerotia. Combining MB and heating treatments was more effective than either treatment alone in controlling S. rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici. The application heating followed by fumigation with MB, was significantly more effective in delaying and reducing germination of S. rolfsii sclerotia and in controlling F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici than the opposite sequence. Further, incubation in soil and exposure to microbial activity of previously heated or MB-treated sclerotia increased the mortality rate, indicating a weakening effect. Similarly, incubation of chlamydospores of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis and F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici in soil in the field after fumigation further reduced their survival, confirming the laboratory results. In field tests, combining MB or metham sodium at reduced doses with short solarization was more effective in controlling fungal pathogens than either treatment alone. Treatment sequence significantly affected pathogen control in the field, similar to its effect under controlled conditions. This study demonstrates a frequent synergistic effect of combining soil treatments and its potential for improving pathogen control and reducing pesticide dose, especially when an appropriate sequence was followed.     

Effect of soil solarization on the control of Phytophthora root rot in avocado

Phytophthora root rot is of paramount importance in avocado orchards of southern Spain. Soil solarization has been demonstrated to control the pathogen in infested areas from which infected trees had been removed. We aimed to determine whether soil solarization in established avocado orchards controls the disease. Soil solarization increased average maximum hourly soil temperatures by 6.5–6.9°C in unshaded areas of avocado orchards in coastal areas of southern Spain, depending on depth and year. The corresponding temperatures in shaded areas were c. 2–3°C lower. P. cinnamomi in soil, on infected avocado rootlets, and in a nutrient substrate buried at 30–60 cm depth was reduced to negligible amounts after 6–8 weeks of solarization in both unshaded and shaded locations of avocado orchards. P. cinnamomi could not be detected in avocado rootlets up to 14 months later, suggesting a long-term effect. Soil solarization did not affect growth of the trees, and fruit yields were increased as compared with control plots. Following soil solarization for 3 weeks from mid-July 1994, when maximum hourly temperatures reached 33–36°C, P. cinnamomi could not be recovered from a depth of up to 45 cm in unshaded areas or from a depth of up to 30 cm in shaded areas after the initial 10-day period. The viability of inoculum of the pathogen buried at depths between 15 and 60 cm in bare soil was determined by sequential sampling in two solarization experiments starting 12 June and 4 July 1995, respectively. In the first experiment, P. cinnamomi could not be detected at any depth after 4–8 weeks of solarization in unshaded areas but could be recovered at all depths except 15 cm in shaded areas. In the second experiment, where temperatures were higher and the soil surface not shaded, P. cinnamomi could not be recovered after 2 weeks at 15 and 30 cm.     

Effect of different organic amendments on lettuce fusarium wilt and on selected soilborne microorganisms

This study evaluated the effect of different organic amendments on lettuce fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae in pots under controlled conditions. Their effects on the density of the pathogen, on the total fungi and on fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were also evaluated after two subsequent lettuce crops. A significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae was found after the use of Brassica carinata pellets (52–79% reduction) and compost (49–67% reduction), while Brassica green manure and cattle and chicken manure only provided partial control of fusarium wilt. However, variations in effectiveness were observed for the same treatment in repeated trials. In general, an increase was observed in Pseudomonas and a decrease in fungal populations in the growing medium, which was obtained by mixing a blonde sphagnum peat and a sandy loam soil with B. carinata pellets and compost after two consecutive cropping cycles. Prolonging the Brassica and compost treatments from 30 to 60 days did not significantly affect disease severity, plant growth or the microbial population of the total fungi or Pseudomonas. The largest lettuce biomass was obtained in the non‐inoculated growing medium amended with brassica flour, chicken manure, B. carinata pellets and compost, as a consequence of fertilization. The treatment with B. juncea green manure, B. carinata (pellets and flour) and compost applied 30 days before planting led to promising results and merits further investigation for use under field conditions.     

不同土壤湿度条件下绿色木霉对尖孢镰刀菌数量的影响

采用平板菌落计数法研究在不同土壤湿度条件下绿色木霉在土壤中的定殖动态及对尖孢镰刀菌数量的影响。结果显示：在3个土壤湿度条件下, 接种木霉后前4周均能显著降低镰刀菌的数量; 与对照2(CK-H06)相比, 处理(B2-H06)中木霉的孢子含量没有显著性变化。第1、2周, 对照1(CK-B2)与处理(B2-H06)的镰刀菌含量与土壤湿度呈显著性正相关; 在第5周, 处理(B2-H06)的镰刀菌和木霉菌含量与土壤湿度呈显著性负相关。     

Effect of soil solarization on the survival of fungal antagonists of Verticillium dahliae1

Talaromyces flavus, a fungal antagonist of Verticillium dahliae, naturally occurring in clay loam artichoke fields or sandy loam olive groves, is able to survive following application of soil solarization. Survival was almost always linked to an increase in T. flavus populations detected in the rhizosphere of artichoke plants or olive trees with a verticillium wilt history as compared with the untreated control soils. It was evident that soil solarization resulted in the control of the disease in artichoke fields and the recovery of olive trees from V. dahliae infection. It was furthermore proved that solarization had a beneficial long-term effect in controlling V. dahliae for a period of 2 or 3 consecutive years. This could at least partially be attributed to the activity of T. flavus in inhibiting the germination of microsclerotia or causing their death. Aspergillus terreus, another potential V. dahliae antagonist, was also found to survive and occasionally increase following the application of the technique.