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.

Alternatives to Methyl Bromide: A Florida Perspective.

“…Solarization on raised beds achieved higher soil temperatures than broadcast applications, thus improving its efficacy and eliminating any border effects (16). Strip solarization was also found to be effective and economically feasible when compared to soil fumigation with methyl bromide:chloropicrin (16,17).…”

“…lycopersici and Fusarium crown rot (Fusarium lycopersici f. sp. radiscis-lycopersici) are found throughout the state (16,111). Fusarium crown rot is more of a problem when the soil temperatures are cool (100), while Fusarium wilt is favored by higher temperatures and is very common in sandy soils.…”

“…Fusarium crown rot is more of a problem when the soil temperatures are cool (100), while Fusarium wilt is favored by higher temperatures and is very common in sandy soils. Races 1, 2 and 3 of this pathogen are present throughout the state of Florida (16). Symptoms of Fusarium wilt on mature plants often begin as a leaf-yellowing that occurs on one side of the plant and also on only one side of a leaflet.…”

“…In Florida, soil solarization was initially conducted by covering entire fields (broadcast solarization) with clear or photoselective polyethylene plastic (15,75,97). Subsequently it was adapted to local production systems by using clear plastic to solarize raised beds (strip solarization) and then painting the plastic white so it could be used as a horticultural mulch (16). Solarization on raised beds achieved higher soil temperatures than broadcast applications, thus improving its efficacy and eliminating any border effects (16).…”

“…Subsequently it was adapted to local production systems by using clear plastic to solarize raised beds (strip solarization) and then painting the plastic white so it could be used as a horticultural mulch (16). Solarization on raised beds achieved higher soil temperatures than broadcast applications, thus improving its efficacy and eliminating any border effects (16). Strip solarization was also found to be effective and economically feasible when compared to soil fumigation with methyl bromide:chloropicrin (16,17).…”