Daytime Solar Heat Treatment for the Suppression of Foliar Plant Pathogens in Polyethylene-Covered Greenhouses

Passive heat treatment of sweet basil crops suppresses white mould and grey mould

“…In practice, increasing temperature in warm regions can be achieved by closing the greenhouse openings or by using the means for passive heating that result in warming of the entire growing system or the root zone. Basil plants subjected to heat treatment are not only healthier, but also exhibit rapid development and high yields under commercial‐like conditions (Elad et al ., ; Shapiro et al ., ) and in pots under controlled conditions.…”

“…Thus, passive heating methods were allocated each to two to seven tunnels, either as stand‐alone methods or in combination. All of these methods allow the absorbance of solar irradiation and accumulation of heat energy during the sunny hours and the heating of the structure throughout the day (Elad et al ., , ; Shapiro et al ., ).…”

“…Maxin et al ., ). As far as is known, there have been no reports of any effects of daytime passive heating on diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea , apart from a preliminary report by the present authors (Elad et al ., ). Passive heating of greenhouse walk‐in tunnels during the winter results in increased yields (Shapiro et al ., ).…”

“…Passive heating of greenhouse walk‐in tunnels during the winter results in increased yields (Shapiro et al ., ). Temperatures in polyethylene‐covered sweet basil greenhouses that were kept closed for 6 h each day reached 42 °C during the winter period and the incidence of BGM in these greenhouses was reduced while basil yields increased (Elad et al ., ). A suppressive effect of this heating on sweet basil downy mildew was recently reported (Elad et al ., ).…”

“…A suppressive effect of this heating on sweet basil downy mildew was recently reported (Elad et al ., ). The quality and shelf life of the cut basil were not reduced by the passive heat treatment (Elad et al ., , ; Shapiro et al ., ). Similarly, elevated daytime temperatures obtained by closing the side walls of greenhouses can significantly suppress pepper powdery mildew ( Leveillula taurica ; anamorph: Oidiopsis sicula ) and tomato powdery mildew ( Oidium neolycopersici ; Elad et al ., ).…”