Impact of biofumigation on reducing swine parasite contamination on organic pastures

Abstract

This study explored whether biofumigation with rapeseed can reduce swine parasite eggs in pasture soil. Pastures were subjected to four treatments: rapeseed or Ladino clover pastures, each with or without biofumigation (i.e. mechanical incorporation of plant residues into the soil). Each pasture was split into four paddocks and 8 to 9 pigs were given access to each paddock for one week. Fecal samples (n = 66) were collected from each pig before grazing for analysis of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and Oesophagostomum spp. egg counts. Soil samples (n = 480) were collected from each paddock before grazing, immediately after pigs were removed from paddocks, and weekly thereafter for three weeks for analysis of Ascaris suum, and Trichuris suis egg counts. Pasture treatment did not affect egg counts of either parasite species in the soil. Eggs of A. suum and T. suis in pasture soil were reduced (both P < 0.05) two weeks after pigs were removed, compared to before grazing and immediately after pigs were removed. This study demonstrated that biofumigation was not effective in reducing swine parasite eggs in organic pasture soil, and parasite contamination was reduced two weeks after pigs were removed from pastures regardless of biofumigation.