Articles
ORGANIC AMENDMENTS AND PATHOGEN CONTROL: PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL AND AGRONOMIC ASPECTS
Article number
1044_10
Pages
95 – 103
Language
English
Abstract
Reliable control of plant pathogens and parasitic nematodes with organic soil amendments is facilitated through their coordinated use within a systems-based approach to the management of soilborne pests.
Their effectiveness is improved when they are combined with other cultural practices that support the establishment and growth of pest suppressive soil microbial communities and promote the development of vigorous, stress-free root systems of the plant hosts.
Crop rotation, soil solarization, and host resistance are examples of other pest management tactics that when used in conjunction with organic soil amendments, enhance their performance.
Selection of organic amendment should include consideration of carbon and nitrogen sources that selectively promote functional groups of soil microbes directly related to pest and pathogen control.
Establishment of soils with resilient/stable populations of disease and nematode suppressive micro-organisms through the use of organic amendments can be monitored by genomic or enzymatic profiling of soil microbial communities and identifying substrate-mediated shifts in their composition.
Use of organic amendments within a systems-based approach to manage an economically threatening soilborne pest is provided through an example of the management of sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) on strawberry (Fragaria ananassa). With this example, crop damage from sting nematode was mitigated through the combined use of chitin-based organic amendments with a beneficial cover crop of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), soil solarization, and a crop termination treatment at the end of the previous cropping cycle to reduce over-seasoning nematode populations.
Their effectiveness is improved when they are combined with other cultural practices that support the establishment and growth of pest suppressive soil microbial communities and promote the development of vigorous, stress-free root systems of the plant hosts.
Crop rotation, soil solarization, and host resistance are examples of other pest management tactics that when used in conjunction with organic soil amendments, enhance their performance.
Selection of organic amendment should include consideration of carbon and nitrogen sources that selectively promote functional groups of soil microbes directly related to pest and pathogen control.
Establishment of soils with resilient/stable populations of disease and nematode suppressive micro-organisms through the use of organic amendments can be monitored by genomic or enzymatic profiling of soil microbial communities and identifying substrate-mediated shifts in their composition.
Use of organic amendments within a systems-based approach to manage an economically threatening soilborne pest is provided through an example of the management of sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) on strawberry (Fragaria ananassa). With this example, crop damage from sting nematode was mitigated through the combined use of chitin-based organic amendments with a beneficial cover crop of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), soil solarization, and a crop termination treatment at the end of the previous cropping cycle to reduce over-seasoning nematode populations.
Publication
Authors
D.O. Chellemi, J.W. Noling, S. Sambhav
Keywords
agroecology, integrated pest management, soil microbiology, sustainability
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