EFFECTS OF SOLARIZATION AND BIOFUMIGATION ON TOMATO GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN COAST OF SICILY

The phase out of methyl bromide in 2005 has mobilized researchers to develop feasible alternatives for control of soilborne pathogenic fungi and nematodes affecting crops.
Solarization by covering soil with polyethylene film is used as an effective method of soil disinfestation for high-value crops.
An alternative approach has been recently provided by the cultivation and green manure of selected Brassicaceae plants releasing natural toxic volatiles (biofumigation) that reduces soil pests.
The objective of this study was to evaluate solarization and biofumigation alone or in combination as preplant soil treatments for plasticulture tomato production in the Southern coast of Sicily (Italy). Brassica juncea selection ISCI20, was sown in spring 2003 and 2004. Plants at full flowering stage were cut, collected and the biomass incorporated into the soil of a plastic covered greenhouse.
Different rates of biomass (0, 10, and 20 t ha^-1) either alone or in combination with solarization were tested.
Plots to be solarized were covered with transparent polyethylene mulch and left undisturbed for 63 and 50 days in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Tomato plug plants, cv.
Ikram, were transplanted on 28 November 2003 and on 22 September 2004. Harvest data were collected and the effect of the soil treatments on fungal pathogens and nematodes evaluated.
In 2003-2004, the combinations of solarization + biofumigation produced higher early yields than biofumigation or solarization alone.
In 2004-2005, solarization alone and the combination of solarization + incorporation of 10 t ha^-1 of biomass were almost equally effective in increasing total yields over those of biofumigation alone.
In both years, the combination of solarization + incorporation of 20 t ha^-1 of biomass was the most effective in terms of total yields and it also decreased densities of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and Meloidogyne incognita.

International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse System Management: Greensys2007

G. Iapichino, L. Puleo, F. Vetrano, A. Sciortino

soil solarization, biofumigation, protected cultivation, soil diseases, tomato

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.801.192