ISHS Acta Horticulturae 579: II Balkan Symposium on Vegetables and Potatoes
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF SOIL-BORNE PATHOGENS OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO IN CYPRUS |
| Authors: | N. Ioannou, M. Ioannou |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, soil solarization, soil amendments, biological control, Fusarium wilt, root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.579.75 |
| Abstract:
Management of soil-borne pathogens of greenhouse tomato in Cyprus is presently based on soil fumigation with methyl bromide. This compound, however, will be phased out by 2005, and soil solarization appears to be the most appropriate alternative. The present study aimed to improve the effectiveness of solarization, especially against nematodes, and at the same time to reduce the length of the treatment (normally 6-8 wk), in order to make it more compatible with intensive production schedules employed by growers. Two split plot experiments were carried out in a heavily infested greenhouse, in which solarization treatments of 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6 wk were combined with different soil amendments (organic matter, chitin, calcium cyanamide, ammonium sulfate, sulfur), biological control agents, natural plant products and conventional nematicides. Solarization treatments from 2 to 6 wk reduced Fusarium populations by 70-99%, Orobanche sp. by 75-100% and weeds by 10-95%. Reduction in nematode populations, however, did not exceed 70%, even with the longest treatment (6 wk). All solarization treatments resulted in significant yield increases, ranging from 30 to 60% over that of the untreated check. Among soil amendments/treatments, the conventional nematicide Nemacur, the natural plant product Nemaclean and combined soil amendment with organic matter, chitin and Acidam (sulfur plus Thiobacillus sp.) reduced significantly nematode and/or Fusarium populations and increased yield by up to 35%. It can be concluded that short-term solarization treatments (2-4 wk), combined with nematicides or certain soil amendments could provide a sustainable alternative to methyl bromide fumigation for the greenhouse tomato industry of Cyprus. | |
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