scholarly journals Efficacy of Brassicaceous Seed Meal Formulations for the Control of Apple Replant Disease in Conventional and Organic Production Systems

Plant Disease ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 835-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Mazzola ◽  
Jack Brown

The efficacy of brassicaceous seed meals for the control of apple replant disease and the effects of such treatments on the causal pathogen complex were examined in conventional and organic production systems. When used in conjunction with a postplant application of mefenoxam, Brassica juncea and Sinapis alba seed meal soil amendments were as effective as preplant fumigation of soil with 1,3-dichloropropene-chloropicrin in terms of disease control, tree growth, and overall fruit yields of Gala/M26. Brassica napus seed meal amendment–mefenoxam soil drench also enhanced yields in a manner comparable to preplant fumigation, but vegetative growth was intermediate between the control and fumigation treatments. When applied alone, seed meal amendments failed to enhance tree growth or control disease to the level attained in response to soil fumigation. Postplant mefenoxam treatments revealed that failure of seed meal amendments to enhance tree growth and yield when used independently was due, at least in part, to increased apple root infection by Pythium spp. in B. napus and S. alba seed meal–amended soils, and by Phytophthora cambivora in B. juncea–amended soil. As mefenoxam treatment is not compatible with organic cropping systems, a seed meal blend was formulated which, based upon biological activity, was predicted to suppress known components of the target pathogen complex without need of additional treatment. Gala/M26 trees planted in soils treated with a 1:1 ratio of B. juncea:B. napus seed meal blend performed as well in terms of disease control and vegetative growth as trees cultivated in fumigated soil at an organic-certified orchard. Because these trials utilized the highly susceptible rootstock M26, the results demonstrate that these amendments are a viable alternative to soil fumigation for the control of apple replant disease in both conventional and organic systems.

Plant Disease ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 1207-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Mazzola ◽  
Kent Mullinix

Alternative management strategies to the use of preplant soil fumigation for the control of apple replant disease (ARD), including cover crops and strategies incorporating Brassica napus seed meal (rape seed meal [RSM]) amendment as the central component, were evaluated in the orchard. A 1-year wheat cover crop consisting of three short-term cropping periods with plant material removed at the end of each growth period and a 3-year B. napus green manure significantly enhanced vegetative growth and yield of Gala/M26. However, in each instance, the resulting disease control and growth response were inferior to that achieved through preplant methyl bromide soil fumigation. A 3-year bare fallow and 1- or 2-year B. napus green manure neither suppressed disease development nor enhanced tree growth. Preplant RSM amendment in conjunction with a postplant mefenoxam soil drench provided effective suppression of ARD, and the resulting tree growth and yield were comparable with that attained in response to 1,3- dichloropropene-chloropicrin fumigation in one orchard. At a second orchard, the growth response attained with the alternative treatment was inferior to preplant soil fumigation, which was associated with an apparent re-infestation of RSM-treated soils and tree roots by Pratylenchus spp. Application of RSM after wheat cropping or in conjunction with soil solarization provided an intermediate level of disease control and a corresponding reduction in growth and yield of apple relative to preplant fumigation at both sites.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (8) ◽  
pp. 1378-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Likun Wang ◽  
Mark Mazzola

An orchard field trial was conducted to assess the utility of reduced rate Brassicaceae seed meal (SM) amendment in concert with specific rootstock genotypes for effective control of apple replant disease. Three amendment rates of a 1:1 formulation of Brassica juncea-Sinapis alba SM were compared with preplant 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin soil fumigation for disease control efficacy. When applied at the highest rate (6.6 t ha−1) in the spring of planting, SM caused significant phytotoxicity and tree mortality, which was higher for Gala/M.26 than for Gala/G.41 but was not observed at SM application rates of 2.2 or 4.4 t ha−1. SM treatment resulted in growth and yield increases of Gala/M.26 and Gala/G.41 trees in a manner similar to the fumigation treatment and significantly greater than the no treatment control. Tree growth in soils treated with SM at 4.4 t ha−1 was similar or superior to that obtained with SM at 6.6 t ha−1 and superior to that attained at an SM application rate of 2.2 t ha−1. Soil fumigation and all SM treatments reduced Pratylenchus penetrans root infestation relative to the control treatment at the end of the initial growing season. Lesion nematode root densities in the fumigation treatment, but not SM treatments, rapidly recovered and were indistinguishable from the control at the end of the second growing season. Soil fumigation and all SM treatments significantly suppressed Pythium spp. root infection relative to the control. Trees grafted to rootstock G.41 possessed lower P. penetrans root densities relative to trees grafted to rootstock M.26. One year after planting, composition of microbial communities from SM-amended soils was distinct from those detected in control and fumigated soils, and the differences were amplified with increasing SM application rate. Specific fungal and bacterial phyla associated with suppression of plant pathogens were more abundant in SM-treated soil relative to the control, and they were similar in abundance in 4.4- and 6.6-t ha−1 SM treatments. Findings from this study demonstrated that use of the appropriate apple rootstock genotype will allow for effective replant disease control at SM application rates significantly less than that utilized previously (6.6 t ha−1).


2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Mazzola ◽  
Shashika S. Hewavitharana ◽  
Sarah L. Strauss

Brassicaceae seed meal (SM) formulations were compared with preplant 1,3-dichloropropene/chloropicrin (Telone-C17) soil fumigation for the ability to control apple replant disease and to suppress pathogen or parasite reinfestation of organic orchard soils at two sites in Washington State. Preplant soil fumigation and an SM formulation consisting of either Brassica juncea–Sinapis alba or B. juncea–B. napus each provided similar levels of disease control during the initial growing season. Although tree growth was similar in fumigated and SM-amended soil during the initial growing season, tree performance in terms of growth and yield was commonly superior in B. juncea–S. alba SM-amended soil relative to that in fumigated soil at the end of four growing seasons. SM-amended soils were resistant to reinfestation by Pratylenchus penetrans and Pythium spp. relative to fumigated soils and corresponded with enhanced tree performance. Phytotoxic symptoms were observed in response to SM amendment at one of two orchard sites, were dependent upon season of application, and occurred in an SM formulation-specific manner. After 2 years, the rhizosphere microbiome in fumigated soils had reverted to one that was indistinguishable from the no-treatment control. In contrast, rhizosphere soils from the SM treatment possessed unique bacterial and fungal profiles, including specific microbial elements previously associated with suppression of plant-pathogenic fungi, oomycetes, and nematodes. Overall diversity of the microbiome was reduced in the SM treatment rhizosphere, suggesting that enhanced “biodiversity” was not instrumental in achieving system resistance or pathogen suppression.


Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 1363-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nyoni ◽  
M. Mazzola ◽  
J. P. B. Wessels ◽  
A. McLeod

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a biological phenomenon that is encountered when old apple orchards are replanted, resulting in tree growth and yield reductions in young trees. Three ARD orchard trials were conducted, which showed that semiselective chemicals (fenamiphos, metalaxyl, imidacloprid, and phosphonates) used independently, two fumigant formulations (33.3% chloropicrin and 60.8% 1,3-dichloropropene [Pic33-1,3D] and 57.% chloropicrin and 38% 1,3 dichloropropene [Pic57-1,3D]), and semiselective chemicals combined with Pic33-1,3D or Pic57-1,3D all contributed to significant increases in tree growth (trunk diameter and shoot length) relative to the untreated control 3 to 4 years postplanting. The treatments did not differ significantly from each other in improving tree growth. Yield was more indicative of treatment efficacy, but this varied between the three orchards. The Pic33-1,3D fumigant in combination with semiselective chemistries was the most consistent in significantly increasing cumulative yields. The Pic57-1,3D treatment was superior in increasing yields relative to the Pic33-1,3D treatment, because (i) it significantly increased cumulative yields in comparison with the Pic33-1,3D treatment in one orchard and (ii) in another orchard, a significant increase in yield was obtained with Pic57-1,3D relative to the control treatment but not with the Pic33-1,3D treatment. The quantification of ARD causative agents 20 months postplant showed that Phytophthora cactorum contributed to disease development in all three orchards; significant negative correlations existed between the quantity of P. cactorum DNA detected in tree roots and tree growth and less often, yield. In two orchards, only some of the treatments that significantly reduced the quantity of P. cactorum DNA in tree roots relative to the control also resulted in a significant increase in tree growth. Some of the aforementioned trends were also evident for Pratylenchus spp. root densities in two of the orchards. There was a significant positive correlation between P. cactorum root DNA quantities and Pratylenchus spp. root densities. Pythium spp. and “Cylindrocarpon”-like DNA quantities detected in tree roots typically were not indicative of treatment efficacy. However, a significant positive correlation existed between these two pathogen groups, suggesting complex interactions not associated with pathogen quantities per se.


HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 841B-841
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Leinfelder ◽  
Ian A. Merwin ◽  
Gennaro Fazio ◽  
Terence Robinson*

We are testing control tactics for apple replant disease (ARD) complex, a worldwide problem for fruit growers that is attributed to various biotic and abiotic soil factors. In Nov. 2001, “Empire” apple trees on five rootstocks (M.26, M.7, G.16, CG.6210, and G.30) were planted into four preplant soil treatments—commercial compost at 492 kg/ha soil-incorporated and 492 kg·ha-1 surface-applied), soil fumigation with Telone C-17 (400 L·ha-1 of 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin injected at 30 cm depth five weeks prior to replanting), compost plus fumigant combination, and untreated controls—at an old orchard site in Ithaca, N.Y. Trees were replanted in rows perpendicular to, and either in or out of, previous orchard rows. Irrigation was applied as needed, and N-P-K fertilizer was applied in 2001 to all non-compost treatments to compensate for nutrients in the compost treatment. After two growing seasons, the rootstock factor has contributed most to tree-growth differences. CG.6210 rootstock supported greater growth in trunk diameter, central leader height, and lateral shoot growth (P < 0.05), regardless of preplant soil treatments and replant position. Trees on M.26 grew least over a two year period. Replant growth was greater in old grass lanes than in old tree rows, despite higher root-lesion nematode populations in previous grass lanes. Growth responses to preplant soil fumigation were negligible. Preplant compost did not increase tree growth during year one, but did increase lateral branch growth in year two. Results thus far suggest that replanting apple trees out of the old tree-row locations, and using ARD tolerant rootstocks such as CG.6210, may be more effective than soil fumigation for control of ARD in some old orchard sites.


HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrike Perner ◽  
Dietmar Schwarz ◽  
Eckhard George

Organic horticultural production systems often are characterized by the use of beneficial soil microorganisms because the application of soluble inorganic P or N fertilizers is not endorsed. Due to the limited supply of soluble nutrients in organic production systems, nutrient deficiency may limit plant growth and yield. The sole use of peat for pot-based cultures is also discouraged in organic production systems. Therefore, we have studied viable alternatives for highly soluble fertilizers and pure peat substrates using leek [Allium ampeloprasum L. var. Porrum] as a test plant. Plants were grown on peat-based substrates with different rates of compost additions, and with and without inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Inoculation with a commercial AM fungus inoculum resulted in colonization rates of up to 70% of total root length, whereas not inoculated plants remained free of root colonization. Mycorrhizal fungus colonization increased shoot Zn and K concentrations, but did not significantly affect shoot dry matter or shoot N and P concentrations. In contrast, compost addition increased plant growth, and also increased P and K concentrations in plants. We conclude that plants with high rates of mycorrhizal colonization can be obtained on peat-based substrates, but that under these conditions plants may not consistently benefit in growth from the mycorrhizal symbiosis. In contrast, additions of compost are a possible means to improve the substrate quality in organic horticultural production.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 763
Author(s):  
Likun Wang ◽  
Tracey S. Somera ◽  
Heidi Hargarten ◽  
Loren Honaas ◽  
Mark Mazzola

Brassicaceae seed meal (SM) soil amendment has been utilized as an effective strategy to control the biological complex of organisms, which includes oomycetes, fungi, and parasitic nematodes, that incites the phenomenon termed apple replant disease. Soil-borne disease control attained in response to Brassicaceae SM amendment is reliant on multiple chemical and biological attributes, including specific SM-generated modifications to the soil/rhizosphere microbiome. In this study, we conducted a comparative analyses of apple root gene expression as influenced by rootstock genotype combined with a seed meal (SM) soil amendment. Apple replant disease (ARD) susceptible (M.26) and tolerant (G.210) rootstocks cultivated in SM-amended soil exhibited differential gene expression relative to corresponding non-treated control (NTC) orchard soil. The temporal dynamics of gene expression indicated that the SM-amended soil system altered the trajectory of the root transcriptome in a genotype-specific manner. In both genotypes, the expression of genes related to plant defense and hormone signaling were altered in SM-amended soil, suggesting SM-responsive phytohormone regulation. Altered gene expression was temporally associated with changes in rhizosphere microbiome density and composition in the SM-treated soil. Gene expression analysis across the two rootstocks cultivated in the pathogen-infested NTC soil showed genotype-specific responses indicative of different defensive strategies. These results are consistent with previously described resistance mechanisms of ARD “tolerant” rootstock cultivars and also add to our understanding of the multiple mechanisms by which SM soil amendment and the resulting rhizosphere microbiome affect apple rootstock physiology. Future studies which assess transcriptomic and metagenomic data in parallel will be important for illuminating important connections between specific rhizosphere microbiota, gene-regulation, and plant health.


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