Biofumigation for the Control of Vegetables Soilborne Pathogens in Some non-Temperate Climate Countries

Soil-borne pathogens (SBPs) significantly reduce the yield and quality of crops worldwide. In the past, their control was principally accomplished by using soil fumigants such as methyl bromide (MB). However, this fumigant which is a powerful ozone-depleting substance, has completely been phased out under the Montreal Protocol (MP). New chemicals and non-chemical alternatives to MB, including biofumigation, have been actively researched, developed, and commercially adopted worldwide. This review seeks to provide the status of biofumigation for the control of SBPs in some non-temperate climate zones referred to in this paper as Article 5 countries or developing countries according to the Montreal Protocol (MP) classification. The review will first define “the non-temperate climate zone,” list the countries belonging to this zone, focus on the role and importance of the MP in phasing-out MB, and in searching and commercially adopting alternatives including biofumigation to this fumigant. It also describes the biofumigation techniques reported and used, reports its efficacy/inefficacy to manage SBPs in some non-climate temperate countries, insists on the place it must have in an IPM program to increase its efficacy, and finally, lists the collaboration and the research needed to further develop and commercially adopt this technology in non-temperate climate countries.

From Old-Generation to Next-Generation Nematicides

The phaseout of methyl bromide and the ban on, or withdrawal of, other toxic soil fumigants and non-fumigant nematicides belonging to the organophosphate and carbamate groups are leading to changes in nematode-control strategies. Sustainable nematode-control methods are available and preferred, but not always effective enough, especially for cash crops in intensive agriculture. A few non-fumigant nematicides, which have a relatively high control efficacy with a low toxicity to non-target organisms, have been released to the market or are in the process of being registered for use. Fluensulfone, fluopyram, and fluazaindolizine are the three main and most promising next-generation nematicides. In this paper, several aspects of these non-fumigant nematicides are reviewed, along with a brief history and problems of old-generation nematicides.

Impacts of Manures and Manure-Based Composts on Root Lesion Nematodes and Verticillium dahliae in Michigan Potatoes

The interaction of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans and the fungal plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae causes potato early die (PED) complex, which induces premature vine senescence and dramatically reduces yield in potatoes. Management of PED is often achieved through the use of soil fumigants and nematicides, but their adverse effects on soil, human and environmental health, and strict regulations worldwide require alternative control tactics. In this study, we investigated the effects of multiple composts and manures on nematode mortality and PED. In lab assays, root lesion nematodes were exposed to poultry manure, layer ash blend, Dairy Doo, or wood ash for 7 days at rates of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 20% by volume of product and assessed for nematode survivorship. Additionally, these products were evaluated for volatile fatty acid content to determine if fatty acid content affects nematode control. In a field trial, the composts and manures were evaluated at two different rates, high (11.2 t/ha) or low (2.8 t/ha), and populations of P. penetrans and V. dahliae were quantified. Our results show that a 1% application rate of poultry manure and layer ash blend provided the greatest nematode control in lab assays with 24.5 and 38.2% reduction, respectively, with greater control at higher rates. In the field, plots treated with poultry manure had significantly higher potato yields and significantly fewer nematodes than control plots. Taken together, our results suggest that poultry manure could be a promising amendment to control PED.

Integration of Steam with Allyl-isothiocyanate for Soil Disinfestation

Steam has long been used to disinfest greenhouse soils. However, there is increasing interest in expanding the use of steam for in-field soil disinfestation as an alternative to chemical fumigants. Previous studies demonstrated that allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) reduced viability of weed seeds and plant pathogen propagules, but AITC has a low vapor pressure and is relatively immobile in soil. Heat has been used in the past to enhance the mobility of soil fumigants such as methyl bromide (i.e., “hot gassing”). The effect of steam heat on the mobility of AITC is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential synergistic effect of steam plus ATIC against weed seeds and a plant pathogen. AITC alone did not reduce the viability of the four weed species and the number of Verticillium dahliae microsclerotia. The steam + AITC treatment reduced the viability of V. dahliae at 12.5 and 18 cm distances by 82% and 88%, respectively, and knotweed and nettle seeds at 70 cm from injection point by 75% and 86%, respectively, from the center of microplots compared with steam alone. The results suggest that AITC and steam have a complementary effect on soilborne pests because steam increases the mobility of AITC.