Abstract
The increasing adoption of high tunnel production systems, often associated with intensive cultivation practices and tomato monoculture, is leading to the emergence of several soilborne pests and pathogen issues in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. High tunnel tomato growers operating in this region have limited options to manage these biotic stressors, especially considering that consumers increasingly demand the adoption of chemical-free production practices. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is considered one of the few biological solutions available to manage a range of soilborne pests and pathogens. Implementing ASD in this region, characterized by a temperate climate, requires some adaptations compared to utilizing the method as developed in warmer regions. Two primary challenges encountered are: i) the short window of time available to apply the treatment since warmer months are reserved for growing the main crop, and ii) the local availability of effective and low-cost carbon sources. A series of studies was conducted to 1) test the application of ASD at relatively low temperatures either in the fall after an early high tunnel tomato crop or in the spring before a late high tunnel tomato planting, and 2) evaluate alternative carbon sources in terms of efficacy in developing anaerobic conditions, their impact on soil nutrient availability during and after the ASD treatment, and crop performance. Our research revealed that it is possible to effectively apply ASD even when soil temperatures are suboptimal; nevertheless, the efficacy of the treatment is strictly dependent upon the quality and rate of the carbon sources used. The carbon source has a significant impact on the nutrient availability post-ASD, which consequently affect crop performance and yield. Finally, the use of locally available carbon sources can decrease the cost of the ASD application and potentially facilitate its adoption at commercial scale.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 133-141 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Acta Horticulturae |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1410 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2024 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Horticulture