Anaerobic soil disinfestation:A chemical-independent approach to pre-plant control of plant pathogens

Due to increasing regulations and restrictions, there is an urgent need to develop effective alternatives to chemical-dependent fumigation control of soilborne pests and pathogens. Anaerobic soil disinfestation （ASD） is one such alternative showing great promise for use in the control of soilborne pathogens and pests. This method involves the application of a carbon source, irrigation to field capacity, and covering the soil with a plastic tarp. While the mechanisms of ASD are not completely understood, they appear to be a combination of changes in the soil microbial community composition, production of volatile organic compounds, and the generation of lethal anaerobic conditions. The variety of materials and options for ASD application, including carbon sources, soil temperature, and plastic tarp type, influence the efficacy of pathogen sup- pression and disease control. Currently, both dry （e.g., rice bran） and liquid （e.g., ethanol） carbon sources are commonly used, but with different results depending on environmental conditions. While solarization is not an essential component of ASD, it can enhance efficacy. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate biological changes occurring in the soil during ASD will facilitate our ability to increase ASD efficacy while enhancing its commercial viability.

Impact of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Treatment on the Properties of Tomato Continuous Cropping Soil

To investigate the impact of anaerobic soil disinfestation(ASD)treatment with different processing duration on tomato continuous cropping soil,a total of eight treatments were designed,which included two treatment temperatures of 10℃ and 30℃,and four treatment times of 3,4,5 and 7 weeks(w).The results showed that whether the temperature was 10℃ or 30℃,the pH values,TOC and available K contents in the soil treated by the ASD method were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the EC values and NO_(3)^(-)contents in soils treated by ASD were significantly reduced compared with the untreated group(P<0.05).The Fusarium oxysporum population in soils treated by ASD decreased with the extension of the treatment time.When the treatment temperature was 30℃,the effect on the removal of the NO_(3)^(-)that had accumulated in soils treated by ASD was significantly better than the treatment temperature of 10℃(P<0.05).When soil was treated by ASD for more than 5 w at 30℃,the NH4+content in soil was significantly increased(P<0.05)compared with the untreated soil.In conclusion,NO_(3)^(-)accumulation in soils could not be completely eliminated with treatment by ASD,even when the treatment time at 10℃ was prolonged.Whether the treatment temperature was 10℃ or 30℃,the F.oxysporum population in soils treated by ASD decreased significantly with the extension of the treatment time to more than 5 w compared with treatment only for only 3 w.