The incorporation of big amounts of fresh organic matter stimulates the overall activity of soil microorganisms, which has a reducing effect on the survival of the soilborne pathogens.
Biological methods
Green manures
Compost
The incorporation of mature compost enriches the soil with specific microorganisms (mainly Trichoderma species) which have a control effect on certain soilborne pathogens (mainly Phytophthora species).
Microbial antagonists
The soil, especially the rhizosphere (the soil surrounding the roots) can be enriched with microorganisms, that have an antagonistic effect against certain soilborne pathogens, by the addition of specific commercial preparations.
Biological-chemical methods
Biofumigation
Plant species (e.g. mustard species), contain specific metabolites which are transformed during the degradation of the plants into toxic, volatile molecules. Once incorporated into the soil these molecules kill pathogens, parasites and weed seeds in the surrounding soil.
Mustard seedmeal fertilizers
After the oil extraction, the seedmeal of mustard species contains glucosinolates, which are transformed into toxic, volatile isothiocyanates after the addition of water. Therefore, mustard seed-meal containing fertilizers liberate after their incorporation in the soil not only nutrients (mainly N) but also kill pathogens, parasites and weed seeds in the soil.
Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD)
The soil is covered with an airtight plastic film after the incorporation of big amounts of easily degradable organic matter. The decomposition of the organic matter by the soil microorganisms creates anaerobic conditions and the toxic substances (organic acids) are formed. Consequently, pathogens and parasites are killed.
Physical methods
Solarization
The soil is covered with a transparent plastic film. The solar radiation heats the soil below whereas the plastic film retains the generated heat. Thereby, the soil is heated at a degree that a part of the pathogens, parasites and weed seeds are killed.
Microwaves, hot air
Durch Mikrowellen oder heisse Luft (800°C) wird der Boden so stark erhitzt, dass die bodenbürtigen Aggressoren abgetötet werden.
Standard methods
Soil sterilization with steam
The soil is heated with steam to the point that pathogens, parasites and weed seeds in the soil are killed.
Chemical soil disinfestation
The incorporation of chemical-synthetic substances in the soil before the planting or sowing of the crop causes the extermination of most pathogens, parasites and weed seeds in the soil.
Resistant cultivars and rootstocks
Nach dem Pressen enthalten Senfpresskuchen Glukosinolate, welche bei Zugabe von Wasser in giftige Isothiocyanate umgewandelt werden. Auf Senfpresskuchen basierende Dünger setzen somit nach Einarbeiten in den Boden nicht nur Nährstoffe (hauptsächlich N) frei, sondern bewirken auch ein Abtöten von Krankheitserregern, Schädlingen und Unkrautsamen.
For a plant species, cultivars with resistance to certain soilborne pathogens and / or parasites exist. If no such resistances exist, the plant is grafted on a rootstock that is resistant to certain soilborne pathogens and / or parasites (only possible for some plant species)
Crop rotation
A sequence of plants species, being susceptible to different soilborne pathogens and / or parasites, are cultivated on the same plot.
Soilless cultivation
The contaminated soil is replaced through a mineral or organic substrate.
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