Effect of biofumigation with brassica pellets combined with Brassicaceae cover crops and plastic cover on the survival and infectivity of inoculum of Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan.
BACKGROUND
Biofumigation with defatted seed meal of Brassicaceae in the form of pellets has several advantages over the incorporation of fresh Brassicaceae crops to control soil-borne diseases. Two field experiments were established to evaluate the effect of biofumigation with brassica pellets on the survival and infectivity of Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan inoculum introduced before treatments. In the spring experiment the incorporation of additional Brassicaceae cover crop (Brassica nigra L. and Sinapis alba L.) was tested, and in the summer experiment two brassica pellet doses were applied.


RESULTS
Biofumigation with brassica pellets in spring (3000 kg ha(-1) with and without plastic) or in summer (3000 kg ha(-1) with or without plastic; 6000 kg ha(-1) without plastic) had no significant effect on the survival of P. nicotianae, regardless of the incorporation of additional Brassicaceae cover crop in spring. Reduction in infectivity in spring was related to the application of plastic, especially when combined with brassica pellets and Brassicaceae crop. In summer, soil temperature was the main factor in the inactivation of the inoculum, especially when plastic was applied, and no additional inactivation was achieved with brassica pellets.


CONCLUSIONS
In spring and summer, biofumigation with brassica pellets had no effect on the survival of P. nicotianae. Application of plastic in spring may reduce infectivity. Soil temperature is the main factor in the inactivation of inoculum in summer, especially when plastic is applied. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
CICYTEX, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca La Orden-Valdesequera, Guadajira, Badajoz, Spain.
M Carmen
MC
Rodríguez-Molina
CICYTEX, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca La Orden-Valdesequera, Guadajira, Badajoz, Spain.
Paula
P
Serrano-Pérez
CICYTEX, Instituto de Investigaciones Agrarias Finca La Orden-Valdesequera, Guadajira, Badajoz, Spain.
Carolina
C
Palo
D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D000069601:Crop Protection / Q000379:methods*; D005651:Fumigation / Q000379:methods*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010969:Plastics; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil; D013696:Temperature
D010969:Plastics; D012987:Soil
Brassica carinata; chlamydospores; pepper; seed meal