INFLUENCE OF SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE ABILITY OF N-VIRO SOIL TO SUPPRESS MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA

Authors: Zasada, Inga; TENUTA, MARIO - UNIV MANITOBA, CANADA

Submitted to: Journal of Nematology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2004
Publication Date: 9/1/2004
Citation: Zasada, I.A., Tenuta, M. 2004. Influence of soil characteristics on the ability of n-viro soil to suppress Meloidogyne incognita. J. Nematology 36: 354.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: N-Viro Soil (NVS) is an alkaline stabilized municipal biosolid that has been used as a soil amendment with the potential to control plant-parasitic nematodes. One of the mechanisms of nematode suppression associated with NVS is its ability to raise soil pH. In preliminary studies we observed differential survival of Meloidogyne incognita populations between soils related to the soil-specific effect of NVS on soil pH. Identifying soil properties responsible for pH response and nematode control by NVS is essential to its use by growers. In greenhouse experiments we found the ability of NVS to raise soil pH varied between soil types; 3% w/w NVS increased soil pH to 10.1, 8.1 and 7.9 in a loamy sand, sandy loam and silt loam, respectively. Conversely, two silt loams differed in their pH-raising potential, with a range in pH from 7.9 to 9.2 after 3% w/w NVS amendment. The buffering capacity of a soil appeared to be the most important soil characteristic to consider when applying NVS for nematode suppression. NVS amendment may be more practical to control M. incognita in acidic and poorly buffered soils where pH can quickly increase and subsequently drop. Conversely, it may be difficult to raise soil pH to levels lethal to nematodes in well-buffered soils.