Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384959
Research Project: Integrated Strategies for Managing Pests and Nutrients in Vegetable and Ornamental Production Systems

Location: Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research

Title: Anaerobic soil disinfestation as an organic systems-based approach to suppress soilborne pathogens and pests and improve crop health: Part 1. Biological Method Suppresses Soilborne Pathogens and Pests and Improves Crop Health

Author
item MURAMOTO, JOJI - University Of California Santa Cruz
item DI GIOIA, FRANCESCO - Pennsylvania State University
item BUTLER, DAVID - University Of Tennessee
item LOUWS, FRANK - North Carolina State University
item Rosskopf, Erin
item SHENNAN, CAROL - University Of California Santa Cruz
item DAUGOVISH, OLEG - University Of California

Submitted to: Organic Farmers
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/9/2021
Publication Date: 5/9/2021
Citation: Muramoto, J., Di Gioia, F., Butler, D., Louws, F., Rosskopf, E.N., Shennan, C., Daugovish, O. 2021. Anaerobic soil disinfestation as an organic systems-based approach to suppress soilborne pathogens and pests and improve crop health: Part 1. Biological Method Suppresses Soilborne Pathogens and Pests and Improves Crop Health. Organic Farmers. 4(3):4-9.

Interpretive Summary: Yields produced from organic cropping systems are often constrained as a result of intense pest pressure with limited access to effective organically-accepted tools for management. Soilborne pathogens and weeds are significant problems in organic systems. Anaerobic soil disinfestation is an easy-to-apply method that provides effective soilborne pest control and can be adopted in organic production systems. Frequently asked questions about its mechanisms and methods of application are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Soilborne pathogens and pests (like certain insects and weeds) are a frequent threat in most organic cropping systems. Organic farmers manage soilborne pathogens and pests by applying organic amendments such as composts, growing certain cover crops, using crop rotation, and planting resistant varieties. Studies show organically managed fields tend to be more suppressive to soilborne pathogens than conventional counterparts. Yet, organic crops can experience mild to devastating damage by soilborne pathogens and pests, resulting in lower yields. Organic farmers continuously seek systems-based approaches to address soil problems, especially for high-value crops such as vegetables and fruits. This article discusses anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), an organically acceptable method within an integrated management system to reduce losses due to pathogens and other pests, using a “Q & A” format.