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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406591
Research Project: Agricultural Management for Long-Term Sustainability and Soil Health

Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research

Title: Reviewing the current understanding of replant syndrome in orchards from a soil microbiome perspective

Author
item NEWBERGER, DEREK - Colorado State University
item Manter, Daniel
item VIVANCO, JORGE - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2023
Publication Date: 8/4/2023
Citation: Newberger, D.R., Manter, D.K., Vivanco, J.M. 2023. Reviewing the current understanding of replant syndrome in orchards from a soil microbiome perspective. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 3(3): 856-866. https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol3030059.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol3030059

Interpretive Summary: Replant syndrome is a problem in fruit and nut orchards where similar tree species are repeated planted, resulting in poor vigor and lower productivity. Although the causes of replant syndrome have not been clearly defined, scientists suspect soil microorganisms combined with environmental factors and tree genetics. Some practices, such as disinfecting soils can alleviate replant syndrome symptoms by temporarily changing the soil microbiome, but the positive effect does not last. Scientists at Colorado State University and USDA’S Agricultural Research Service reviewed the science of replant syndrome to develop a theory for how the soil microbiome contributes to replant syndrome and to propose solutions to develop a beneficial soil microbiome that inhibits replant syndrome.

Technical Abstract: Replant syndrome (RS) of fruit and nut trees causes reduced tree vigor and crop productivity in orchard systems due to repeated plantings of closely related tree species. Although RS etiology has not been clearly defined, the causal agents are thought to be a complex of soil microorganisms combined with abiotic factors and tree genetics. Different forms of soil disinfestation alleviate RS symptoms by reducing the loads of the deleterious microbiome; however, the positive effect on crop growth is temporary. The goals of this opinion note are: 1) conceptualize the establishment of the syndrome from a microbiome perspective and 2) propose solutions to develop a beneficial microbiome to inhibit the onset of RS.