Optimizing the application of anaerobic soil disinfestation to high tunnel specialty crop production systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region

Authors: DI GIOIA, FRANCESCO - Pennsylvania State University; BALAGUER, RAYMOND - University Of Florida; FRITZNER, PIERRE - Pennsylvania State University; MORRISON, BEN - Pennsylvania State University; ONO-RAPHEL, JOE - Pennsylvania State University; PASSERINI, LUCA - Pennsylvania State University; VECCHIA, LUCA - Pennsylvania State University; DEMCHAK, KATHLEEN - Pennsylvania State University; ROMAN, CATERINA - Pennsylvania State University; SCHMIDT, CLAUDIA - Pennsylvania State University; GUGINO, BETH - Pennsylvania State University; ELKNER, TIMOTHY - Pennsylvania State University; Hong, Jason; DINI-ANDREOTE, FRANCISCO - Pennsylvania State University; Rosskopf, Erin

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: High tunnels are increasingly used in order to extend the growing season and protect plants from biotic and abiotic stress. Utilizing high tunnels can result in an increase in soilborne pests as a result of intensive farming and a lack of crop rotation and diversity. These production areas are difficult to fumigate with chemical soil fumigants and are used increasingly for organic production in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) is considered one of the few biological solutions available to manage a broad range of soilborne pests. Implementing ASD in a temperate climate requires modification from practices used in the Southeastern US due to lower soil temperatures. Research conducted using cover crops and locally available agricultural waste products for implementing ASD revealed that it is possible to effectively apply the method even when soil temperatures are suboptimal; nevertheless, the efficacy of the treatment is strictly dependent upon the quality and rate of the carbon sources used. Moreover, the carbon source used has a significant impact on the nutrient availability post-ASD, which in turn can affect crop performance and yield. Finally, the use of locally available carbon sources can decrease the cost of the ASD application and potentially facilitate its adoption at commercial scale.

Technical Abstract: The increasing adoption of high tunnel production systems often associated with intensive cultivation practices and tomato monoculture is leading to the emergence of several soilborne pests and pathogen issues in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. High tunnel tomato growers operating in this region have very limited options to manage soilborne pests and pathogens, especially considering that consumers increasingly demand the adoption of chemical-free production practices. Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) is considered one of the few biological solutions available to manage a range of soilborne pests and pathogens. Implementing ASD in this region, characterized by a temperate climate, requires some adaptations compared to utilizing the method as developed in warmer regions. Two primary challenges encountered are: i) the short window of time available to apply the treatment since warmer months are reserved for growing the main crop, and ii) the availability locally of effective and low-cost carbon sources. A series of studies was conducted to 1) test the application of ASD at relatively low temperatures either in the fall after an early high tunnel tomato crop or in the spring before a late high tunnel tomato planting, and 2) evaluate alternative carbon sources available locally in terms of efficacy in developing anaerobic conditions, impact on soil nutrient availability during and after the ASD treatment, and crop performance. Our research revealed that it is possible to effectively apply ASD even when soil temperatures are suboptimal; nevertheless, the efficacy of the treatment is strictly dependent upon the quality and rate of the carbon sources used. Moreover, the carbon source used has a significant impact on the nutrient availability post-ASD, which in turn can affect crop performance and yield. Finally, the use of locally available carbon sources can decrease the cost of the ASD application and potentially facilitate its adoption at commercial scale.