Control of Apple Replant Disease Using Mixed Cropping with Brassica juncea or Allium fistulosum

Abstract

Evidence indicates that Allium and Brassica species which release bioactive compounds are widely used in bio-fumigation to suppress soil-borne diseases. However, the active molecules of such plant residues are easily volatilized. In this study, we conducted mixed cropping of the apple tree with Allium fistulosum or Brassica juncea; the results demonstrated that such mixed cropping significantly improved the growth of the grafted apple seedlings and alleviated apple replant disease (ARD) for two years. The terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism profile results showed that the soil fungal community demonstrated distinct variation and diversity in terms of composition. A. fistulosum and B. juncea significantly improved the Margalef, Pielou, and Shannon indices. In addition, the analyses of clone libraries showed that A. fistulosum and B. juncea promoted the proliferation of antagonistic fungi such as Mortierella, Trichoderma, and Penicillium, and inhibited the proliferation of pathogens such as Fusarium. Fusarium. Proliferatum (F. proliferatum) was abundant in replanted soil and proved to be an aggressive pathogen of apple seedlings. Our findings thus indicate that apple tree mixed cropping with A. fistulosum and B. juncea was an effective long-term method for modifying the resident fungal community and alleviating ARD.

MIXED PLANTING WITH RHIZOMATOUS PLANTS INTERFERES WITH Ganoderma DISEASE IN OIL PALM

“…The indirect mechanism through beneficial soil microbial community can also enhance growth under mixed planting and needs further exploration. In the pathosystem of apple replant disease caused by numerous soil-borne fungi such as Cylindrocarpon, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, and Pythium, enhanced growth of apple seedlings under mixed cropping with Allium fistulosum, or Brassica juncea had been mediated through modifying the resident fungal community (Zhao et al, 2022). Zeng et al (2020) demonstrated that intercropping turmeric and ginger with patchouli could improve the contents of the active ingredient in the main crop (patchouli) by enhancing the beneficial soil microbial community and modifying soil enzyme activity, soil pH, and soil exchangeable Ca.…”

Tree Root-Associated Microbial Communities Depend on Various Floor Management Systems in an Intensive Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) Orchard

“…OTUs within the Ascomycota were largely identified as members of Sordariomycetes, and this proportion was higher in the organic mulches versus inorganic. Similarly, Zhao et al [27]…”

“…OTUs within the Ascomycota were largely identified as members of Sordariomycetes , and this proportion was higher in the organic mulches versus inorganic. Similarly, Zhao et al [ 27 ] found an increase in the relative abundance of Sordariomycetes in soil treated with Allium fistulosum to suppress soil-borne diseases and alleviate ARD in apple orchards. Camacho-Sanchez et al [ 28 ] identified Sordariomycetes among the top groups in soils under organic soil management in comparison to conventional soil treatment.…”