Evaluation of Agricultural Byproducts and Cover Crops as Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Carbon Sources for Managing a Soilborne Disease Complex in High Tunnel Tomatoes

Abstract

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a viable option for disease management in tomato production and reduces damage due to a soilborne disease complex consisting of Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, Colletotrichum coccodes, Verticillium dahliae, and Meloidogyne spp. There are plentiful options for ASD carbon sources using byproducts of Midwestern United States agriculture or cover crops, yet these carbon sources have not been evaluated for use in Midwestern settings. Low (10.1 Mg/ha) and high (20.2 Mg/ha) rates of corn gluten meal, distillers dried grains, soybean meal, wheat bran, and dry sweet whey were evaluated as ASD carbon sources in growth chamber and greenhouse bioassays. Cover crops including buckwheat, cowpea, crimson clover, mustard, oilseed radish, sorghum-sudangrass, white clover, and winter rye were evaluated in similar bioassays with one amendment rate (20.2 Mg/ha). Reducing conditions developed in soils regardless of carbon source or rate. Use of high rates of corn gluten meal, distillers dried grains, soybean meal, and wheat bran led to the lowest levels of root rot severity compared to non-treated controls. The higher rate of any byproduct carbon source was always more effective than the lower rate in reducing root rot severity. Use of both rates of soybean meal or corn gluten meal and the high rate of distillers dried grains or dry sweet whey led to significant increases in dry root and shoot biomass compared to controls. For cover crops, ASD with crimson clover, sorghum-sudangrass, white clover, or winter rye amendments reduced root rot severity relative to the aerobic control, but not relative to the anaerobic control. Use of cover crops did not significantly impact plant biomass. A subset of three ASD carbon sources [distillers dried grains, soybean meal, and wheat middlings (midds), all 20.2 Mg/ha] were evaluated in five on-farm ASD trials in high tunnels. Soil temperatures were low during the application period, limiting treatment efficacy. Reducing conditions developed in all soils during ASD treatment, and a moderate but significant reduction in root rot severity was observed following ASD with the soybean meal or wheat midds compared to ASD with distillers dried grains. Tomato yield was not significantly affected by ASD treatment.

Integrated Pathogen Management in Stevia Using Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Combined with Different Fungicide Programs in USA, Mexico, and Paraguay

“…Therefore, the development of anaerobic conditions is beneficial to generate a fumigant effect against pathogens and weeds [58][59][60][61][62]. Previous research applied corn gluten meal for ASD, significantly reducing the soilborne disease intensity on tomatoes grown in treated plots [63]. However, the same authors reported a phytotoxic effect of corn gluten meal on the germination and growth of tomatoes [63].…”

“…Previous research applied corn gluten meal for ASD, significantly reducing the soilborne disease intensity on tomatoes grown in treated plots [63]. However, the same authors reported a phytotoxic effect of corn gluten meal on the germination and growth of tomatoes [63]. Corn gluten meal has been reported as an herbicide or a cause of phytotoxicity in plants [64].…”

Quantifying the effects of anaerobic soil disinfestation and other biological soil management strategies on nitrous oxide emissions from raised bed plasticulture tomato production

“…Given these concerns, research is needed to develop sustainable alternatives. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is garnering attention as a biological alternative to chemical soil fumigation (CSF) (Butler et al., 2012; Goud et al., 2004; Testen et al., 2021). Anaerobic soil disinfestation methods incorporate readily bioavailable carbon (C) sources (relative to microbes), such as rice bran, molasses (M), or crop residues into the soil, followed by irrigation of the soil to saturation and covering with totally impermeable film (TIF) for about 3 wk (Butler et al., 2014; Di Gioia et al., 2017; Paudel et al., 2020; Rosskopf et al., 2015,2020).…”

Sunflower Seed Husk as Promising By-Product for Soil Biodisinfestation Treatments and Fertility Improvement in Protected Lettuce Crop

“…This last effect is mainly subject to the characteristics of the organic amendment. The concentration of C, N and their ratio in the final mixture seems to play an important role in treatment efficacy (Shrestha et al, 2021a;Testen et al, 2021). Besides, the type of C-source used might also condition the processes given during biodisinfestations.…”

“…Therefore, in areas with limited solar radiation, like in our case, the selection of proper amendments is a challenge, since many organic by-products and vegetal materials can be used. Among them, some agro-industrial by-products have exhibited positive results (Lacasa et al, 2021;Testen et al, 2021) and might be a worthwhile alternative because it is costeffective and promotes circular economy.…”