Successional effects of cover cropping and deep tillage on suppression of plant‐parasitic nematodes and soilborne fungal pathogens

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cover crops can suppress soilborne nematodes and fungal pathogens by serving as a poor host to pathogens and producing allelopathic compounds. Yet, cultural practices can influence their effectiveness. Cover crop and weedy fallow rotations and their interactions with deep tillage were evaluated from 2019 to 2021 in a three‐season vegetable cropping system (spring tomato, fall squash, and winter cabbage) for their suppressive effects on soilborne diseases. Experimental plots were arranged in a split‐plot 2 × 4 factorial design in randomized complete blocks. Whole‐plot tillage treatments were shallow‐tilled or deep‐tilled. Subplots had two factors of crop rotations: rotation type (cover crop [spring or fall sunn hemp or winter rye] or weedy fallow) and rotation season. RESULTS Independent of tillage practice, sunn hemp and weedy fallow reduced population density and root galling severity of root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) for the first subsequent vegetable compared to the all‐vegetable rotation (P < 0.05) but had little effect on fungal pathogens. Fall sunn hemp had higher plant biomass and reduced gall severity for the second subsequent vegetable. Spring and fall sunn hemp improved vegetable yields. Winter rye only reduced ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp.) population density in the first subsequent vegetable. Deep tillage reduced incidence of fungal pathogens of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and population density of stubby‐root nematode (Nanidorus minor). CONCLUSION Sunn hemp is effective in suppressing M. incognita, whereas deep tillage can be used to suppress R. solani, S. sclerotiorum, and N. minor in vegetable production systems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Plant diversity as a sustainable strategy for mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato cultivation

“…In the case of cover crops, plants from the Brassicaceae family offer a biocidal effect due to the release of specific biologically active compounds during maceration and incorporation processes (Kruger et al, 2015). Also, Fabaceae plants, such as C. juncea, are employed as cover crops (Marquez and Hajihassani, 2023), which favor the abundance and richness of soil communities, which results effectively in suppressing M. incognita (Scaglione et al, 2023). In the intercropping system, species like Allium tuberosum Rottl, Ricinus communis L., Chrysanthemum coronarium L., and Bidens pilosa L. release exudates that inhibit egg hatching or act as nematicides (Dong et al, 2014(Dong et al, , 2018Huang et al, 2016;Kihika-Opanda et al, 2022).…”

Mapping of the gene in tomato conferring resistance to root-knot nematodes at high soil temperature

“…Management methods for RKNs include crop rotation with resistant varieties or less-susceptible crops (Talavera et al, 2009;Abd-Elgawad, 2022), cultural and tillage practices (Marquez and Hajihassani, 2023), microbial biocontrol agents (Hashem and Abo-Elyousr, 2011) and nematicides (Rawal, 2020;Phani et al, 2021). Using resistant varieties is one of the most common and successful control methods today due to their lack of residue, ease of application and environmental friendliness (Devran and Sögüt, 2010).…”