Archivio Journal of Plant Pathology

Abstract:

In three experimental trials carried out in north Italy the effectiveness of methyl bromide (MB) and metham sodium (MS) applied alone or, at half dosages, in combination with a 2 week period of soil solarization against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides under greenhouse conditions were evaluated on crops such as basil, bean and lettuce. MB, at 30 g m-2 under virtually impermeable film confirmed its efficacy; covering the soil after the application of half dosage of MS with low density polyethylene films improved the efficacy of the treatment, while reducing some of the negative features. The combination of soil solarization with any of the two tested fumigants at reduced dosage resulted in an effective control of the tested pathogens, permitting a reduction in the duration of solarization and application of the fumigants at half dosage. Such strategy proved effective also on subsequent crops.