Soil solarization in tropical agriculture for pre- and post-plant applications.
Stapleton J. J.
Author Affiliation: Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, University of California, 733 County Center III, Modesto, CA 95355, USA.
FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper : 220-228
Abstract : In Colima, Mexico, max. soil temp. beneath transparent, polyethylene tarps were increased 6-13°C over non-treated control soil. Soilborne fungal and bacterial population densities were reduced 62-100% in pre-plant experiments and weed emergence was reduced 97-100%. Although damage to sesame crops due to Macrophomina phaseolina was not significantly reduced, seed yield was sometimes increased. Post-plant application of transparent, polyethylene film around young Mexican lime or mango trees did not benefit growth and a similar treatment of pawpaws and bananas resulted in stunting or death. Mulching of moist soil with black polyethylene film was as effective as solarization with transparent film at controlling diseases and weeds. Both treatments allowed as much as a 10-fold reduction in dry season irrigation. This paper was presented at the First International Conference on soil solarization held in Amman, Jordan on 19-25 Feb., 1990.