Effect of soil solarization on soil microflora with special reference to Fusarium solani in mango nurseries.
Sharma S. K., Verma V. S., Anita Sharma, Meenu Gupta
Author Affiliation: Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) 173 230, India.
Plant Disease Research (Ludhiana) 19 : 144-150
Abstract : The effect of soil solarization using transparent polyethylene with thickness of 25, 50 and 100 µm on soil microflora, particularly F. solani in mango nurseries was investigated, under irrigated and unirrigated conditions. Soil solarization increased soil temperature by more than 12.7, 9.3 and 4.1°C at 10, 20 and 30 cm soil depths, respectively. F. solani isolates were eliminated up to 30 cm soil depth under solarization treatment. The lethal effect of solarization was higher under irrigated than unirrigated conditions. Actinomycete population increased after solarization, but the total microbial population comprising fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes decreased. The reduction in microbial population was highest at 10 cm depth, followed by 20 and 30 cm depths. The available N and K, and organic carbon in the soil, as well as the electrical conductivity and pH increased after solarization, but P content decreased. Soil solarization also eliminated weed populations.