Control of Cabbage Yellows (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans) by Solar Heating of Field Soils Amended with Dry Cabbage Residues

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Abstract
Population counts of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans were greatly reduced and cabbage yellows was undetected in plots treated with solar heating of soils and cabbage amendments (1%, w/w). Dried cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) was mixed in soil and covered with a translucent polyethylene tarp (solar heating) for 4 or 6 wk. Both solar heating alone and cabbage amendents plus cover under shade were effective but not as effective as the combination of solar heating and cabbage amendments. In contrast, cabbage amendments, not covered, either under shade or direct sunlight were ineffective. It is suggested that a tarp is necessary not only to increase the temperature of the soil to critical levels under solar heating but also to trap fungitoxic gases emanating from the cabbage amendments.