Solar Heating by Polyethylene Mulching for the Control of Diseases Caused by Soil-Borne Pathogens

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Abstract
Irrigated soils in the hot Bet-Shean and Jordan Valley regions were mulched with transparent 0.03-mm polyethylene sheets during the months of July or Aug., and soil temperatures were increased. Different types of inocula of Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were buried in mulched and nonmulched soils at various depths, recovered after certain time intervals, and their populations were estimated. After 2 wk under polyethylene sheets, V. dahliae was eliminated at depths of 0-25 cm. The population of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici at the depth of 5 cm was reduced by 94-100%; at 15 cm, 68-100%; and at 25 cm, 54-63%. Maximal temperatures in the mulched soils were 49-52.degree. C and 42.degree. C at depths of 5 and 15 cm, respectively. At 50.degree. C, soil fungistasis to Fusarium was partially nullified. Two field experiments with eggplant [Solonum melongena] and one with tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum] showed that mulching with polyethylene sheets prior to planting reduced Verticillium wilt by 25-95%, controlled weeds, improved plant growth and stand and increased yield. This method of control using plastic material is less costly than fumigation, is nonhazardous and leaves no residues. Biological and thermal control may take place during soil mulching.

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