Influence of Soil Solarization at Moderate Temperatures on Potato Genotypes with Differing Resistance toVerticillium dahliae

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A 3-yr study involving solar heating of the soil (solarization) with polyethylene mulching demonstrated disease suppression and significant improvements in yield and quality of potato. This occurred at maximum air temperatures with a mean of 26-33.degree. C on a weekly basis and with elevations of soil temperatures that were believed to be marginal for inoculum reduction (mean of 26 C compared with 41.degree. C at 15 cm for nonmulched and mulched sites, respectively). Common scab (Streptomyces scabies) was suppressed, belowground stem lesions were reduced (associated with Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 and Colletotrichum atramentarium) and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) was effectively controlled. Total yields of cultivar Russet Burbank were increased by 46%, and the amount of U.S. #1 tubers was improved by 118%. A potato clone (A68113-4) with a high degree of resistance to V. dahliae also responded positively to the solarization treatment (18% increase of total yield and 25% increase of U.S. #1 potatoes). Lasting effects of suppression of V. dahliae were evident for 2 yr after treatment.