Use of pepper crop residues for the control of root-knot nematodes

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2007-11, Vol.98 (15), p.2846-2851
• Main Authors: Piedra Buena, A., García-Álvarez, A., Díez-Rojo, M.A., Ros, C., Fernández, P., Lacasa, A., Bello, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; animal manures; Animals; Biofumigation; Biological and medical sciences; Capsicum annuum; crop residues; Crops, Agricultural; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Integrated crop management; Lycopersicon esculentum; Meloidogyne incognita; methyl bromide; Nematoda; nematode control; Organic amendments; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; peppers; Pest Control, Biological; Plant Roots - parasitology; root-knot nematodes; soil amendments; soil fumigation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Solarization; Use of agricultural and forest wastes. Biomass use, bioconversion
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.09.042

The biofumigant effect of pepper crop residues (PCR) for controlling Meloidogyne incognita populations was evaluated. Under laboratory conditions, 0, 5, 10 and 20 g PCR were applied to 500 g nematode infested soil, with four replicates per treatment. After 20 days at 25 °C, PCR reduced significantly M. incognita populations and root galling indices in susceptible tomato cv. Marmande, and increased K, N and organic C in soil. In the field, biofumigation with PCR combined with fresh animal manures (with and without plastic cover), methyl bromide, and a control were evaluated through root galling indices on a pepper crop. Each treatment, except for the control, had a grafted and non-grafted susceptible pepper sub-treatment, with three replicates. Root galling indices were lower, and yields higher, on grafted plants, biofumigation with PCR and plastic cover, with similar values as MB treatment, suggesting that biofumigation with PCR is an efficient non-chemical alternative to control M. incognita populations, especially when applied with plastic cover, nitrogen-rich organic matter and followed by grafting on resistant pepper.