Abstract
Soil borne pathogens result in serious losses in yield of crops grown in the United States (US) and various parts of the world. One of the most effective chemicals used to control these pathogens was methyl bromide (CH3Br, MeBr), a pre-plant fumigant with a broad spectrum of activity. Sodium azide has been proposed in combination with solarization as a viable alternative to replace MeBr due to environmental concerns with respect to ozone depletion in the stratosphere and as a possible carcinogen. However, the possible impacts of sodium azide as a soil pollutant and its effect on soil biological processes have not been fully studied. In this study the effect of sodium azide used alone and in combination with solarization and mulching on selected soil enzyme activities (phosphomonoesterases, arylsulfatase and phosphodiesterase) were assessed. Responses of arylsulfatase and phosphodiesterase to solarization and mulching and azide treatment were found to be affected in the same way, suggesting a similar mode of action. Soil pH in control soils was significantly increased by azide application; however, in mulched soils, pH was decreased. The significant decrease in soil pH in mulched soils may be very important in explaining the increase in the acid phosphatase activity observed in mulched soils. Overall, solarization and sodium azide treatment significantly reduced both fungi and bacterial populations but the responses among the various treatments varied significantly.
Highlights
Soil borne pathogens result in serious yield losses of nuts, fruits, and vegetables grown in the United States (US) and worldwide
Soil borne pathogens result in serious losses in yield of crops grown in the United States (US) and various parts of the world
As a result of the risks associated with methyl bromide (CH3Br, MeBr) in depleting the ozone layer, 160 nations signed a treaty in 1993, known as Montreal protocol, under the sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Summary
Soil borne pathogens result in serious yield losses of nuts, fruits, and vegetables grown in the US and worldwide. One of the most effective chemicals used to control these pathogens was methyl bromide (CH3Br, MeBr), a pre-plant fumigant with a broad spectrum of activity. MeBr and Chloropicrin (CP) were applied to soils to control persistent weeds, nematodes, and soil bornepathogens and were reliable and effective tools for controlling these soil-borne-pathogens. They were commonly used in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) cultivation, and other high value fruits and vegetable crops. As a result of the risks associated with methyl bromide (CH3Br, MeBr) in depleting the ozone layer, 160 nations signed a treaty in 1993, known as Montreal protocol, under the sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Sodium azide as an amendment has been proposed in combination with solarization to ameliorate this problem
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