Effect of fresh chicken manure as a non-chemical soil fumigant on soil-borne pathogens, plant growth and strawberry fruit profitability

Abstract

We investigated the ability of fresh chicken manure (FCM) to control pathogens, to promote strawberry plant growth, strawberry yield and farmer income. Laboratory tests showed that FCM inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum, Pestalotiopsis spp., Phytophthora infestans and Rhizoctonia solani, and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). Although the CFU of Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. in FCM was higher than in the chloropicrin (CP) treatment, it was significantly lower than in the control. Additionally, FCM and CP both promoted the growth of strawberry plants in laboratory tests. In field tests and compared with control, FCM and CP significantly reduced Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. by 95.71% & 98.89% and 78.06% & 94.81%, respectively. FCM increased chlorophyll in strawberry plant leaves and promoted plant growth, compared with control and CP. Field-applied FCM also increased the content of NO3−-N, available P, K and organic matter, lowered soil pH, increased strawberry marketable yield (20.99%) and farmers' income (21.58%), compared with control. In addition, compared with control, FCM increased strawberry fruits soluble sugar and ascorbic acid content by 14.33% and 73.41%, respectively, and significantly decreased titratable acidity, which are known to contribute to improvement in fruit taste. In addition, FCM as a fumigant is readily available cheaper than chemical fumigants. Fresh chicken manure therefore has the potential to be an effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical fumigants. The use of FCM reduces both environmental pollution from animal waste and the use of chemical fumigants, thereby contributing to China's goal of not increasing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.