Cabbage Residues Research Articles

Enhanced catalytic efficiency and ionic liquid tolerance of entrapped cellulase for single-step mixed cabbage residue saccharification

This study explores the enhancement of catalytic efficiency and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][OAc]) tolerance in the single-step saccharification of mixed cabbage residue (MCR) biomass using entrapped cellulase. Entrapping cellulase in calcium alginate hydrogel beads achieved an entrapment efficiency of 75.90 ± 1.83 %. In hydrolysis systems with 2 % and 10 % [Emim][OAc], the entrapped cellulase demonstrated 5.3 % and 6.5 % higher activity than free cellulase, respectively. After five cycles, the entrapped cellulase retained 93 % and 87 % of its initial activity in 0 % and 2 % [Emim][OAc] hydrolysis systems, respectively. Remarkably, cumulative glucose yields with entrapped cellulase were 3.51 and 3.10 times greater than those with free cellulase in 0 % and 2 % [Emim][OAc] hydrolysis systems, respectively. These results highlight the superior performance of entrapped cellulase in maintaining enzyme activity and improving glucose yields. Notably, while [Emim][OAc] is effective in separate pretreatment stages, its addition is unnecessary for the single-step saccharification of MCR biomass. This study underscores the promising potential of entrapped cellulase as a catalyst in enhancing the efficiency of biomass saccharification processes.

Carry‐Over Effect of Leguminous Winter Cover Crops and Living Mulches on Winter Wheat as a Second Main Crop Following White Cabbage

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe direct effect of winter cover crops (WCCs) or living mulches (LMs) on a first vegetable crop has already been investigated. However, little is known about the effect on growth and yield of a second cash crop in the rotation.AimsThe aim of the study was to assess the carry‐over effect of legumes grown as WCC or LM on winter wheat as a second crop after cabbage, measured in yield and nitrogen release.MethodsTwo field trials were carried out in Germany between 2019 and 2022. In the WCC trial, rye, rye with vetch, vetch, pea, and faba bean were used as WCC and compared to bare soil. The WCC biomass was incorporated before cabbage planting in late spring. For the LM trial, perennial ryegrass or white clover was used as LM during cabbage cultivation and compared to bare soil. The LM biomass was incorporated with the cabbage residues and compared to an early incorporation of LM biomass before cabbage planting. In both trials, winter wheat was sown in the fall as the second following main crop in the rotation.ResultsLeguminous WCC species had significant higher wheat yield compared to non‐legumes but not compared to the control without WCC. Late incorporation of LM biomass resulted in increased wheat yield at 10.1–10.4 Mg ha−1 compared to an early incorporation before cabbage planting at 9.35 Mg ha−1. Net N releases show that for WCC, the main effect of legume nitrogen fixation is achieved in the first crop cabbage immediately after incorporation of WCC biomass. In the case of leguminous LM, the effects of legume nitrogen fixation are of much higher relevance in the second main crop, winter wheat, due to LM biomass incorporation after cabbage cultivation.ConclusionTherefore, we suggest to consider not only the direct but also the carry‐over effects of leguminous cover cropping in vegetable crop rotations.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate pretreatment for maximizing reducing sugar recovery from mixed cabbage residue.

Vegetable waste, including mixed cabbage residue (MCR), is considered a promising raw material for bioenergy production because of its high lignocellulosic component. In this study, the pretreatment of MCR by ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][OAc]) was optimized based on response surface methodology. The optimal condition for MCR pretreatment was determined at 55.8°C, with a reaction of 2.65h and liquid-solid ratio of 4.60:1 v/w. Hydrolysis of pretreated MCR from optimal pretreatment conditions generated a maximum glucose yield of 156.65 ± 7.66mg/g MCR. Untreated and pretreated MCRs were successfully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The pretreated MCR exhibited increased clear pores and incomplete structure. Moreover, compared with untreated biomass, decreased lignin, decreased hemicellulose, increased surface area, and cellulose crystallinity were observed. Thus, [Emim][OAc] pretreatment is a promising alternative approach for higher glucose production from MCR.

A new and efficient method for producing food ingredients high in l-ornithine using unused parts of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata).

A surplus of unused parts of vegetables (e.g., white cabbage [cabbage] cores and outer leaves) is generated daily by factories of fresh-cut vegetables. These parts are difficult to effectively utilize and are often discarded as biodegradable industrial waste. This study aimed to develop an efficient method for producing l-ornithine from cabbage residues. First, we added protease (Sumizyme FP) to the cores and outer leaves of sterile cabbages. After 8 days, the amount of l-arginine released was approximately fivefold the amount in the initial content. As l-arginine is a precursor of l-ornithine, the addition of protease combined with Pediococcus pentosaceus produced l-ornithine. However, the rapid lactic acid fermentation suppressed the metabolism of l-arginine to l-ornithine, which we overcame by adjusting the pH by adding eggshell. The anaerobic fermentation of the cores and outer leaves of sterile cabbages with 5% eggshell for 8 days produced 184 ± 2μmol of l-ornithine/100 g cabbage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This level of l-ornithine production is higher than that observed in freshwater clams (81-116 μmol/100 g), which are considered to be high in l-ornithine. This method can be applied to the production of inexpensive and safe l-ornithine-containing food materials derived from vegetables. Furthermore, ingestions of vegetables fermented by this method would provide a variety of health benefits of l-ornithine. The widespread adoption of this method will not only reduce the amount of waste generated daily from fresh-cut vegetable factories, but will also enable upcycling as a higher value-added food material.

The Effects of Leguminous Living Mulch Intercropping and Its Growth Management on Organic Cabbage Yield and Biological Nitrogen Fixation

In organic horticulture, living mulches (LM) are used for weed suppression and erosion prevention. In addition, leguminous LM can contribute to higher nitrogen (N) import into vegetable cultivation systems via biological N2 fixation (BNF). In order to investigate the effect of LM systems, a two- as well as three-year field experiment was conducted between 2019 and 2021 at two locations in Southwest Germany. White cabbage was intercropped with two different clover varieties (Trifolium repens cv. ‘Rivendel’, with regular growth and T.repens cv. ‘Pipolina’, a micro clover) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. ‘Premium’). Bare soil (with spontaneous vegetation) without intercropping was the control treatment. The second factor was the growth management of the LM: incorporation by rototilling before planting the cabbage, intercropping with the cabbage and no LM growth management, and intercropping with mulching of the LM during the cabbage growing. The results show that rototilling LM before planting the cabbage did not lead to higher weight of cabbage residues or differences in total head yield among the treatments for growth management. Intercropping without further LM growth management did not result in a reduced total head yield of cabbage compared to mulching. The micro clover ‘Pipolina’ showed no reduced competition with cabbage compared to the regular-growing white clover ‘Rivendel’. Therefore, we conclude that leguminous LM systems, regardless of growth management, can achieve high yields with sufficient irrigation and additional fertilization while increasing the inputs of N via BNF into the entire cropping system.

Hydrothermal conversion of Chinese cabbage residue for sustainable agriculture: Influence of process parameters on hydrochar and hydrolysate

The demands on novel and sustainable techniques for vegetable waste (VW) valorization continues to increase during the past few decades due to the growing waste production under the flourishing vegetable industries. In this study, Chinese cabbage residues were hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at 180, 200, 220 and 240 °C for 2 to 6 h to explore the impacts of process parameters on the characteristics of hydrochars and hydrolysates and their feasibility in sustainable agriculture. Results indicated that hydrothermal temperature had a greater impact on cabbage residue hydrolysis than the residence time. With the rising reaction severity, hydrochars became more alkaline with higher amount of ash and carbon (C), while the pH and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and NH4+-N in the hydrolysate were gradually reduced. The thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG) indicated that organic constitutions in the feedstock went through incomplete decomposition. Although the recalcitrance index (R50) steadily increased through HTC (0.37–0.46), hydrochars were unstable and would not applicable for carbon sequestration. Furthermore, hydrochars and hydrolysate would be optimal media for plants seedling and growth for the abundant nutrients and dissolved organic compounds but reduced phytotoxicity. In conclusion, these results showed that HTC is highly applicable for vegetable waste management for sustainable agriculture.

Volatile and medium chain fatty acid production from cabbage residues using mixed culture fermentations and in-situ product removal by electrodialysis

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) and medium chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) are needed in several branches of the chemical industry such as in pharmaceutics, food, and feed, making a biorefinery inspired production that starts from low-grade biomass an interesting alternative to conventional petrochemical processes. In this study, butyric, valeric and caproic acid were produced with a defined co-culture of Megasphaera cerevisiae and Pediococcus pentosaceus by utilizing food waste residue, hydrolyzed cabbage, as the sole carbon source. The developed process was scaled-up to 25 L and coupled with a modified electrodialysis for in-situ product removal to limit the concentrations of accumulating VFAs and MCCAs in the fermentation broth. This process resulted in titers of 10.98 g L-1, 6.19 g L-1 and 0.23 g L-1 of butyric, valeric acid and of caproic acid, respectively, showing that MCCAs and VFAs of growing demand can be produced via valorization of organic residues from waste streams.

Interaction Effect of Soilless Media and Organic Amendments for Eco-Friendly Root-Knot Nematode Management in Brinjal and Tomato Nursery

Brinjal and tomato are the most important transplanted vegetable crops of the Solanaceae family. The successful cultivation of these crops is vital for meeting the nutritional dietary requirement of India’s population and earning foreign exchange for the country by exporting vegetables to foreign countries. However, there are several abiotic and biotic impediments in the cultivation of these crops. Among biotic impediments , plant-parasitic nematodes have become one of the critical factor adversely affecting the cultivation of these vegetables. In general, Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematode) is the most common, widespread and economically damaging plant parasitic nematode species in tomato and brinjal crop. In addition to the damage caused by root – knot nematode, it stimulates the entry of soil-borne pathogens leading to development of the disease complex. The present study was undertaken to study the interaction effect of soil & soilless growing media viz. cocopeat and vermicompost along with organic amendments i.e., Trichoderma, AM fungus, and Cabbage residue incorporated individually as well as in different combinations for eco-friendly root-knot nematode management in brinjal and tomato nursery. The results indicated that treatment C-8 (Cocopeat + Trichoderma + AM fungus + Cabbage residues) recorded the superior germination count, germination percentage, days to 50% germination, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, root weight, shoot weight and root: shoot ratio. It is pertinent to mention that the soilless media, along with various organic amendments, were found to be superior for all the root and shoot attributes as compared to the conventional soil media for growing healthy nursery of tomato and brinjal in root knot nematode infested geographies. Our findings provide an effective and sustainable method of growing healthy plant nursery in nematode infested regions.

Effects of different forms of vegetable waste on biogas and methane production performances in a batch anaerobic digestion reactor

ABSTRACT Vegetable waste has a high biodegradation ability and moisture content and causes soil and underground water pollution. High moisture vegetable waste could be separated into juice and residual material for efficient disposal and energy recovery by anaerobic digestion (AD). In this study, two kinds of vegetables (Chinese cabbage and mustard) wastes in three different forms (juice, residue, and their mixture) were used to determine their AD process performances and methane production potential. The results showed that the biogas production rate of the Chinese cabbage residue (CR) was the highest, reaching 800 ± 62 mL/g VS. The biogas production rate of mustard juice (MJ) was the lowest, as low as 498 ± 60 mL/g VS. The results also suggested that the biogas and methane production potential in the residue groups of both vegetable wastes treatments was higher than that in the juice groups. Furthermore, the results also showed that the average biogas and methane production rates of the residue treatments of both Chinese cabbage and mustard wastes were much higher than those of their mixtures. The concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) in the juice treatments groups were much higher than those in the residue treatments groups, resulting in the lowest biogas and methane production potential being in the juice treatments groups. With the modified Gompertz equation fitting analysis, the results also confirmed that the highest biogas and methane production ability in the CR treatment groups among all the six treatments, with a correlation coefficient (R2) above 0.992. The results of this study provide new insights into the efficient disposal and energy recovery of vegetable wastes with AD for further industrial biogas engineering applications.

Effect of low C/N crop residue input on N2O, NO, and CH4 fluxes from Andosol and Fluvisol fields

Crop residues are produced from agriculture in large amounts globally. Crop residues are known to be a source of nitrous oxide (N2O); however, contrasting results have been reported. Furthermore, the effect of crop residues on nitric oxide (NO) and methane (CH4) fluxes has not been well studied. We investigated N2O, NO, and CH4 fluxes after low C/N crop residue (cabbages and potatoes) inputs to lysimeter fields for two years using with automated flux monitoring system. Lysimeters were filled with two contrasting soil types, Andosol (total C: 33.1 g kg−1; clay: 18%) and Fluvisol (17.7 g kg−1; 36%). Nitrogen application rates were 250 kg N ha−1 of synthetic fertilizer and 272 kg N ha−1 of cow manure compost for cabbage, and 120 kg N ha−1 of synthetic fertilizer and 136 kg N ha−1 of cow manure compost for potato, respectively. Large N2O peaks were observed after crop residues were left on the surface of the soil for 1 to 2 weeks in summer, but not in winter. The annual N2O emission factors (EFs) for cabbage residues were 3.02% and 5.37% for Andosol and Fluvisol, respectively. Those for potatoes were 7.51% and 5.10% for Andosol and Fluvisol, respectively. The EFs were much higher than the mean EFs of synthetic fertilizers from Japan's agricultural fields (0.62%). Moreover, the EFs were much higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default N2O EFs for synthetic fertilizers and crop residues (1%). The annual NO EFs for potatoes were 1.35% and 2.44% for Andosol and Fluvisol, respectively, while no emission was observed after cabbage residue input. Crop residues did not affect CH4 uptake by soil. Our results suggest that low C/N crop residue input to soils can create a hotspot of N2O emission, when temperature and water conditions are not limiting factors for microbial activity.

Field evaluation of Streptomyces rubrogriseus HDZ-9-47 for biocontrol of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato

Streptomyces rubrogriseus HDZ-9-47, isolated from eggs of Meloidogyne spp., was evaluated as a potential biocontrol agent of Meloidogyne incognita under in vitro and protective field. Microscopic observations showed that HDZ-9-47 parasitized eggs of M. incognita within 7 days. In vitro, the culture filtrate of HDZ-9-47 caused 97.0% mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2s) of M. incognita and inhibited more than 50% egg hatching. In the field, compared with the control, the root-knot index and J2s density in the treatment of drench the broth contained 1012 HDZ-9-47 spores were respectively reduced by 51.1 and 80.7% at 90 days post transplantation, which were better than that in other application doses and methods. In addition, reduction rates of root-knot index and J2s density of the treatment of combined application of HDZ-9-47 with biofumigation was 87.1 and 91.0%, respectively, better than either of HDZ-9-47 or biofumigation used alone or fosthiazate treatment. And tomato yield also increased by 16.1%. Together, our results suggest that HDZ-9-47 could be an effective biocontrol agent of M. incognita, and that application of HDZ-9-47 combined with cabbage residue biofumigation was a promising and sustainable option for M. incognita control.

Strategy for dual production of bioethanol and d-psicose as value-added products from cruciferous vegetable residue

In this study, fermentable sugars and d-fructose were produced from cruciferous vegetable residue by enzymatic method without the use of either chemical or mechanical mechanisms. Production of d-psicose was effectively converted from hydrolyzed d-fructose in cabbage residue by d-psicose-3 epimerase; the presence of the borate increased the conversion rate by about two fold, and ethanol production yield was 85.7% of the theoretical yield. Both products, bioethanol and d-psicose, were successfully separated and purified by pervaporation and cation exchange chromatography, and their recovery yields were approximately 87% and 86.2%, respectively.

0963 Effects of feeding dried cabbage residues on performance, ileal and total tract digestibility, and selected microbial population in broiler chickens

0963 Effects of feeding dried cabbage residues on performance, ileal and total tract digestibility, and selected microbial population in broiler chickens

The effect of co‐composted cabbage and ground phosphate rock on the early growth and P uptake of oilseed rape and perennial ryegrass

AbstractPhosphorus (P) availability to crops in organic systems can be a major issue, with the use of readily available forms often restricted. One product that can be used in organically managed systems, that is also relatively easily accessible to growers, is phosphate rock, although its solubility and therefore crop availability is often poor. One possible approach to improve this situation is co‐composting phosphate rock with selected organic waste materials. Various ratios of phosphate rock and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) residues were co‐composted and the products tested at different rates of application. The effects were assessed over 12 weeks using oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as bioassay crops in a pot experiment. At harvest, estimates of P derived from cabbage and phosphate rock for the lowest of two rates of compost were ≈ 2 and 10 mg P pot–1 for oilseed rape, compared to 5 and 2 mg P pot–1 for perennial ryegrass, respectively. Roots tended to have higher P concentrations than shoots. The crops showed differences in their abilities to access various P sources, with oilseed rape effectively taking P from phosphate rock, whereas perennial ryegrass was more effective at accessing cabbage‐derived P (the main substrate in the compost). Oilseed rape was able to take up 20% of the total P applied as phosphate rock, whereas perennial ryegrass took up less than 5% of the total P applied from this material. Both pre‐ and post‐application solubilisation/transformation mechanisms were involved in supplying plant‐available P. Quantifying the relative contribution from individual P sources remains problematic even within this relatively simple system.

Combining residues of herb crops with soil heating for control of soilborne pathogens in a controlled laboratory system

Plant residues from herb crops were examined as organic amendments for the control of soilborne pathogens with and without soil heating for a short exposure of 2 weeks. Residues of herbaceous plants of oregano, sage, rosemary, tarragon, bay, wild rocket, spearmint and thyme were incubated for 14 days in a controlled laboratory system which emulates soil solarization. Green cabbage residues were included for comparison. The tested pathogens included Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne javanica. Heating soil amended with herb residues, particularly tarragon, spearmint and wild rocket, resulted in high mortality of the tested pathogens. Volatile compounds which were generated in heated soils amended with wild rocket or tarragon showed significant toxicity to M. phaseolina and R. solani. Only oregano, thyme, bay, wild rocket and tarragon amendments were effective in pathogen control without heating. Incorporation of leaf and stem residues of thyme, sage, tarragon, rosemary or wild rocket in soil and exposure to solarization under field conditions resulted in 95–100% mortality of the tested pathogen. This study demonstrates that the residues from herb crop production can serve as organic amendments for the control of soilborne pathogens, especially when combined with heating or solarization.

Nitrogen mineralization from cabbage crop residue and its uptake efficiency by rye grass

Crop residues are an important component of N cycling in the agro-ecosystem. In this study, a loam soil was amended with cabbage residues and the N mineralization from soil organic matter and residues, as well as N uptake by Italian rye grass, were investigated. Four mineral fertilizer-residue combination treatments and two application times were tested in micro-plots. For uncropped micro-plots, application of residue resulted in higher soil mineral N content (43 mg N kg−1, 63 days post application) versus 30.5 mg N kg−1 for an unamended soil. Both bulked dry matter production and N uptake by the rye grass decreased in the order full mineral fertilizer > half mineral fertilizer + half residue > full residue applied 3 weeks before sowing > full residue applied at sowing, but the differences were more pronounced in the N uptake. Shoot N recovery from the applied residue (27.5–31.4%) was much smaller than that from the full fertilizer (70.2%), but was still considerable. Apparent net N mineralization from soil organic matter was significantly depressed in the treatments where mineral fertilizer was added. Cropping also reduced apparent net N mineralization, but this effect was reduced when residues were applied 3 weeks before sowing. Results showed that crop residues play an important role in crop production, in terms of obtaining comparable dry matter production to that of full mineral fertilizer application. Moreover, nitrogen supplied as residue is less liable for loss due to leaching during the growing season. The efficiency of crop uptake to residue-derived nitrogen could be increased by earlier application time.

Solarization And Amendment With Cabbage Residues Induced Supperssiveness In Soil Infested By <i>Fusarium</i> Faba Bean Root Rot

Soil showing supperssiveness, due to solarization and/or amendment, to Fusarium root rot of faba bean was studied under field conditions. While solarization alone reduced the disease severity from 75 % diseased plant (conducive soil) to 15 %, amendment alone also decreased the disease severity from 75 % to40 %. The level and reproducibility of disease suppressive properties of solarization might be increased by the amendment of soil by cabbage residues. The results of this study revealed that the combination of solarization with cabbage residues could be reducing the disease severity to only 7 % diseased plants. The results also showed that both solarization and amendment had been changing and enhancement soil microbial population and improvement certain physical and chemical properties of the experimental soil. New Egyptian Journal of Microbiology Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 233-246

N2O emission and CH4 uptake in arable fields managed under conventional and reduced tillage cropping systems in northern Japan

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and methane (CH4) uptake were measured in an experimental long‐term tillage field (Andosol) in Hokkaido, northern Japan, to assess their contributions to net global warming, associated with arable crop production. From May 2001 to August 2002, the field was cultivated with winter wheat, adzuki bean, sugar beet, potato, and cabbage, where the total N applied was 110, 40, 150, 60, and 220 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Under conventional tillage (CT) cropping systems, basal N fertilization and plowing for residue incorporation had little effect on N2O fluxes, but vigorous N2O emission was observed when rotary harrowing was used for incorporating N‐rich cabbage residues into soil in summer. Also, high N2O emissions occurred when there was heavy rainfall after a large amount of N fertilizer had been applied to sugar beet and also when there was thawing of frozen soil and snow in the winter wheat treatment. Despite the differing N2O flux patterns among the crops, the annual N2O emissions from each crop were positively correlated with the total N applied as fertilizer. Under CT systems, across all five crops, the mean N2O emission factor (the percent ratio of N2O‐N emitted out of total N applied as fertilizer) was 0.36%. Under reduced tillage (RT) cropping systems, where crop residues were left on the ground over winter, large quantities of N2O were emitted from adzuki bean and sugar beet residues when the frozen soil and snow thawed. Therefore, total N2O emissions from adzuki bean and sugar beet cultivated under RT systems were much greater than under CT systems. The rates of CH4 uptake by arable soils were less sensitive to crop type, field management practices, and fertilizer application rates, but the rates were strongly influenced by long‐term tillage management. For fallow, winter wheat, adzuki bean, and sugar beet treatments, the CH4 uptake rates in the CT soils (1.36 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1), which had a 20‐year history of intensive plowing, were lower than those in the RT soils (2.40 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1). Thus RT production systems improved CH4 uptake by arable soils, although they adversely affected N2O emissions for adzuki bean and sugar beet production.

Thermal Inactivation of Phytophthora nicotianae

ABSTRACT Phytophthora nicotianae was added to pasteurized soil at the rate of 500 laboratory-produced chlamydospores per gram of soil and exposed to temperatures ranging from 35 to 53 degrees C for 20 days. The time required to reduce soil populations to residual levels (0.2 propagule per gram of soil or less) decreased with increasing temperatures. Addition of cabbage residue to the soil reduced the time required to inactivate chlamydospores. Temperature regimes were established to simulate daily temperature changes observed in the field, with a high temperature of 47 degrees C for 3 h/day, and were good estimators of the efficacy of soil solarization for the control of P. nicotianae in soil. Cabbage amendment reduced the time required to inactivate chlamydospores of P. nicotianae and its effect was more pronounced at lower temperature regimes.

Adaptation of Soil Solarization to the Integrated Management of Soilborne Pests of Tomato Under Humid Conditions

ABSTRACT Soil solarization was shown to be cost effective, compatible with other pest management tactics, readily integrated into standard production systems, and a valid alternative to preplant fumigation with methyl bromide under the tested conditions. Solarization using clear, photoselective, or gas-impermeable plastic was evaluated in combination with metham sodium, 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin, methyl bromide + chloropicrin, pebulate, or cabbage residue. Strip solarization, applied to 20-cm-high, 0.9-m-wide beds, was conducted to achieve compatibility with standard production practices and resulted in soil temperatures 2 to 4 degrees C above those temperatures resulting when using conventional flatbed solarization. Soil temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C higher at the edges of the raised beds, eliminating any border effects associated with solarization. Following a 40- to 55-day solarization period, the plastic was painted white and used as a production mulch for a subsequent tomato crop. The incidence of Southern blight and the density of Paratrichodorus minor and Criconemella spp. were lower (P < 0.05) in solarized plots. No differences (P < 0.05) in the incidence of Fusarium wilt and the density of nutsedge and Helicotylenchus spp. were observed between plots receiving solarization and plots fumigated with a mixture of methyl bromide + chloropicrin. The severity of root galling was lower (P < 0.05) when soil solarization was combined with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin (16.2 + 3.4 g/m(2)) and a gas-impermeable film. The incidence of bacterial wilt was not affected by soil treatments. Marketable yields in plots using various combinations of soil solarization and other tactics were similar (P < 0.05) to yields obtained in plots fumigated with methyl bromide + chloropicrin. The results were validated in several large scale field experiments conducted by commercial growers.