Effect Of Biofumigation Research Articles

In vitro inhibition of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mycelial growth and reduction of sclerotial viability by the volatile bioactive compounds of Brassicaceae crops.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an important pathogen of a wide range of crops, with current control mostly relying on the use of fungicides. This study assessed the effect of biofumigation on in vitro inhibition of mycelial growth and reduction of sclerotial viability of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as an attempt to seek an alternative management strategy. The effect of different biofumigant crop types to inhibit mycelial growth of ten S. sclerotiorum isolates was investigated, with Brassica juncea 'Caliente 199' being the most effective biofumigant crop. The efficacy of 'Caliente 199' to inhibit mycelial growth and reduce sclerotial viability was influenced by different crop factors. Plant tissue of 'Caliente 199' harvested at 50% or 100% flowering and adjusted to 80% (w/w) moisture resulted in greater mycelial inhibition and reduction in the sclerotial viability compared with the vegetative tissue with the same plant moisture. Mycelial inhibition and reduction of sclerotial viability were affected by tissue quantity. Whole plant tissue and shoots only resulted in a similar inhibition of mycelial growth, but whole plant tissue resulted in a greater reduction of sclerotial viability. The S. sclerotiorum isolates differed in sensitivity to the volatile bioactive compounds released by the biofumigant plant tissue. The volatile bioactive compounds released by 'Caliente 199' resulted in effective mycelial inhibition but did not kill sclerotia completely.

The Effect of Biofumigation on the Microbiome Composition in Replanted Soil in a Fruit Tree Nursery

The imbalance of the soil microbiome is a primary indicator of ARD (apple replant disease). Biofumigation is a treatment that enables the restoration of microbiome balance. This study involved an analysis of the taxonomic and functional diversity of bacterial communities in replanted soil (ARD), in replanted soils with forecrops of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba), and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera), and in agricultural soil. The biofumigation treatment with phytosanitary plants changed the structure and abundance of the replanted soil microbiome in a fruit tree nursery. The count of operational taxonomic units (OTU) of the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Patescibacteria, Chloroflexi, and Verrucomicrobiota phyla increased, whereas the count of the Firmicutes, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota phyla decreased. Biofumigation caused an increase in the content of some dominant bacterial genera, such as Flavobacterium, Massila, Sphingomonas, Arenimonas, and Devosia, in the replanted soil. Their presence in the soil may improve the growth of plants, induce their systemic resistance, and thus improve the production properties of soil with ARD. The research results led to the conclusion that the use of phytosanitary plants in nursery production can be an effective alternative to the chemical fumigation of soil.

Brassica carinata Seed Meal as Soil Amendment and Potential Biofumigant

Brassicaceae products have been extensively studied for their biofumigant activity; despite this, few investigate their effect on soil proprieties. This paper aims to describe the effect on soil fertility by adding the seed meal of Brassica carinata at three different doses corresponding to field dose (3 tons/ha), 10 and 100 fold this dose in organic soil. The organic carbon balance was evaluated by analysing the oxidisable, humified and mineralised carbon fractions. Microbial activity was measured by enzymes linked to the carbon, phosphorous and sulphur cycles—β-glucosidase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase, respectively. The amount corresponding to 30 t/ha was the best solution for the mineralised carbon and humic carbon ratio. In contrast, there was a substantial increase in the organic substance’s mineralisation level at the maximum dose, not offset by a relative rise in humification. No repression was observed in the metabolic activity of the microorganisms, their abundance or the main enzymatic activities and, in the conditions tested, a release of only a volatile isothiocyanate occurred, limiting the biofumigant effect. Therefore, these combined factors allow us to assert that the amendment with this type of material at the intermediate dose could positively affect the phosphorus cycle, the soil structure, and fertility.

Effect of Biofumigation with selected Brassicaceae plants on the count and diversity of soil-borne fungi in Arish city, Egypt,

Effect of Biofumigation with selected Brassicaceae plants on the count and diversity of soil-borne fungi in Arish city, Egypt,

Biofumigation effects of brassicaceous cover crops on soil health in cucurbit agroecosystems in Hawaii, USA

Brassicaceous cover crops, such as brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and oil radish (Raphanus sativus), are commonly used for biofumigation, a process that utilizes isothiocyanates (ITCs) generated from the hydrolysis of glucosinolates in Brassica plants to suppress soil-borne pathogens, including plant-parasitic nematodes. Given the biocidal nature of ITCs, limited information is available on the non-target effects of biofumigation on free-living nematodes, which are reliable soil health indicators. The objectives of this study were to determine if biofumigation methods effective against plant-parasitic nematodes would have non-target effects on free-living nematodes, and to examine the relationships between biofumigation indicators and nematode communities. Three field trials were conducted to examine whether different biofumigation methods would affect free-living nematodes. Tissue maceration of biofumigant crops, soil tillage, and black plastic mulching were adopted singly or in combination to generate different regimes of biofumigation efficacy. Termination of biofumigant crops by tissue maceration and soil tillage followed by black plastic mulching for one week was most effective in suppressing plant-parasitic nematodes and enhancing bacterial decomposition. However, these effects did not last through the subsequent zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) crop cycle. When comparing changes in soil glucose and sulfate concentrations as indicators of biofumigation efficacy, we found that soil sulfate was a better indicator of biofumigation efficacy than soil glucose, owing to the more stable state of sulfate in soil. Canonical correspondence analysis between soil sulfate as a biofumigation indicator and nematode soil health indicators revealed strong positive correlations of sulfate level with the abundances of bacterivorous and carnivorous nematodes, enrichment index, brown mustard biomass, and soil temperature. However, biofumigation did not affect the nematode community structure. This study demonstrated that biofumigation can suppress plant-parasitic nematodes without compromising soil health.

Effect of Biofumigation on Population Densities of Pratylenchus spp. and Verticillium spp. and Potato Yield in Eastern Canada

Biofumigation has been proposed as an alternative to soil fumigation to manage soil-borne diseases including potato early dying disease complex (PED). This study examined the potential of using brown mustard (Mustard juncea) biofumigation to manage PED under rain-fed potato production in New Brunswick, Canada in two trials between 2017 and 2020 in comparison with chloropicrin fumigation and a conventional barley rotation. Biofumigation increased yield in one trial, but not in a second trial where the potato crop experienced severe drought, whereas chloropicrin fumigation increased yield in both trials. Biofumigation was effective in suppressing root-lesion nematode (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) counts in both trials, but was ineffective in suppressing V. dahliae population density. Chloropicrin fumigation was effective in suppressing RLN counts and V. dahliae population density only in the hill where injected, but the effect was short-lived as the population density of V. dahliae in the hill increased to the level of the control in one potato growing season. Biofumigation may be an alternative to chloropicrin fumigation in managing PED, particularly in fields with high RLN population but relatively low Verticillium population density. However, neither biofumigation nor fumigation used alone may be sustainable in the short-term potato rotations commonly used in New Brunswick, and additional beneficial practices are required to sustain productivity in the long-term.

Effects of Biofumigation of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.) Against Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) on Quality of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.)

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is a perennial summer flower grown by smallholders in Kenya for export as it requires low technical and financial input. However, its production and export volumes in Kenya - have been declining drastically. This declining trend has been attributed to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) infestation, leading to rejection of cut flowers. This study evaluated the effect of biofumigation of Cleome gynandra against root-knot nematodes. Two experiments were conducted at Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments were: accessions of C. gynandra; ‘Egerton’ volunteer; ‘Taastrup’; ‘PS’ and ‘IP8’applied at 6 kg/m-2 compared with fumigant (97% dazomet), Brassica napus, solarization and untreated control. Data was collected on nematode infestation and quality of tuberose in terms of stem length, number of leaves and stem diameter. Biofumigation with different C. gynandra accessions was as effective as the fumigant and Brassica napus in reducing nematode population by 34%, gall numbers by 83% and galling index by 96% when compared with the control. Biofumigation with different C. gynandra accessions enhanced the spike length by 32%, marketable spikes by 80%, and reduced non-marketable spikes by 95% when compared with the control. C. gynandra can be used as a biofumigant for management of root knot nematodes and improvement of yield and quality of tuberose. Keywords: Tuberose; Nematode management; Biofumigantion; Flower Quality

Soil covering and biofumigant effect of Armoracia rusticana against spore dispersal and viability of Downy mildew inoculum in viticultural systems-BIOVINE

Soil covering and biofumigant effect of Armoracia rusticana against spore dispersal and viability of <i>Downy mildew</i> inoculum in viticultural systems-BIOVINE

Influence of chemical fumigation and biofumigation on soil nitrogen cycling processes and nitrifier and denitrifier abundance

Chemical fumigation and biofumigation are used to reduce soil-borne diseases in agricultural production systems; however, other essential soil processes such as the soil nitrogen (N) cycle may also be affected. This study compared the effects of chemical fumigation and biofumigation on soil net N mineralization, nitrification, denitrification, and soil nitrifier and denitrifier abundance. Six treatments were compared using soil microcosms over a 160-day incubation period: fumigation with chloropicrin; fumigation with metam sodium used alone (MS) or combined with barley plant residues (MSBR); biofumigation with mustard residues; addition of non-biofumigant barley residues; and an untreated control. Biofumigation did not inhibit soil nitrification, whereas chemical fumigation with MS (with or without barley) and chloropicrin inhibited nitrification for 16 and 64 days, respectively. Biofumigation, barley residues, and MSBR increased soil respiration, N2O emission, and denitrification rates. However, biofumigation had lower denitrification and N2O cumulative emissions and rates compared to barley residues, suggesting that biofumigation may reduce N2O production pathways. All chemical fumigation treatments significantly decreased nitrifier gene abundance compared to biofumigation; however, only chloropicrin decreased the abundance of denitrifying genes. After 160 days, 22% of the added plant residue dry matter remained in the MSBR-treated soil, which was ∼2-fold greater than the barley-treated soil, indicating chemical fumigation may also affect the carbon cycle. Overall, these results suggest that chemical fumigation, especially with chloropicrin, has a greater impact on nitrification and nitrifier and denitrifier gene abundance than biofumigation with mustard residues.

Effects of Biofumigation on Root-knot Nematodes and Soil Nematode Community

Effects of Biofumigation on Root-knot Nematodes and Soil Nematode Community

Effect of Biofumigation on Fusarium wilt of Eggplant caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae

Eggplant is the most traditional vegetable crop in India and susceptible to a number of diseases, among which Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae (FOM) that reduce yield and quality. The present study on effect of biofumigation on Fusarium wilt of eggplant caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae under natural field conditions showed that the biocidal volatiles released by Brassica tissue incorporation decreased the wilt incidence greatly from 14.57(Radish) to 50.88(Mustard) per cent reduction over control and significantly enhanced the Yield 30.43 (Radish) to 51.95 (Mustard) per cent increase over control and also enhanced the yield parameters viz., leaf area (10.15 to 35.87), plant height(13.01 to 26.39), root length(23.10 to 49.29) per cent increase over control respective.

Changes in the root fungal microbiome of strawberry following application of residues of the biofumigant oilseed radish

Biofumigation has been proposed as an environmentally friendly method of plant protection against soil-borne pathogens, but its effects on microbial communities are still incompletely understood. Using high throughput DNA sequencing, we investigated the effects of oilseed radish residues on the root fungal microbiome of strawberry in the presence of a soil-borne fungal pathogen, Verticillium dahliae. Results of our greenhouse study show that early flowering occurred in response to residue addition, suggesting a plant stress-response and there was a significant decrease in berry yield. The fungal microbiome of roots was significantly restructured by both biofumigation and inoculation with Verticillium. In particular, the abundance of root endophyte- and arbuscular mycorrhizal functional guilds was reduced significantly as a result of biofumigant and V. dahliae addition, whereas the abundance of saprotrophs increased significantly when both treatments were applied together. Alpha diversity analyses of fungi associated with roots indicated a significant increase in species richness following Verticillium inoculation, whereas the biofumigant alone or in the presence of V. dahliae resulted in no significant effect, suggesting that apparently some rare taxa may have been enriched/stimulated in the presence of the pathogen. Further investigations should reveal whether negative effects of biofumigation on potentially beneficial root associated endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are host genotype- or soil-dependent.

Post-Harvest Enhancing and Botrytis cinerea Control of Strawberry Fruits Using Low Cost and Eco-Friendly Natural Oils

This work investigates an experimental study for using low-cost and eco-friendly oils to increase the shelf life of strawberry fruit. Three natural oils were used: (i) Eucalyptus camaldulensis var obtuse, (ii) Mentha piperita green aerial parts essential oils (EOs), and (iii) Moringa oleifera seeds n-hexane fixed oil (FO). Furthermore, a mixture of EOs from E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita (1/1 v/v) was used. The treated fruits were stored at 5 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 18 days. HPLC was used to analyse the changes in phenolic compounds during the storage periods. The effects of biofumigation through a slow-release diffuser of EOs (E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita), or by coating with M. oleifera FO, were evaluated in terms of control of post-harvest visual and chemical quality of strawberry fruits. The post-harvest resistance of strawberry fruits to Botrytis cinerea fungal infection was also evaluated. As a result, the EO treatments significantly reduced the change in visual and chemical quality of strawberry fruit. Additionally, changes in the titratable acidity of moringa FO-coated strawberry fruits were delayed. EO treatments improved total soluble solids, total phenols, ascorbic acid, antioxidants and peroxidase. E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita (1/1 v/v) EO-vapour fruit exhibited a slower rate of deterioration, compared to other treatments in all tested, in two experiments. The lowest colour change (ΔE) was observed inthe fruit treated with E. camaldulensis var obtusa EO and M. oleifera FO. HPLC showed changes in phenolic compounds’ concentration, where p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid and ellagic acid were mostly identified in the fruits treated with the oils. SEM examination confirmed the potential decrease in fungal growth as the fruits were treated with EOs. In conclusion, the treatment of EOs during different storage periods showed promising characterisations for strawberry fruit quality.

Biofumigation With Pellets of Defatted Seed Meal of Brassica carinata: Factors Affecting Performance Against Phytophthora nicotianae in Pepper Crops

Phytophthora nicotianaeis the pathogen that causes root and crown rot disease in open field paprika pepper crops of Extremadura (central-western Spain). A field experiment was established during spring, a period compatible with the pepper crop cycle in this region, to evaluate the effects of biofumigation with pellets ofBrassica carinatadefatted seed meal, at the rate recommended by the manufacturer (3 tons ha−1), on the survival and infectivity ofP. nicotianaechlamydospores inoculum. Furthermore, three biofumigant rates (3, 6, and 20 tons ha−1) were assayed in laboratory experiments with natural soil inoculated with chlamydospores. In the field trial, the incorporation of pellets at 3 tons ha−1did not produce remarkable changes in soil enzyme activity or soil properties. In both the field and laboratory tests, survival and infectivity in the biofumigated treatment at 3 tons ha−1did not differ from those in the untreated control. On the contrary, the same rate added to autoclaved soil completely suppressed the inoculum, suggesting that the soil microbiota degradesB. carinatapellets before being effective againstP. nicotianae. Increasing the recommended rate to 6 tons ha−1decreased inoculum survival in the laboratory test and 20 tons ha−1completely inhibited the inoculum, although the economic value of such a high rate application is a factor to be assessed. In phytotoxicity tests on radish and white mustard seeds with several concentrations (100, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 0%) ofB. carinatapellets solution, no phytotoxic effect was observed with the two lowest concentrations, and no symptoms of phytotoxicity were found in the bioassays of pepper plants.

Biofumigation potential of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) to manage Rhizoctonia solani

In Egypt, Rhizoctonia solani is an economically important fungal pathogen on many crops such as common bean causing serious yield losses. Biofumigation with Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), as a potential alternative to the restricted fumigant methyl bromide, is gaining attention in sustainable vegetable production. In this study, laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the biofumigation effect of B. juncea, used as dry plants, seed meal, seed powder, methanol extract, and fresh plants (at the vegetative and flowering stages), against R. solani. Results showed that hexane defatted seed meal was the most efficient one, followed by the seed powder, fresh plants at the flowering stage then fresh plants at the vegetative stage. The fungal inhibition rate was 61.5, 50.2, 49.9, and 47.7%, respectively. While the dry plants at both flowering and vegetative stage recorded the lowest suppressive effect (44.3 and 39.1%, respectively). The findings open up the possibility of using the B. juncea in managing the root rot fungus, not only as a common green manure but also as a defatted seed meal.

INFLUENCE OF BIOFUMIGATION WITH MUSTARD OR CANOLA SEED MEAL IN CONTROLLING SOIL-BORNE PATHOGENIC FUNGI OF CHICKPEA

Damping-off and root-rot are important diseases attacking chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Egypt. The effect of biofumigation, using mustard (Brassica juncea) and canola (Brassica napus) seed meals were evaluated to control damping-off and root-rot diseases of chickpea in vitro and in vivo (under greenhouse and field conditions trials) conducted in Sers-Ellian Agricultural Research Station, Menoufia governorate, Egypt, in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Both mustard and canola seed meals significantly decreased the linear growth of the tested pathogenic fungi, i.e., Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani, this decrease was more important with the increasing of concentration when compared with the control. The fungicidal effect of mustard and canola seed meals against the tested fungi was demonstrated under greenhouse and field conditions. Obtained results indicated that mustard and canola seed meals significantly reduced the percentages of damping-off severity furthermore improved growth parameters, i.e., plant height, pods number per plant and 100-seed weight. Mustard seed meal recorded the highest values of reduction in this respect as well as, significantly increased nodulation statusof rhizobium (Mesorhizobium ciceri) i.e., number of nodules, nodules fresh and dry weights on chickpea roots in pots and field experiments. Mustard seed meal was superior. It could be concluded, that applying of such biofumigation procedure in the control of chickpea damping-off and root rot diseases on the field scale may offer a practical complement environmentally safe measure to control soil-borne pathogens, and may be combined in an integrated diseases management regime.

Effects of biofumigant crop termination methods on suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes

Biofumigation is a soil sterilization technique using isothiocyanates (ITCs) generated from naturally occurring glucosinolates (GLs, thioglucosides) in members of Brassicaceae. Efficacy of biofumigation on plant-parasitic nematodes could be affected by the way biofumigant crops are terminated. The objective of this research was to determine biofumigant crop termination method suppressive to Meloidogyne spp. and Rotylenchulus reniformis on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). Three field trials were conducted where ‘Sodbuster’ oil radish (OR; Raphanus sativus) and ‘Caliente 199’ brown mustard (MS; Brassica juncea) were grown as biofumigant crops and subjected to various termination methods. In the first trial (Trial I), OR and MS were each terminated by: 1) clipping off shoots at soil line and covering residues with woven weed mat in no-till (NT); 2) macerating shoots followed by tilling (MT); and 3) MT plus covering with black plastic (MTBP). In the second and third trials (Trials II and III), MS was terminated by: 1) NT; 2) MT; or 3) MTBP, in the same way, described in Trial I; 4) macerating shoots in no-till (MNT); 5) MNT plus covering residues with black plastic (NTBP); and tilling without prior tissue maceration (T). A bare ground (BG) control was included in each trial. Brown mustard MTBP suppressed soil populations of Meloidogyne spp. (Trial I-III) or R. reniformis (Trial I), reduced severity of root galls (Trial I-II) and increased zucchini canopy (Trials I and III) (P ≤ 0.05). None of the OR treatments suppressed Meloidogyne spp. and R. reniformis, but MT and MTBP reduced severity of root galls and increased zucchini canopy (Trial I). When soil glucose and sulfate were analyzed as indicators of biofumigation efficacy, sulfate depicted biofumigation efficacy in the order of MTBP > MT > T, higher than in no-till treatments (NT, MNT, and NTBP) and BG. A similar trend in the glucose was observed only when toluene (methylbenzene) was added immediately to soil samples to arrest microbial degradation of glucose. In summary, Meloidogyne spp. were sensitive to biofumigation than R. reniformis. Biofumigation effect was stronger with MS than OR, and MTBP was the most suppressive treatment on the targeted nematodes. Soil sulfate was more stable in the soil than glucose, thus a good indicator of biofumigation.

Effects of multi-year biofumigation on soil bacterial and fungal communities and strawberry yield

Biofumigation is an effective, non-chemical method to control soil-borne pests and diseases and to maximize crop yield. We studied the responses of soil bacterial and fungal communities, the soil’s nutritional state and strawberry yield, when the soil was biofumigated each year for five consecutive years using fresh chicken manure (BioFum). BioFum significantly increased the soil’s NH4+-N, NO3−-N, available P and K and organic matter. Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. which are known to cause plant disease, were significantly decreased after BioFum. In addition, Biofum increased the soil’s temperature, enhanced chlorophyll levels in the leaves of strawberry plants, and the soluble sugar and ascorbic acid content in strawberry fruit. We used high-throughput gene sequencing to monitor changes in the soil’s bacterial and fungal communities. Although BioFum significantly decreased the diversity of these communities, it increased the relative abundance of some biological control agents in the phylum Actinobacteria and the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Chaetomium. An increase in these biological control agents would reduce the incidence of soil-borne pathogens and plant disease. Although strawberry marketable yield using BioFum was higher in the first three years, the decline in the final two years could be due to the accumulation of P and K which may have delayed flowering and fruiting. Methods to overcome yield losses using BioFum need to be developed in the future. Our research, however, showed that BioFum enhanced soil fertility, reduced the presence of soil pathogens, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and fungi and improved strawberry quality. Unlike chemical soil treatments that can cause pest and disease resistance when used continuously over many years, our multi-year research program on BioFum showed that this treatment provided significant benefits to the soil, plant and strawberry fruit.

Winter biodisinfestation with Brassica green manure is a promising management strategy for Phytophthora capsici control of protected pepper crops in humid temperate climate regions of northern Spain

Phytophthora capsici causes root and crown rot of protected pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crops in the Basque Country (northern Spain), a humid temperate climate area. The objective was to determine the effect of winter biofumigation and plastic cover (biodisinfestation) with Sinapis alba L. (cultivar 'Ludique') fresh green manure on the survival of introduced P. capsici inoculum (oospores) in a greenhouse soil. After autumn-winter Brassica cover crop soil incorporation in February, oospores remained at 15 and 30 cm depth for four weeks´ time exposure in two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010. Oospores viability was estimated with a plasmolysis method and infectivity with a potted pepper bioassay. Viability was significantly higher in biodisinfestated oospores than in the non-treated control in both years (81% and 21% relative increase in 2009 and 2010, respectively) and significantly higher at 30 cm depth than at 15 cm in 2009 (24% relative increase). Conversely, biodisinfestation significantly delayed disease incidence progression until the first half of infectivity bioassays in both years compared to the non-treated soils (83% and 75% relative decrease of dead plants in 2009 and 2010 respectively). The low soil temperatures could explain the low oospore survival reduction and suggest that the suppressiveness expressed in the infectivity bioassay was related with an increase of microbial activity in the biodisinfestation treatment. We conclude that winter biodisinfestation with fresh Brassica green manure is a promising management strategy for Phytophthora root rot control of protected peppers crops in regions of humid temperate climate such us northern Spain.

Assessing Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation as a Control Tactic for Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) in California Brussels Sprouts.

Fumigants are often the primary material used to manage plant disease agents, soil-borne arthropods, and weeds in California agriculture, particularly in the absence of crop rotation. However, some fumigants have come under increased regulatory scrutiny and are therefore no longer available for use. We tested two biologically based preplant crop-protection fumigant alternatives for their effectiveness in reducing populations of Delia radicum (L.), a soil-borne insect pest of cole crops. Laboratory and field tests compared pest survival in untreated control soil with survival under anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), which is induced by incorporating a carbon source (rice bran or grape pomace) and subsequently saturating the soil with water. We also measured and compared the effects of standard grower practices (fumigation), ASD and biofumigation (mustard seed meal incorporated before planting), and untreated control soils on fly abundance, pupal survival, and root damage in Brussels sprout fields. In both laboratory and field studies, D. radicum pupal survivorship was reduced in ASD-treated soils relative to control soils. Pupal survivorship of Musca domestica (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), which was used as a proxy for D. radicum in some field experiments, was also reduced in ASD- and biofumigation-treated soils, when compared with untreated control soils. These results indicate that fumigant alternatives may provide useful insect pest management opportunities for compatible cropping systems.