Co-Authors:
Ben-Yephet, Y., Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616, CA, United States
Stapleton, J.J., Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616, CA, United States
Wakeman, R.J., Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616, CA, United States
De Vay, J.E., Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 95616, CA, United States
Abstract:
Soil solarization (SoSol) with a single layer of transparent polyethylene (PE) film, traps considerable heat and moisture in soil. Solarization of field soil with two layers of 1 mil (25 μm thick) PE film, separated by a 6-cm air layer, caused soil temperatures at 15 cm depth to rise by 12.7°C and 3.6°C over those in noncovered soil or soil covered by one layer of film, respectively; at 30 cm depth the respective differences in temperature were 11.2°C and 2.7°C. Viability of propagules (mainly chlamydospores) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum that had been buried at 30 cm depth, was reduced after 31 days of solarization by 97.5%, 58%, and 0% under a double film layer, a single layer, and in non-covered soil, respectively. The insulating effect of a double layer of PE film improved heat retention in soil and the solarization effect. © 1987 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.