Soil solarization controls coop pests and diseases

GOOD Morning to all my Boholano friends, how are you today? I once read about a woman who felt very much alone at her place of work, because she was the only Christian. She was often ridiculed for her faith and accused of being narrow-minded. Finally she became so discouraged that she considered quitting her job. Before doing that however, she talked with her Pastor. After listening to her complaints, the minister asked “Where do people usually put lights? “In dark places” she replied she quickly saw that her place of work was indeed a “dark place” and a light was really needed, so, she stayed where she was and became a stronger influence for Christ and guess what, In a very short time, 13 of her fellow employees came to know Christ as their Savior.

As “light in the world”, We who are Christians and believers in Christ have the privilege of illuminating its dark place's. Lets pause for a moment: if you were in the dark, you would survey welcome light. That's why we share Gods word with souls in darkest night. To lead others out of the darkness of sin let them see your light.

Our topic – There is a simple, cheap and highly-effective method of controlling plant diseases and weeds that do not demands heavy labor, poison the environment or threaten the users health. More than a decade of field work has shown that soil solarization works better than toxic and expensive chemicals. This method was pioneered by Israeli Scientist in the mid 1970's, the technique uses two simple. In austible ingredients-sunlight and moisture.

The great thing about this idea is that the only priced input is the plastic sheeting. Usually regarded as a major solid waste environmental pollutant, plastic in this case, becomes a tool for preventing much more serious forms of pollution caused by herbicides and pesticides. When it is no longer suitable for solarization, the plastic sheeting can be recycled. Besides getting rid of soil weeds and microorganisms that cause disease in plants, the solarization process also alters some of the chemical and physical properties of soil to promote better crop yield. Unlike other methods of disinfestations, such as steaming and chemical fumigation, it does not kill the soil-borne bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi that are essential to stimulate plant growth and development. This is explained by Dr. James E. De Vay, the author of a report from F.A.O (Food and Agriculture Organization-Rome) Dr. De Vay is a member of the Department of plant pathology of the University of California, the doctor says that soil solarization also improves soil tilts, nutrition, aeration and water movement, Making a reduction in unnecessary irrigation, all these effects are long lasting he says.

Soil solarization is also versatile, it is equally applicable in gardens, fields and greenhouses. To me, soil solarizarion is a refinement of the mulching process that had its origins in early agriculture's, traditionally, a covering of organic matter was used to protect soil against frost of heat to increase plant growth. Mulching also served to limit water evaporation from soil, control weeds, improve tilts and manage erosion. With the advent of plastic, black polyethylene film has been employed as mulch to warm the soil to increase seed germination and plant growth, Led by Dr. Yaacov Katan, the Israeli scientist took a new approach using transparent polyethylene film to cover infested soil in the summer months. They opened a new era in non-chemical control of plant diseases and pests when they reported in 1976 that intense solar heat would kill pathogens, weed seeds and seedlings. Their landmark publication spurred pioneering work in California on the uses' of solarization under field conditions and in Japan and Italy on its use in closed vinyl greenhouses.

The success of soil solarization is based on the fact that most plant pathogens and pests are mesophyls, usually killed when subjected to the temperatures of 37 degrees centigrade and above for extended time periods. Thermotolerant and thermophylic soil-borne organisms usually survive the solarization process. Another important principles in post-plant solarization is that soil temperatures do not need to reach lethal doses to control plant diseases. Control is achieved when the temperature stops the growth, development or establishment of pathogenic organisms.” If the pathogens, though living are unable to grow they will not infect root tissues or cause disease, “Dr. Devay explains. To be solarized, soil must be moist and kept covered with a plastic sheet. Cover for four to six weeks during summer or the dry season. Methods are adjusted to climate and to the kind of area to be solarized. There are different ways to prepare the soil and plant beds and to irrigate before or during solarization. Be sure the soil surface is smooth so that the space between soil an the plastic sheet is at a minimal level.

Irrigate the soil to a depth of at least 60 centimeters, before or after the plastic sheet is in place. The greenhouse is closed to provide additional heat during solarization, this causes the soil heat to higher temperatures than those usually achieved under field conditions. The solarization period is usually four to six weeks, after which the plastic is removed and the soil is allowed to day to suitable moisture for planting. Well, I hope this has been of value to you, I hope so. Take care, see you next week