Compost, Replant disease

Compost application reduced replant disease in fruit trees better than chemical disinfestation

Replant disease of fruit trees can be caused by various soilborne pathogens including root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans). Although the chemical disinfestant dazomet (not allowed in Europe) showed the strongest control effect, it also lead to a fast recolonisation by the pathogen. On the other hand, a row application of 150 ton compost/ha showed the best effect on the growth of the young trees and also did not lead to recolonisation by the pathogen.

Comments: Application of 150 ton compost/ha is an enormous amount. Selection of an appropriate type of compost is crucial, and a trial on a small error is strongly recommendable.

Watson & al. in Applied Soil Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.04.014