PJB-2009-344
EFFECT OF SOLAR HEATING BY POLYETHYLENE MULCHING ON SCLEROTIAL VIABILITY AND PATHOGENICITY OF SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII ON MUNGBEAN AND SUNFLOWER
FOUZIA YAQUB* AND SALEEM SHAHZAD
Abstract
Soil solarization by polyethylene mulching significantly enhanced soil temperatures in mulched soils. A difference of 16oC was recorded in mulched and non-mulched soils at 5cm depth. Effect of mulching was more profound on upper soil surface since higher temperatures in mulched soils were recorded at 5 cm depth as compared to 10 cm depth. Sclerotial viability of S. rolfsii and RCI were negatively correlated with depth of mulched soils. Maximum sclerotial mortality occurred at 5cm followed by 10 cm in mulched soils. Similarly, minimum disease infection and better plant growth was recorded in plants grown in soil removed from 5 cm depth in mulched plots. Maximum sclerotial mortality and minimum pathogen infection was noted after 15 days of mulching.
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