Non-chemical Alternatives Used in the Usa on Horticultural Crops

A variety of non-chemical alternatives to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation of soil for horticultural crop production have been researched in the USA. Non-chemical alternatives are highly desirable but difficult to implement to reproduce the benefits normally obtained by preplant fumigation of soil in strawberry production. Production of pathogen-free, high-quality planting materials using steam and other physical methods of soil disinfestation have not been perfected for large-scale runner plant production. Genetic resistance or tolerance to specific soilborne pathogens is important and can be improved. While crop rotation improve strawberry yields and in some cases reduced soilborne disease, the high cost of land and infrastructure for strawberry production precludes rotation as an option. Solarization, biofumigation and/or organic soil amendments have been tested but have have not been successful. Soil amendments must be used at relatively high rates for effects to be significant, and the results have been variable between years. Beneficial microorganisms to enhance strawberry production have produced highly variable results. In general, further research is needed to further optimize and integrate nonchemical alternatives to MB.