Management of soilborne diseases in small farms with eco-friendly treatment options

Management of soilborne diseases in small farms with eco-friendly treatment options

Summary

This project involved seeding of ‘Caliente mustard seed’ in the early spring and incorporate in the soil at the flowering stage to conduct the trial in two locations. Due to frequent rain and high moisture in the soil, it was difficult to till the land and seeding done on time. Despite this unavoidable situation, we successfully conducted the trial in one location in 2015. The data were presented at NE-IPM webinar in addition with poster and oral presentation at WVU Extension service small farm conference and American Phytopathological society-Potomac Division meeting.

In another location, we did seeding in the late summer of 2015, incorporated the biomass in late fall and prepared the plots for spring 2016 planting. This enabled us conducting field trial in two locations (WVU organic farm in Morgantown and Shafer heritage farm near Bruceton Mills, WV) in 2016. In both locations, we could reproduce the results of 2015 growing season with minor deviations.

Due to following strict guidelines for biofumigation, ‘Caliente’ cover crop treatment out-yielded mustard meal treatment. Both biocontrol products were weakly effective but Serenade soil was more effective than Prestop as revealed by higher tomato yield. Results were presented at the 2nd NEIPM center webinar and will also be presented at the upcoming small farm center meeting. In-season outreach activities included field day and local heirloom tomato growers.

Objectives/Performance Targets

We accomplished all but the last performance targets below.  The remaining analysis dealing with molecular characterization of isolates recovered from infected plants are in progress (see Fall 2016 below).

Spring 2016

Tomatoes will be planted on May 15^th (starting of the frost free season) in plots prepared last fall with help from new student research aide Erin Young and Luke Tignall and seasonal laborer.  Tomato seedlings and resistant rootstocks are being raised at the WVU Evansdale greenhouse by research aides. PI and Co-PI will do the grafting to have at least 64 grafted plants ready by May 15, 2016. Soil mix will be pre-inoculated with Prestop (Gliocladium) and Serenade (Bacillus) at the time of seeding in flats for 32 seedlings in each category.

Summer 2016

Disease scouting, watering, fixed copper applications and any other intercultural operations if needed will be performed by grower collaborators. 

July-August 2016: Disease sample collection, pathogen isolation and short-term preservation of isolates by student and PI depending on the appearance of disease. 

August-September 2016:  All harvesting and yield record will be kept by Joyce Shafer (cooperator) with the help of student during harvest. Disease rating will also be done by PI during these two months. County agent Dr. William Shockey will organize field day in consultation with grower cooperator to demonstrate results to potential growers. PIs will be present to explain how these treatments work to control soilborne pathogens and provide yield advantage. Proper incorporation of biofumigants will also be discussed.

Fall 2016

Molecular analysis of the isolates will be performed during October-December 2016 by PI with the help from student. Data analysis will also be completed by the end of the year 2016 and preliminary report will be produced to present in extension meetings.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

1) In two locations where 2016 trials were conducted, we could reproduce the results of 2015 growing season with minor deviations. 2)Due to following strict guidelines for biofumigation, ‘Caliente’ cover crop treatment out-yielded mustard meal treatment. 3) Both biocontrol products were weakly effective but Serenade soil was more effective than Prestop as revealed by higher tomato yield. 4)Results were presented at the 2nd NEIPM center webinar and will also be presented at the upcoming small farm center meeting. 5)In-season outreach activities included field day and local heirloom tomato growers. 6) Altogether we could reach out to 200 tomato growers, 35 of them adopted grafted tomato and bio-fumigation for managing soilborne tomato diseases.

Collaborators: