POTENTIAL OF BIOFUMIGATION FOR SOILBORNE PEST CONTROL IN STRAWBERRY

Soil incorporation of Brassicaceae plant residues is a pest management approach utilized with the aim of attaining the release of allelochemicals that are biologically active, a phenomenon termed biofumigation (1). Brassicaceae residues contain glucosinolates that yield isothiocyanates (ITC), and other biologically active compounds, when hydrolyzed by the enzyme myrosinase. In addition to biofumigation, depending upon the target organism, pest control attained in response to Brassica residue amendments has been attributed to altered soil biology (2, 3, 4) at times acting through the modulation of host defense responses (5). Although the majority of studies have focused on use of Brassica green manures in the application of a biofumigant material, the use of seed meals, a by-product of the commercial food and industrial oil extraction process, is emerging as a more efficient and effective alternative application strategy. Effective use of Brassicaceae seed meals for soil-borne pest control is dependent upon a variety of factors that vary with the operative mode of action. Efficacy of chemistry-based modes of action is contingent upon conversion of glucosinolate