ARS | Publication request: Application of Brassicaceae Seed Meals for the Management of Apple Replant Disease

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: June 26, 2006
Publication Date: June 26, 2006
Citation: Mazzola, M., Abi-Ghanem, R. 2006. Application of brassicaceous seed meals for the management of apple replant disease. Proceedings, 2nd International Biofumigation Conference, Moscow, ID. June 26-28. P.56.

Technical Abstract: Field trials were established to evaluate the efficacy of brassicaceae seed meal amendments for control of the soilborne pathogen/parasite complex inciting apple replant disease, and capacity of such treatments to enhance tree growth and yield. Brasica napus seed meal amendment conducted in the fall prior to planting used in conjunction with a post-plant mefenoxam soil drench was as effective as Telone-C17 soil fumigation in controlling replant disease and enhancing tree growth and yield on a site lacking the lesion nematode. Although the treatment provided initial nematode control on a site possessing significant Pratylenchus penetrans numbers, tree growth in seed meal amended soils was inferior to that obtained in response to pre-plant fumigation. This likely resulted from the observed re-infestation of seed meal treated soils by P. penetrans. In subsequent studies, multiple seed meals were evaluated with and without a post-plant mefenoxam drench. Although Brassica juncea seed meal did not stimulate root infection by resident Pythium spp., application of mefenoxam to such treated soils nevertheless stimulated tree growth, apparently resulting from the suppression of root infection by Phytophthora. To date, tree growth in B. juncea seedmeal/mefenoxam treated soils has been superior to all other treatments, including preplant soil fumigation.