There are many disease causing organisms are present in the soil. e.g – Insect, microorganisms, Nematodes, fungi, bacteria. therefore soil treatments are essential
Mainly there are two treatments methods.
- Heat treatments
- Chemical treatments
Heat treatment methods
- Electric current
- Microwaves
- Solar heat
Heat treatment methods – Solar heat
- Beds must be prepared 3-10 weeks before the planting
- Beds are thoroughly covered with clear polythene sheets.
- Sides of the beds are sealed with the mud and left in hot sunlight>50 0C
- Sheets are removed 2,3 before the planting.
Heat treatment methods – Steam treatments
Raise the soil temperature to 800C for 30 min steam. this method is environment friendly but the investments is high. if complete sterilization at 1000C for 30 min will change the biological, physical, chemical properties.
Chemical treatments
- Commonly used
- Not very environmentally friendly
- Same chemical are pathogen specific
Chemical treatments – Formalin treatments
- Quick and efficient method
- Highly toxic and corrosive
- Soil must be loose, fine and dry
- Cannot control nematodes
Chemical treatments – Soil fumigation
- Used volatile gas, highly toxic (methyl bromide), highly volatile, highly effective.
Chemical treatments – Fungicides
- Useful for soil borne pathogens Thiram, Captan
Chemical treatments – Insecticides
- Carbofuran is used to control the soil insect and nematodes.
Chemical treatments – Seed treatments
- Seed borne pathogens are get activated as soon as they sown it cause to damping off and seeds decay. Thiram, Captan
