Pablo I. Gauna, Leticia Zequeira, Diego A. Soliz, y Fabio Benítez
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bella Vista; Argentina
Abstract
Biofumigation has different effects in soil disinfection, one of them is to eliminate nematodes. Nematodes are hidden parasites that should be avoided so that they doe not accompany the root permanently. The objective was to use biofumigation to reduce the population of nematodes remaining at the end of the previous crop. This work is done annually and is not enough to eliminate them completely, but it allows horticultural productions with good yields. Biofumigation favors the sustainability of the soil by first cleaning the pathogens and then preserving the microorganisms that favor plant health. It should not be used alone but should be accompanied by several practices both at the beginning (wetting and drying of the soil) and after disinfection (mulching) to achieve a balance of soil flora and fauna.
