Influence of Intercropping on Soil Microbial Activity and Strawberry Development (original) (raw)
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Strawberry monocropping: Impacts on fruit yield and soil microorganisms
Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, 2017
The objective of this work was to explore the impacts of intensive strawberry monocropping during five years on the fruit-yield and on the microbial soil activity and composition. Field trials were performed in two plots: P1(a soil with five years of consecutive strawberry cropping), and P2 (a soil with just one year of strawberry cropping). Fruit-yield was quantified; total microorganisms and four functional groups (cellulolytics, nitrogen-fixers, phosphate solubilizers, and siderophores producers) were quantified, isolated and characterized in both plots. Total microbial activity was assessed by the hydrolysis of fluorescein-diacetate and soil respiration methods. As results, in P1, a 51 % decrease in fruit-yield was observed, while in P2 it was closer to the yield obtained in P1 during the first and second year of cultivation. Total microbial number and activity were 23 % and 70 % lower in P1 than in P2 at the end of the cropping, respectively. In general, the quantity of total culturable microorganisms and the functional groups analyzed were significantly higher in P2 than in P1 (p< 0.05).The most prevailing bacteria putatively identified were Cellulosimicrobium cellulans, Paenibacillus sp., Azospirillum brasilense, and Burkholderia sp. According to our results, the intensive cultivation of strawberry for several years in the same field exerted a negative impact on the soil quality, affecting the native microbial population, which might be linked to the fruit yield decline.
Cover Crop Rotations Alter Soil Microbiology and Reduce Replant Disorders in Strawberry
HortScience, 2006
In July 2001, a study was established in a field with a 30-year history of perennial strawberry production to examine effects on replant disorder of 12 different species of preplant cover crops, soil fumigation (methyl bromide plus chloropicrin), and fallow management. In May 2002, strawberries (`Jewel') were planted into pots containing soils with the incorporated cover crops, grown for 1 year, and then fruited. Strawberry yields in 2003 were highest in pots containing indiangrass (Sorghastrum avenaceum) and brown mustard (Brassica juncea) -incorporated soils, resulting in 32% and 28%, respectively, higher yield than plants in pots containing untreated, bare fallow soil. Yield was lowest in fumigated soil or soil incorporated with sunnhemp (Crotolaria juncea), having 19% and 10% less yield than the fallow treatment, respectively. In Aug. 1999, a complementary study was established in a field with a 7-year history of continuous perennial strawberry production to examine the effe...
Applied Soil Ecology, 2017
The aim of this study was to understand the differences in physicochemical and microbial soil quality resulting from the use of either wheat straw or black polyethylene, two widely used practices in strawberry cultivation. Soil samples were collected from strawberry crops used during 4 years as monocropping system, covered by either straw or black polyethylene (plastic mulching). Soil physicochemical properties included water content, pH, effective cation exchange capacity, elemental analysis of total carbon and nitrogen, dissolved and total organic carbon, and soil stability by percentage of water-stable aggregates (>0.2 mm). Soil microbial analysis comprised soil microbial biomass (C mic and N mic and DNA concentrations) and estimation of soil eco-physiological conditions C mic :C org and N mic :N tot. Soil bacteria and a fraction of cultivable fungi were studied respectively by molecular analysis and counting of colonyforming units (CFU values). Mycotoxin concentration in soil (deoxynivalenol) was used as an indirect indicator of fungal stress. The plastic mulching system showed positive effects on soil physicochemical properties as compared to straw mulching: Higher soil carbon content and better aggregate stability were observed in soils under plastic film, and the values for soil microbial biomass were comparable in both systems. Yet, soil eco-physiological conditions under plastic mulching were less appropriate compared to straw, as reflected by a reduced C mic :C org ratio (1.3 AE 0.3%), followed by a decline of the number of bacteria (18%), a six-fold reduction of the biomass of soil cultivable fungi, and finally by a twotimes higher deoxynivalenol concentration in soil (mean 2.2 AE 2.4 mg kg À1). This indicates that the plastic mulching system led to less favourable soil conditions and that the production of mycotoxins can be understood as a stress induced response by fungi. Further information is therefore needed to assess how the quality of soil is restricted by the shift of soil microbial communities and by the production of mycotoxins, especially in intensive agriculture with long-term plastic coverage.
Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry Agroecosystems
PLOS One, 2010
Background: Sale of organic foods is one of the fastest growing market segments within the global food industry. People often buy organic food because they believe organic farms produce more nutritious and better tasting food from healthier soils. Here we tested if there are significant differences in fruit and soil quality from 13 pairs of commercial organic and conventional strawberry agroecosystems in California.
Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry
Background: Sale of organic foods is one of the fastest growing market segments within the global food industry. People often buy organic food because they believe organic farms produce more nutritious and better tasting food from healthier soils. Here we tested if there are significant differences in fruit and soil quality from 13 pairs of commercial organic and conventional strawberry agroecosystems in California.
Soil Systems, 2022
This study aimed to evaluate changes in abundance, structure, and enzyme activity of the soil microbiome in response to 4 years of mulching using either black polyethylene plastic film (PM) or wheat straw (SM). Soil samples (depth 0–5 and 5–10 cm) were collected from conventional strawberry plots, in two samplings: 1 week prior (S1) and 7 weeks after straw application (S2). Selected soil properties were monitored in each system and the abundance and structure of microbial communities were characterized via phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. The investigation of soil microbial functions included activities of the enzymes chitinase, leucine aminopeptidase, and acid phosphatase, as well as function genes involved in nitrogen transformation. Each mulch system resulted in distinct physicochemical properties. In particular, a pH value higher by one-unit under PM (7.6 ± 0.3) compared to SM (6.5 ± 0.3) was observed. Values for SOC, DOC, and total-N were 15%, 22%, and 16% higher in PM ...
VIII International Symposium on Chemical and Non-Chemical Soil and Substrate Disinfestation, 2014
Organic strawberry/vegetable producers in coastal California face soilborne disease, nutrient, and weed management challenges. In conventional systems, stringent regulations and air quality concerns make the sustainability of fumigantdependent systems uncertain. To evaluate efficacy of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), mustard cake (MC) application and broccoli residue incorporation, we initiated trials at an organic farm (Org) and a conventional farm (Conv) with crop rotation (broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italica)-strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. botrytis)-strawberries, or fallow-strawberries) as main plot in June 2011. Sub plots (ASD, MC, ASD+MC, untreated control (UTC), and fumigant (Pic-Clor 60. Conv only)) were applied prior to strawberry in October 2011. Cover crop and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown after strawberries at Org only. Marketable fruit yield, weed density, and disease level were monitored during the strawberry season and soil inorganic N dynamics for the entire period. ASD+MC and ASD produced similar fruit yields as fumigant at the Conv site. ASD+MC produced greater fruit yield than UTC and MC at both sites and ASD at the Org site. ASD and ASD+MC produced high inorganic N in the soil 2 to 3 months after application at both sites. This caused salt damage on strawberry during early growth especially at Conv which may have reduced fruit yields in both treatments. Verticillium dahliae population in soil at strawberry transplanting was less than 1 microsclerotia/g soil at both sites. However, V. dahliae infection on strawberry plants at the end of the harvest season in Org was reduced by ASD and ASD+MC suggesting that the mechanisms of yield increase by ASD involved disease suppression. Weed suppression by ASD and MC was limited. The effect of broccoli rotation in V. dahliae and weed suppression was also limited and no synergistic effect of broccoli rotation with ASD and MC was observed.
Microorganisms
Charcoal rot and Fusarium wilt, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, respectively, are major soil-borne diseases of strawberry that have caused significant crop losses in California. Anaerobic soil disinfestation has been studied as an industry-level option to replace soil fumigants to manage these serious diseases. Studies were conducted to discern whether Gramineae carbon input type, incubation temperature, or incubation duration influences the efficacy of this disease control tactic. In experiments conducted using ‘low rate’ amendment applications at moderate day/night temperatures (24/18 °C), and carbon inputs (orchard grass, wheat, and rice bran) induced an initial proliferation and subsequent decline in soil density of the Fusarium wilt pathogen. This trend coincided with the onset of anaerobic conditions and a corresponding generation of various anti-fungal compounds, including volatile organic acids, hydrocarbons, and sulfur compounds. G...