Re: CULT: Solarization
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT: Solarization
- From: R* T* D* <r*@sierratel.com>
- Date: Thu, 26 Jun 1997 23:27:16 -0600 (MDT)
Ross Bishop wrote:
>
> > Rick Tasco wrote about solarization using plastic.
>
> There are a lot of beneficial organisms in the soil also. I presume this
> method cooks everything indiscriminately. Modern agriculture has taken
> the "sterilize the ground approach" but I am not sure I can agree with
> it as a wholesale application. Perhaps for a bed with bad infestation.
>
Ross,
Populations of some beneficial organisms, such as Trichoderma spp. or
actinomycetes, may be increased by solarization. Other important
soilborne organisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi, may be decreased in the
upper soil profile but not enough to lessen their beneficial action.
Populations of some microorganisms, such as beneficial bacteria
(Bacillus and Pseudomonas spp.), are partially decreased during
solarization but afterwards recolonize the soil rapidly. However,
populations of Rhizobium spp. of bacteria, which fix nitrogen in root
nodules, are killed and must be reintroduced with seed of legume crops.
Survival and activation of beneficial organisms appear to play an
important role in the increased plant growth commonly observed in
solarized soils.
Rick Tasco
Superstition Iris Gardens
Central California
Zone 8
