Soilborne pathogens and root-feeding nematodes can severely limit yields in organic specialty crops. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), which saturates soil with water and induces an oxygen-free environment prior to seeding is a natural pest/disease control method that can suppress soilborne pathogens. This study analyzed the efficacy of ASD in managing key soilborne pathogens in organic vegetable and strawberry production systems.

High tunnels can extend growing seasons, improve yield, and provide an intermediate level of crop protection. However, managing weeds, pests, and diseases within high tunnels remains difficult, especially for organic farmers. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a natural, pre-seeding soil treatment that involves adding carbon to soil, saturating it with water, and covering it to induce an oxygen-free environment that suppresses weed emergence and pathogen formation. This study assessed how well ASD works to mitigate soil diseases and weeds in organic lettuce grown in high tunnels.

This University of Tennessee Extension publication guides Tennessee growers through implementing anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), a fumigation alternative. It explains the process of incorporating organic amendments, covering with plastic mulch, and irrigating to create anaerobic conditions that suppress soilborne pests. Learn about amendment selection, application rates, tarping, irrigation timing, treatment duration, and post-treatment management.

This publication, produced by Ohio State University, explains anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), a three-step soil treatment method effective against a broad range of soilborne pathogens. It details the process of amending soil with a carbon source, saturating with water, and tarping with plastic sheeting, and provides guidance on carbon source selection, timing, soil temperatures, and tarping duration.

This resource reviews anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) techniques for managing soil-borne pathogens, with a focus on strawberry production in California, discussing efficacy, disease suppression mechanisms, and practical insights from growers' experiences.

This webinar, presented by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, will provide basic information on emerging soilborne pest and pathogen issues affecting specialty crop high tunnel production systems and the use of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) as a sustainable management strategy to help with mitigation.

Join this webinar to learn about Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) for managing soilborne pests. Discover carbon sources, application rates, and research findings for sustainable specialty crops in Florida and Pennsylvania.

Soil amendments may be of particular importance in organic vegetable cropping systems in the Southeastern U.S., owing to the size of the vegetable industry, the growth of the organic sector, and the sandiness of coastal soils. This Florida study evaluated the effects of two mineral soil amendments on soil health properties and vegetable crop yield over two years.

Soil tarping is the practice of covering soil with plastic tarps over the winter or in early spring (prior to cash crop planting) to reduce erosion, minimize nutrient leaching, and kill soilborne pathogens, weed seedlings, and weed seeds in the soil. This study, conducted by South Dakota State University, evaluated the impacts of soil solarization (using clear tarps) and occultation (using opaque tarps) on soil health metrics.

Organic strawberry production in coastal California faces challenges from soil-borne diseases and high weed management costs. Verticillium wilt, caused by […]

The 'soil block method' is a method for starting vegetables in which seeds are sown directly into freestanding cubes of compacted soil, rather than into plastic 'flats' or starter trays. This study, conducted at Iowa State University, evaluated organic cucumber and pepper performance when (1) started in soil blocks or plastic flats, and (2) when grown in several commercial, regionally-produced growing media.

Biosolarization is a new innovation in the realm of weed control. Different from the commonly known practice of solarization, which […]

Mustard seed meal extract is an emerging soil amendment for organic production. This study looked at the potential for the extract to improve soil health and nutrient status in organic potato systems.

Blueberries are an important berry crop in the United States, with much of the national production occurring in the Pacific Northwest, where soils are acidic and organic matter content high. Recent research has investigated the ability of soil amendments to improve the suitability of sandier soils for organic blueberry production. This Oregon study evaluated the impact of several organic amendments on soil health indicators and microbial community structure.

This paper reviews pertinent research concerning organic teas, noting that the results of studies on the effects of such teas, […]

Biochar, a byproduct of the pyrolysis of crop residues or animal waste, has gained significant interest in recent years as a climate-smart soil amendment; however, its effects on soil greenhouse gas emissions are not well understood. This study evaluated the combined effects of organic cotton residue biochar, cover crops, and poultry litter on soil CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions.

Winter cover crops can provide significant soil health benefits and serve as an important source of forage for livestock during colder months. This study, conducted by the University of Minnesota, evaluated the interacting effects of winter cover crops and cattle grazing on soil fertility and soil enzyme activity in an organic corn-soybean system.

Ground cover management is an important tool for managing crop quality and sustainability within organic vegetable systems. Many organic growers use plastic mulch beneath their cash crops, but cover crops can be an effective, sustainable alternative. This Rodale study evaluated plastic mulch against three living mulch species and a crimped cover crop mulch in a small plot field experiment.

Emissions of greenhouse gasses in agricultural systems contribute to climate change. Cover crops can be grown to replace fallow periods and provide a number of ecosystem benefits, particularly those related to soil health and emissions from soil. This study evaluated the effects of cover crop monocultures and mixtures on greenhouse gas emissions, soil moisture, and soil temperature in organic cotton systems.

Low soil fertility, intense weed pressure, and climate disruption threaten the economic viability of organic dryland wheat production in the western US. Previous OREI-funded research indicated that a one-time application of composted cattle manure + bedding can double soil organic carbon (SOC) and organic dryland wheat yields for at least 15 years after application. The current study explores this compost legacy effect in greater depth, its underlying mechanisms, and the scope and duration of benefits.