Soil and substrate disinfestation as influenced by new technologies and constraints

The aim of soil disinfestation is to eradicate populations of soilborne pests to the desired soil depth, with minimal disturbance of biological activity. It is usually carried out before planting by drastic and expensive chemical or physical means. The three major approaches are: fumigation with highly toxic substances, physical means, e.g. steam, and soil solarization. The basic principles for soil also hold for artificial growth substrates (AGS), but the two differ in certain aspects. For example, infested AGS can be replaced by new, noninfested substrate. Extensive experience has been accumulated with the broad-spectrum fumigant methyl bromide. However, this pesticide will be replaced by more targeted and less known alternatives. We need to continuously monitor plots treated with these alternatives to detect possible outbreaks of new pests. Principles of integrated pest management, particularly combining and alternating methods of control, should be adopted in order to avoid negative side effects. Our research efforts should be directed at developing decision-making tools which will enable us to disinfest only when needed, and to develop methods of soil and AGS disinfestation which are effective as well as technologically, environmentally and economically sound.