Establishing biofumigation as a sustainable replacement to pesticides for control of soil-borne pests and pathogens of potato and horticultural crops

Soil-borne pests and pathogens, including many nematode and fungal species, are major constraints to profitable crop production in the UK.  New approaches are required that have broad efficacy and are suitable for use on a wide range of crops. Biofumigation involves the incorporation into soil of brassicaceous plants, which produce a range of secondary metabolites including glucosinolates, able to control pests and pathogens. However, inconsistencies in efficacy and a lack of detailed data on deployment under a range of agronomic situations threaten the widespread uptake of this technique for sustainable pest control. This project is cofunded by the Horticulture and Potatoes Initiative (HAPI).

Collaboration

University of Leeds, University of York, James Hutton Institute (JHI), HDC

Approach

The project will characterise the glucosinolate profiles of different biofumigant brassicas, how these vary with plant development stage and environmental factors. The work will involve laboratory, glasshouse and field studies. Work on PCN will be carried out in collaboration with the related project 114R476.