PW-ACTUA Trials with alternative soil decontamination If the inundation results are positive, the measures may be given official recognition as a way of controlling potato cyst nematodes. The Frank and Anton de Schutter Partnership in Vierhuizen flooded a plot of farmland of 30 hectares in September. This was done together with Agrifirm and PPO in order to examine the effect of the flooding on harmful soil life. The partnership also carried out organic soil decontamination on another plot of land. The idea is to compare the results of these two measures and a combination of the two as well. At the crop farm of the De Schutter Partnership, the cultivation of high-quality S seed potatoes on 60 to 70 hectares is an important branch of their business. In addition, the company has established a modern type of cultivation, with 250,000 minitubers on a yearly basis. The light sandyloam soil around the farm is very suitable for seed potato multiplication and, the partners tell us, the disease pressure is relatively low. And they would like to keep it that way. And that is the reason why they agreed to hold trials of alternative methods for dealing with possible harmful soil life. In collaboration with Agrifirm Cooperative and Applied Research, Plant & Environment (PPO) a threepart trial was set up. One part involves the trialling of the effects of flooding on harmful soil life (potato cyst nematodes, free nematodes and wilting (Verticillium dahliae). Possible official recognition The second part involves organic soil decontamination. For this purpose, the De Schutter Partnership has sown a plot with brown mustard. The green foliage was flailed in June and subsequently worked into the soil with a cultivator. The plot that was flooded is also part of this organic soil decontamination trial. This combination forms the third part of the trial. Before the trial started, the relevant part of the plot was artificially contaminated, explains Agrifirm. Researchers buried little bags of cysts in the soil. At the end of the trial, the bags were dug up again to see what had happened with the contents. The study was sponsored by the Wim Luijkx Innovation Fund and was also funded by the Dutch Agricultural Marketing Board. The nVWA (new Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and former Plant Protection Services) is also interested in the outcome of the trials. If the results are positive, the measures may be given official recognition as a way of controlling potato cyst nematodes. ● Potatogrowers Frank (l) en Anton de Schutter examine the effect of the flooding on harmful soil life. 8 Potato World 2012 • number 1 Pagina 7
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