Vol. 74 No: 6

Title:
Review Article Towards a more sustainable agriculture system: The effect of glucosinolates on the control of soil-borne diseases

Authors:
E.A.S. ROSA and P.M.F. RODRIGUES

pp: 667-674

Abstract:
Crop plants are susceptible to a wide range of disorders caused by pests, nematodes, fungi and bacteria resulting in considerable economic losses worldwide. The approach used to control these dis- orders, which may affect the aerial or subterranean parts of the plant, has been based almost entirely on commercially available synthetic chemical products. Inputs of these products has been increasing in current agriculture systems due to changes in farm management such as the use of shorter crop rotations, disease- susceptible cultivars and high nitrogen inputs. Soil- borne diseases are relatively more difficult to control than aerial diseases, particularly those caused by Fusarium spp., Verticillium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp. Soil treatment with methyl isothiocyanate and other fumigants, particularly methyl bromide, has been shown to reduce soil-borne diseases but their use is constrained. Apart from being very expensive, they are toxic and non-biodegradable. Environmental effects and concerns over health issues linked to chemical residues in agricultural products have stimulated the study of efficient alternative control systems leading to integrated pest and disease management within more sustainable agricultural systems. More recently, restrictions on the use of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant have reinforced the search for alternatives (Reg. CE N° 3093/94, in Journal of Official Communications in Europe L333/1).

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