Effect of soil amendments and root containment on nematode populations in organic greenhouse tomatoes in the Netherlands

Summary

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) are virulent soil-borne parasites found worldwide in field-grown crops but also in many Dutch organic greenhouses. Due to short crop rotations of susceptible crops, greenhouse producers increase the risk of increasing root-knot nematode (RKN) populations to the point that yield losses can be substantial. Moreover, implementing nematode control techniques such as soil steaming, biofumigation and purchasing rootstocks can increase overall production costs. With the increase in energy costs and the negative impacts on soil ecology, viable alternatives for soil steaming are also required, and the use of soil amendments may hold promise as an effective means for RKN suppression. The goal of the study was to analyze the effects of soil amendments compared to when the soil was not amended or placed in peat pot (root containment).