EFFECTIVENESS OF PEROXIDES IN SOIL DISINFECTION IN RELATION WITH STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Abstract

Environment friendly disinfection options were tested on soils used in strawberry (Fragaria vesca) cultivation in the Mediterranean, due to the imminent need of finding sustainable alternatives. The efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (OXI) and peracetic acid (APA) as soil disinfectants was assessed by determining their biocide effect on mycoflora and fungi frequency. Soil sampling was carried out in Finca Las Malvinas, Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain. Five doses of each product were compared (in mL kg^-1): OXI D0: 0; D1: 0.128; D2: 1.28; D3: 12.8; D4: 128; y APA D0: 0; D1: 0 .853; D2: 8.53; D3: 85.3; D4: 853, for the determination of their effect on colony forming units (CFU) in 1 kg of soil. With the doses OXI D4 and APA D4 a 100 % of disinfection was obtained. The doses OXI D1, OXI D2, APA D1 and APA D2 did not show efficacy as disinfectants. However, they were able to reduce the frequency of Phytophthora sp. and Botrytis sp. to 0 %, compared to other identified fungi genera: Fusarium, Aspergillus, Pencillium, Trichoderma and Rhizopus.