EFFECT OF SOLARIZATION TO KILL BRADYSIA CELLARUM ON CHINESE CHIVE GROWTH AND SOIL MICROBIAL DIVERSITY

Abstract

<List> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• Soil solarization achieved 100% control of Bradysia cellarum.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• The initial growth of Chinese chive was lower in solarized than control plots, but 20 d after treatment plants in the solarized had recovered and leaf height and yield were equivalent among the treatments.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• Soil microbial community diversity in the treatment group first decreased and then recovered gradually, and abundance of beneficial microorganisms increased significantly.</p></ItemContent></ListItem></List></p> <p>Bradysia cellarum Frey (Diptera: Sciaridae) is an important subterranean pest and is especially damaging to Chinese chive. An effective and more environmentally safe method than pesticides is needed for its control. The efficacy of B. cellarum control, growth of Chinese chive and soil microbial diversity were investigated after uae of soil solarization to exterminate this insect pest. The results show that on the first day after soil solarization 100% control of B. cellarum was achieved. Growth of Chinese chive was lower in solarized plots than in control plots over the first 10 d after treatment. Chive growth in solarized plots increased subsequently to match that in the control plots. Moreover, the soil microbial community diversity in the treatment group decreased initially before gradually recovering. In addition, the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the genus Bacillus and the phyla Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi and Firmicutes increased significantly. Soil solarization is therefore practical and worthy of promotion in Chinese chive-growing regions.

Keywords

• bradysia cellarum|chinese chive|control|soil microbes|soil solarization