Management of common root rot and Fusarium foot rot of wheat using Brassica carinata break crop green manure

Abstract Brassica crop rotations have been associated with the reduction of pathogens, due to both the production of volatile sulfur compounds and changes in soil microbial community composition. In this research Brassica carinata, as break crop green manure, was evaluated for the control of common root rot and Fusarium foot rot of durum wheat in a complete randomized experimental scheme. Field trials were performed on seven farms, in some of the most representative areas of cereal production in Sicily, from 2011 to 2013. A total eradication of Bipolaris sorokiniana and Microdochium nivale populations following the B. carinata break crop, as compared to wheat monoculture, was found in all experimental fields. Fusarium culmorum population reduction ranged between 90% and 66%, with an average of 82% considering all field trials data. Symptoms or signs of common root rot were absent on wheat plants grown after the B. carinata break crop but were detectable on the wheat monoculture. Both incidence and severity of Fusarium foot rot were also reduced, by an average of 40.6% and 56.3%, respectively, following the B. carinata break crop in six of the seven field trials. After B. carinata break crop, wheat plant growth showed significant increases in height and weight, with an average increase of 48.3% and 49.0% respectively. Durum wheat grain yield was also significantly greater following the Brassica green manure, with increases ranging from 9.5% to 62.2%, as compared to wheat monoculture. B. carinata break crop green manure was also characterized by interesting results in terms of disease management in comparison to controls. These results suggest that the use of Brassicas such as B. carinata, as a break crop green manure, may potentially provide significant reduction of pathogens and disease development as well as improvement in grain yield of the succeeding crop.