Soil and Substrate Health

Intensive crop production in greenhouse is a challenging task from various aspects of maintaining soil health. The lack, or short crop rotation practice, boost a buildup of pathogen populations which can damage the crop and put crop profitability at risk. Hence, the use of effective pest control measures, while trying to withstand soil health and its fertility are needed. When resistant plants or rootstocks are not available, some form of soil disinfestation may be essential to eliminate the majority of root pathogens and pests in the soil. Drastic soil treatments (e.g. soil steaming, and fumigation) can create a “biological vacuum” leading the soil to degradation of soil fumigants: occurrence and be disposed to pathogens and pests re-invasion. In contrast, an approach which incorporate various agricultural practices of crop production and protection enhances the development of natural disease suppressiveness and provides an increased growth response is preferred. A system approach which impacts pest onset and disease suppression consists of manipulation of agricultural practices to reduce pest, integrated application of pest control measures, minimizing negative attributes to the crop, environment and the consumer, and maintain measures to assure food safety at harvest and following storage. Pest management is a complicated set of procedure due to the heterogeneity of the production system, and pest infestation. Thus, assembly of all components within a production system may result in effective management. Examples are shown with specific crops, pests and management strategies.