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Ozonated water electrolytically generated by diamond-coated electrodes controlled phytonematodes in replanted soil

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection • 2021
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Publication Information
Authors X Kanfra, A Elhady, H Thiem, S Pleger, M Höfer, H Heuer
Keywords Ozone treatment · Apple replant disease · Nematode · Pest control · Horticulture · Soil disinfestation
Journal Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection
Publisher 0123456789
Volume 128
Issue Not Available
Pages 1657–1665
publication.type International
Paper Link Open Link
Supplementary Materials Not Available
Abstract
Phytonematodes cause severe yield losses in horticulture, partly because they are difficult to manage. Compact, energy-efficient generators that electrochemically produce ozonated water by utilizing diamond-coated electrodes have become available. In this study, the application of on-site generated ozonated water to inactivate soil nematodes and to mitigate nematode-mediated apple replant disease was tested. Pratylenchus penetrans was highly susceptible to dissolved ozone (LC50 0.6 mg L−1). In one greenhouse experiment, treatment of P. penetrans in soil with ozonated water (0.27 mg ozone L−1 soil) reduced subsequent invasion of the nematodes into roots by 60%. Growth of apple saplings in soil that was affected by apple replant disease (ARD) was significantly improved following a treatment with 1/10 volume ozonated water compared to the control. In a second greenhouse experiment, one-time drenching of ARD soil with ozonated water was followed by improved growth of apple plants similar to that in autoclaved soil. A second application of ozonated water did not further improve plant growth. The number of active nematodes in replanted soil that moved through a Baermann filter was significantly reduced by all tested concentrations of ozone (0.12–0.75 mg L−1 soil). A fraction of 19–36% of the nematodes survived and slightly recovered after four weeks. In conclusion, on-site generated ozonated water has potential to mitigate nematode problems in horticulture and to expand management options.