Author(s):

GN Kiran Kumar, SM Jayasudha and KC Kirankumar

Abstract: Soil borne diseases are very challenging to control, traditionally chemical soil fumigants were used to manage them but they are harmful to the environment and human health. Biofumigation is based on the incorporation of fresh plant mass into the soil, which will release several substances that would suppress soil-borne diseases. Commonly used biofumigant plants which include brown mustards, white mustards, radishes and rocket species, when these plants are finely chopped (chaffed) and incorporated into the soil, the glucosinolates (GSLs) are converted enzymatically into isothiocyanates (ITCs), the actual active ingredients. Biofumigants mainly target the active stages viz., fungal mycelia, mobile nematodes or germinated weeds. Relative to soil fumigation, biofumigation is economical tool that would provide additional benefits such as, helping to reduce subsequent weed problems, increase soil organic matter, improve nutrient availability and control soil erosion. In this regard, by over viewing the advantages of bio fumigation, it can be used as alternative management strategy for soil borne plant pathogens, which is of utmost importance for the commercial and well developed agricultural sector in developed and developing countries.

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