Biosolarization with Agroindustrial Byproduct for the Control of Soilborne Pathogens in Protected Pepper Crops in Southeast Spain

In two pepper greenhouses contaminated by Phytophthora and Meloidogyne incognita located in the Region of Murcia (Southeast Spain) the effect of biosolarization (solarization with organic amendments) was evaluated, with sugar beet vinasse (SBV), rapeseed milling (RM) and beer bagasse (BB) plus fresh sheep manure (FSM) for the control of soilborne pathogens, plant height, and yield. The biosolarization was initiated in August and treatments were carried out for 6 weeks. Treatments were randomized in complete block design with three replicates. Fresh sheep manure was considered as reference treatments. Viability of Phytophthora capsici, buried prior to treatments at 15 and 30 cm depth was lower in treatments with fresh sheep manure than other amendments, in one greenhouse. Control of Phytophthora sp. root rot and root-knot nematode M. incognita was good in both greenhouses. No differences between treatments in the percentage of dead root rot plants and damage from Meloidogyne sp. were observed. There were no differences among treatments for plant height and yield. No phytotoxic effects were observed for agroindustrial byproducts.