The Use of Solarization for Disinfection of Systems Used in Soilless Cultivation

Most soil-borne pathogens persist in the growing media used in soilless cultures, requiring disinfection or replacement. Solarization is a disinfection system that involves covering the moist growing media with thin, transparent plastic for 4–8 weeks during periods of highest temperature and solar radiation. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique in eliminating several pathogens from growing media in order to select long-lasting systems suitable for disinfection by solarization. The results obtained indicate its effectiveness in eliminating the three pathogens in the four systems tested.