Biofumigation is defined as the use of biologically active plant substances to control soil-borne pests and diseases in agriculture and horticulture. Soil-borne diseases are on the rise. Since chemical pesticides are being increasingly regulated, biofumigation is becoming more important as a part of integrated pest management.
The technique is useful for:
- Suppressing certain soil-borne pathogens
- Bringing more flexibility to crop rotation
- Harnessing the positive effect of catch crops
- Organic farming
- Greenhouse cultivation
Proven advantages of catch crop cultivation are promotion of the soil's water-retention capacity, structure and aeration. By additionally applying the biofumigation technique, you can introduce plant substances into the soil, where they help to combat soil-borne diseases.
Cruciferous plants contain glucosinolates, which is at its highest concentration when the plant is flowering. When the plants are finely chopped (chaffed) and worked into the soil, the glucosinolates are converted enzymatically into isothiocyanates, the actual active ingredients.
These target the active stages of pests such as fungal mycelia, mobile nematodes or germinated weeds.