Biosolarisation helps organic growers to control soilborne diseases

Added on 12 February 2025

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Biosolarisation helps organic growers to control soilborne diseases

Tomato field trial during biosolarisation (Source: Best4Soil)

Biosolarisation is very effective and fairly easy to implement. Organic vegetable growers in Spain have been using this natural method to suppress soilborne diseases for many years. Four weeks of sunshine and high temperatures are a prerequisite for successful biosolarisation. Therefore, the approach could also be interesting for organic growers in other Mediterranean climates.

Plant residues, fertiliser and sunlight

This chemical-free soil disinfection method is widely used in Spain, according to Aureliano Cerezuela Márquez, Crop Specialist at Rijk Zwaan Spain: ″It has been applied for quite some time in the region of Murcia, especially in greenhouses for sweet pepper cultivation. In organic farming, the use of rootstocks in combination with biosolarisation is most effective for the control of soil pathogens.″