Effects of Soil Solarization with Different Plastic Films on Yield Performance of Strawberry Protected Plantations in Sicily

Two main alternatives to replace methyl-bromide soil fumigation are soil solarization, which is feasible in geographical areas with high solar radiation, and the combination of the nematocide 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and the fungicide chloropicrin (Pic) applied through drip irrigation lines. The objective of this twoyear study was to evaluate solarization and fumigation with 1,3-D + Pic as preplant soil treatments for plasticulture strawberry production in the northern coast of Sicily. Plots to be solarized were covered with transparent polyethylene (PE) or with green ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) film mulches and left undisturbed for 69 and 77 days in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Freshly bare rooted plants and containerized plants were transplanted in the first and second year, respectively. Cultivars 'Candonga' and 'Nora' were tested using standard plasticulture practices. Soil temperatures recorded in PE solarized plots were higher than 37×C for 792 and 750 hours, in 2009 and 2010 ...