Soil Solarization a Method of Killing Weeds and Diseases Using the Sun

Soil solarization is an environmentally friendly method of using the sun's power to control pests such as bacteria, insects, and weeds in the soil. The process involves covering the ground with a tarp, usually a transparent polyethylene cover, to trap solar energy (Fig. 1).

What is the function of solarization?
How do you Solarize weeds?
How long does it take to Solarize soil?
What is soil solarization in plant pathology?
What is meant by solarization?
Will black plastic kill weeds?
What kills weeds permanently?
Does vinegar kill weeds permanently?
How thick does black plastic sheeting kill weeds?
Can you Solarize soil with clear plastic?
How does solarization sterilize soil?
Does soil solarization kill worms?

What is the function of solarization?

Solarization is a chemical-free way of controlling pests such as pathogenic microorganisms (mainly fungi, bacteria, and nematodes), insects, and wild plants in the soil before crops planting (Katan, 1987; McGovern and McSorley, 1997; Gill et al., 2009).

How do you Solarize weeds?

Put a good thick cover on, then add some mulch. When the mulch wears thin, top it up. It really is as simple as that. Solarise to get rid of the weeds and the weed seeds, add cardboard and mulch and it's ready to go.

How long does it take to Solarize soil?

It can work on a farm-scale or on a small garden-scale, and sounds like it may be worth the effort! The solarization process will take 4-6 weeks, possibly 8 weeks. Heating can occur as deep as 18 inches with soil temperatures reaching 90-98 degrees at that depth.

What is soil solarization in plant pathology?

Soil solarization is a non-chemical environmentally friendly method for controlling pests using solar power to increase the soil temperature to levels at which many soil-borne plant pathogens will be killed or greatly weakened. ... This energy causes physical, chemical, and biological changes in the soil community.

What is meant by solarization?

a agriculture : the use of solar energy to heat soil to a high temperature (as to control soilborne pests) Solarization, a practice that's been around since the 1970s, uses a sheet of clear plastic film to concentrate the sun's heat and burn out weeds, weed seeds, many plant pathogens such as verticillium wilt, and ...

Will black plastic kill weeds?

Black plastic mulch can kill grass and weeds to make space for a vegetable garden. It's an eco-friendly way to clear land without having to use herbicides. ... It's the main way that I recommend clearing land without using herbicides since it's suitable for organic gardening and also, pretty easy.

What kills weeds permanently?

Yes, vinegar does kill weeds permanently and is a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals. Distilled, white, and malt vinegar all work well to stop weed growth. Will table salt kill weeds? Yes, table salt will kill weeds.

Does vinegar kill weeds permanently?

There is evidence to say that vinegar does kill weeds permanently and can be really effective at keeping your flowers and displays weed-free. From thistle to horsetail, you can use malt, distilled, white vinegar and even apple cider to stop the spread of weeds in your garden.

How thick does black plastic sheeting kill weeds?

Measure the space, and then purchase clear plastic sheeting 2 to 4 mils thick from a hardware or construction supply store. The sheeting should be at least 6 inches longer in all dimensions than the garden space. Plastic can be overlapped if you have an area wider than the plastic sheeting.

Can you Solarize soil with clear plastic?

Plastic material. In general, transparent or clear plastic is most effective for solarization, as the heating rays from the sun will pass through the sheet and be trapped to heat the soil below.

How does solarization sterilize soil?

Soil Solarization

Clear the area of plants and debris.
Water the soil deeply until it is wet.
Cover the area with clear plastic (such as 1 to 4 mil painter's plastic). ...
Bury the plastic edges in the soil to trap the heat.
Leave the plastic in place for at least 4 weeks in the hottest part of the summer.
Remove the plastic.

Does soil solarization kill worms?

Organisms that are mobile, such as earth-worms move down as the heat increases and are not harmed. Soil Solarization is useful in killing weed seeds but gradually lessens as the temperature gets lower with depth. Any plant that has deep roots or soil structures such as rhyzomes are not affected as much.