Strategies for Selecting Potentially Effective Biofumigant Species for Optimal Biofumigation Outcomes
2025
Juan Manuel Arroyo | Jose Soler | Rubén Linares | Daniel Palmero
Soil-borne diseases threaten sustainable agriculture, traditionally managed by chemical fumigants, whose use is now restricted due to environmental and health concerns. This study evaluates the biofumigation potential of <i>Brassicaceae</i> species, specifically <i>Brassica carinata</i> A. Braun., <i>Brassica juncea</i> (L.) Vassiliĭ Matveievitch Czernajew., <i>Raphanus sativus</i> L., and <i>Sinapis alba</i> L., cultivated in central Spain. Field trials across two growing cycles assessed biomass production, glucosinolate (GSL) concentration, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception, and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Biomass production varied across species and sampling dates, with <i>S. alba</i> and <i>R. sativus</i> outperforming other species in shorter cycles, while <i>B. juncea</i> and <i>B. carinata</i> showed a more efficient GSL profile regarding soil-borne disease control, particularly in aliphatic GSLs like sinigrin. Results highlight <i>B. juncea</i> and <i>B. carinata</i> as potent biofumigants due to their high GSL levels, whereas <i>S. alba</i> and <i>R. sativus</i> are more suited to early biomass production. The study also explores the chlorophyll content index (SPAD) as a potential field indicator of GSL concentration, providing a practical approach for optimizing biofumigation timing. These findings support the selection of specific <i>Brassicaceae</i> species adapted to climatic conditions and crop cycles for effective biofumigation in sustainable agricultural practices.
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