Success StoryUsing Solarization to Manage Sclerotinia sp. in High Tunnels



Using Solarization to Manage Sclerotinia sp. in High Tunnels

Author: Nicole Gauthier

Planning Unit: Plant Pathology

Major Program: Plant Disease ID

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Diseases caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can affect a wide range of plants with yield losses ranging from 10 to 50%. Sclerotinia diseases can be particularly problematic in high tunnels where high-value vegetable crops are planted in late winter for earlier harvests and higher profits. Fungicide applications and crop rotations are limited due to product availability and profitability windows. In a two-year study, soil solarization was determined to raise soil temperatures as high as 120?F in mid-summer; lethal temperatures resulted in 99% mortality of S. sclerotiorum in test plots. Though maximum temperatures in spring and fall solarization trials did not match those of summer trials, mortality reached >80% in spring and >85% in fall trials as soil temperatures reached >100?F. Management of Sclerotinia diseases can make positive impacts to the >1,500 high tunnels in Kentucky. Solarization in high tunnels is a means for low-cost, pesticide free management of S. sclerotiorum. Research results and grower recommendations are available online and at Extension events.






Stories by Nicole Gauthier


Using Solarization to Manage Sclerotinia sp. in High Tunnels

about 4 months ago by Nicole Gauthier

Diseases caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can affect a wide range of plants w... Read More


Disease Scouting Resources: Technological Upgrades for Specialty Crop Growers

about 4 months ago by Nicole Gauthier

Integrated pest management practices are the foundation of disease management, and proper identifica... Read More


Stories by Plant Pathology


Development of "Scabinar 2024", a successful multi-state webinar on management of Fusarium head blight of wheat

about 3 months ago by Carl Bradley

Fusarium head blight (also known as “scab”) of wheat is the most damaging disease that regularly occ... Read More


University of Kentucky Crop Pest Management Webinars--2023

about 3 months ago by Carl Bradley

The University of Kentucky Grain Crops Integrated Pest Management group organized a 4-week webinar s... Read More


Stories by Plant Disease ID


Education of Hemp Growers through 2023 University of Kentucky Hemp Field Day and Educational Sessions

about 4 months ago by Kimberly Leonberger

In 2020, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 4,500 acres of hemp were harvested in ... Read More


Educating Commercial Fruit Producers through Holistic IPM Webinar Series

about 4 months ago by Kimberly Leonberger

In 2022, Kentuckys fruit production was valued at $22.8 million (National Agriculture Statistics Ser... Read More