Quality compost: a durable solution for two different problems

Phytophthora disease of strawberry is one of the major problems in strawberry protection. An alternative to chemical treatment needs to be found.

Project aims:

• Find a sustainable solution to control soilborne diseases by strawberry
• Improve the market for quality compost

Methodology:

• Pot trials to screen the different composts and green manure
• Field experiment in an with Phytophthora naturally infested field

Results, conclusion, state of the art:

Compost and green manure can reduce disease incidence in pot experiments. The evaluation of field experiment has to show, if this reduction is also effective under the conditions of agricultural practise.

• Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) – Research, training and innovation

Agroscope RAC Changins, Les Fougères, Dr. Vincent Michel, Switzerland

• Fuchs Jacques (Department of Crop Sciences)

• Plant Protection - Phytopathology (Department of Crop Sciences, FiBL Switzerland)