NatuGro: The effect on root-knot nematode

The NatuGro cultivation system seems to improve the disease suppression of soil, against nematodes in chrysanthemum cultivation. This is indicated by the research of Koppert, Wageningen UR and DLV Plant. The measured effects asked for in-depth research.

Three parties investigated the influence of Naugro on the disease suppression of the crop, the soil and the consequences for the production, at four locations. At one location root-knot nematode occurs. The nematode infects the plant roots, causing the development of root-knot galls in which larvae will multiply. At this location, Wageningen UR planted a sensitive crop in the soil. Afterwards, they counted the root-knot galls. The damage was expressed on an index of 0 - 10 (10 represents heavy damage). According to the results of Wageningen UR, the index remained fairly stable when using NatuGro. However, the amount of nematodes in the juvinele-2 stadium of the treated NatuGro soil, was significantly lower.

The effect on Chrysanthemum cultivation
"The effect on the cultivation of Chrysanthemums has been measured in the Netherlands and several other countries", says Product Manager Roger Boer of Koppert. "It seems that the disease suppression in the soil increased, but not immediately." Wageningen UR determined a similar effect for the Pythium; the damage of this pathogen seems to be lower in several of the samples planted in the NatuGro treated soil.

Consultant Ellen Klein: "For the growers, the effect on the production is the most important. Currently, this is not clear. Another result is that, when using NatuGro, AATerra and/ or Rizolex are no longer necessary."

Resilient Chrysanthemum cultivation
According to Roger Boer and Ellen Klein, more research is needed. Koppert is looking for possibilities to make the chrysanthemum cultivation more resilient, both below and above ground.

Voor meer informatie:
Koppert Biological Systems
Bio Journaal, April 2015
Veilingweg 14
2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs
Tel: 010-5140444
Fax: 010-5115203
www.koppert.com

Publication date: Thu 7 May 2015