Soil Solarization

Robert McSorley and Harsimran K. Gill

ENY062 describes this practice of covering soil surface with plastic to harness the sun’s heat to manage soil weeds, nematodes, diseases, and insects in soil. The authors answer frequently asked questions and outline steps for conducting soil solarization. Includes references.

Romy Krueger, Robert McSorley, andJohan Desaeger

ENY-902, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Romy Krueger and Robert McSorley, describes this soil management practice that is typically carried out during the warm summer months to benefit crops grown in the following fall — how it works, technical advice, affected organisms, integrating soil fertility, and considerations/drawbacks. Includes references.