Strategies for Selecting Potentially Effective Biofumigant Species for Optimal Biofumigation Outcomes

Juan Manuel Arroyo, Jose Soler, Rubén Linares and Daniel Palmero ()
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Juan Manuel Arroyo: Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Jose Soler: Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Rubén Linares: Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Daniel Palmero: Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro, 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: 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 Brassicaceae species, specifically Brassica carinata A. Braun., Brassica juncea (L.) Vassiliĭ Matveievitch Czernajew., Raphanus sativus L., and Sinapis alba 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 S. alba and R. sativus outperforming other species in shorter cycles, while B. juncea and B. carinata showed a more efficient GSL profile regarding soil-borne disease control, particularly in aliphatic GSLs like sinigrin. Results highlight B. juncea and B. carinata as potent biofumigants due to their high GSL levels, whereas S. alba and R. sativus 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 Brassicaceae species adapted to climatic conditions and crop cycles for effective biofumigation in sustainable agricultural practices.

Keywords: sustainable agriculture; glucosinolates (GSL); Brassicaceae species; soil-borne diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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