Soil-borne diseases: Identification and management

Soil-borne diseases are caused by pathogens like fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses that reduce crop yields in plants such as onion, tomato, and cucumber. This factsheet explains how to identify these diseases using visual and diagnostic methods, emphasizing accurate diagnosis for effective management. It highlights that chemical soil fumigation, while conventional, is not allowed in organic farming, requiring alternative strategies. Although 99% of soil microorganisms are non-pathogenic and beneficial, pathogenic species can cause significant crop damage. The resource is for agricultural practitioners focused on soil health and is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe-funded Best4Soil initiative. Additional materials are available through the Organic Farm Knowledge platform and the Best4Soil website.