Anaerobic soil disinfestation: sustainable pest control

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a sustainable method for controlling soil-borne pathogens, pests, and weeds without chemical fumigants. It involves adding organic matter to soil and sealing it with an impermeable plastic sheet to create oxygen-deprived conditions. This promotes the growth of anaerobic microbes that produce natural biocides like volatile fatty acids, effectively suppressing harmful organisms. Beneficial soil microbes often survive, maintaining soil health. The Best4Soil factsheet offers a practical, step-by-step guide for farmers and gardeners to apply ASD on their land. The method is supported by the Best4Soil project and promoted through the Organic Farm Knowledge platform and the Best4Soil website.