A Review on Soil Solarization: Non-Chemical Method for Controlling Weeds & Soil Born Disease

Soil Solarization is the method of heating soil by covering it with thin (25-100 micron) transparent polyethylene sheet during hottest period of the year for at least 4-6 weeks to reduce soil born pathogens, pests and control weed population. In this paper literature relevant to the usefulness of the process and proper procedure for conducting the process has been reviewed. The review includes broad topics principles of soil solarization, factors effecting soil temperature, effect of soil solarization on weed & plant diseases control and crop growth & yield. It has been reported that soil solarization also helps in process like seed germination, seedling emergence, root development, nutrient uptake and the microbial activity. It is non-chemical method hence non-hazardous to the users and does not involve substances toxic to the consumer, to the host plant or to the other organism.