A database has been developed for nematode and fungus control within the European Best4soil network, of which WUR is also a part. The database makes scientific information about nematodes and soil fungi accessible in a structured way through a Decision Support System (BOS). The database is available in 22 European languages.
In Best4Soil, a European team of researchers collected information about the host plant status of 138 soil fungi for 48 crops and green manures. The database builds on the nematode schema database . It contains unique information about susceptibility and multiplication of nematodes and soil fungi in combination with green manures.
Information freely available
The information is freely available. Growers can choose their crops and green manures, make a selection of the soil fungi that occur on the farm and then see at a glance which crops are at risk of damage and which soil fungi are propagated by the crops.
This information can be useful when choosing a green manure crop and, depending on the green manure crop chosen, may or may not cause possible damage to the crop due to high nematodes and fungal pressure. By applying the latter information, the use of crop protection products can be prevented as much as possible, which saves costs and the environment.
Online workshop
Growers can still register for the online workshop on soil health on 10 or 11 December. In this free workshop topics such as crop rotation, green manures (in relation to crop rotation), nematodes and soil-borne diseases are discussed.
You can find all the information at best4soil.eu/database , which also includes videos and factsheets on other soil health measures.