Strip cropping: ally against phytophthora

What is the potential of strip cropping to suppress phytophthora infestans? Research shows that strip cropping can be a valuable strategy for disease control in potato cultivation. Potatoes grown in strips with grass yielded higher than in monoculture.

Strip cropping is an agricultural technique in which crops are grown in narrow strips. This method promotes biodiversity and reduces the spread of diseases and pests. Strips are wide enough, for example 3 meters or wider, to allow for cultivation by tractors.

The study 'The potential of strip cropping to suppress potato late blight' shows that strip cropping can reduce the spread of phytophthora infestans. By alternating crops in strips, the disease is transmitted less quickly. In field experiments in the Netherlands, the severity of the potato late blight and the tuber yield were measured over three years.

The aim was to investigate the effect of strip cropping on Phytophthora infestans in potatoes, with the crops grass, maize and field bean.

Main conclusions:

• Strip cropping with grass or maize reduced disease severity compared to monoculture potatoes.
• Strip cropping with field beans did not significantly reduce the disease.
• Strip cropping with grass produced the highest potato yields, 33% higher than monoculture.
• Despite the reduction in disease in strip cropping with maize, yield was comparable to monoculture, probably due to competition for light with the taller maize plants.

_{Sources
The potential of strip cropping to suppress potato late blight
Strip cultivation is an addition to the control of Phytophthora infestans - Crkls}

More information
More information about Phytphthora infestans can be found in the knowledge base
Strip cropping file
Professional information for arable farmers