USPEST.ORG Solarize Modeling Program

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Soil Solarization Program Instructions

For using transparent anti-condensation plastic film to manage selected soilborne plant pathogens and weed seeds; developed for nursery beds.

Instructions - how to use the "SOLARIZE" soil solarization program. See also model documentation (pdf)

  1. Select options to fit your situation.
    • Locations currently limited to Western OR, WA, CA stations with solar radiation data (RAWS, AGRIMET, AGWEATHERNET, and CIMIS networks). NOTE: WSU AGWEATHERNET data is not available before 2015.
    • For Start Date, default is today.
    • For End Date, default is 50 days from today.
    • When available, observed weather data from the "start year" are used. When that is not available, data from a 7-day forecast are used, followed by data from the prior year you select. In effect, the program uses the prior year's data as if it were a forecast for the start year.
    • For nursery beds with crushed rock on the surface of the soil, select the depth. Otherwise leave this at 0 inches.
    • The temperature at 20 inches (50cm) is used as an input to the calculations. The default is 80 Degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Model output can be presented in several different forms. The forms of interest to most users are: highcharts graphs, tables, and english sentences.
    • Mortality models exist for several disease and weed species, and more may be added. Select as many as you wish.
  2. Click "RUN SOLARIZE MODEL" button to and wait a few seconds for results.
  3. If you chose highcharts graphs, you can show data values and zoom in with your mouse.
  4. Some weed seed models have red horizontal lines on them. For these species, the line labeled emergence limit marks the greatest depth from which a seed of that species can germinate and emerge. Adequate solarization to that depth means that the weed should not emerge until the soil is tilled. The line marked seed bank limit is a typical value for tillage depth; your actual tillage depth may be different. Adequate solarization to your tillage depth means that the weeds should not appear, even after the soil is tilled.
  5. To re-run model just change settings and click RUNS SOLARIZE MODEL.
  6. If graphs are blank, try a different weather station.
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Integrated Plant Protection Center at OSU Oregon State University Western Region Pest Management Center National Institute for Food and Agriculture

This project funded by USDA-NIFA Western IPM Center Initialization & Signature Program grants, and by the statewide Integrated Pest Management Program of IPPC at Oregon State University.

This program on-line since Jun. 16, 2016. This is version 2.0alpha5, which is under active development as of Mar. 11, 2019

Contact Len Coop at coopl\@science.oregonstate.edu if you have any questions about this information.