The vegetable garden in the tropics - Journey to Forever

? Applying organic manure helps protect the plants, especially
against root knot nematodes.
? Disinfection of the soil with steam. In general it is not possible to
disinfect the entire garden, but it is worth disinfecting the soil in the
nursery. The simplest method is to pour boiling water over the
freshly cultivated soil in a quantity of about 10 litres per square metre.
Cover the soil immediately with plastic. It is also possible to
pile up jute sacks filled with earth in an oil drum with a double bottom.
Water is boiled between the two bottoms for about one hour
(fig. 25A). Another method is to cover a heated metal sheet with a
layer of about 5cm earth, and sprinkle water over it (fig. 25B). Fig.
26 shows how to use solar heat for soil disinfection.
Figure 25: Methods for soil disinfection; a: handles, riveted or
welded to drum (or strong wire passed through holes), b: metal oil
drum, c: plate with holes pierced, d: water, e: plate support
(bricks), f: wood fire, g: chimney, h: bricks, i: metal sheet, j: wood
fire.
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The vegetable garden in the tropics