How does soil solarization reduce plant pathogens?

Soil solarization is an effective agricultural technique that involves covering moist soil with clear plastic to trap solar energy, which raises the temperature of the soil. This increase in soil temperature can reach levels that are lethal to many plant pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. The exposure of pathogens to these high temperatures effectively reduces their populations, creating a healthier environment for crops and diminishing the incidence of soil-borne diseases.

In this process, the heat penetrates the soil and can effectively kill pathogenic organisms while potentially preserving beneficial microbes that are more heat-tolerant. By focusing on the thermal effects of solarization, it becomes clear why this method is particularly valuable for managing plant diseases where traditional chemical treatments might be less sustainable or feasible.

The other options, while they have merit in agricultural practices, do not specifically relate to the primary mechanism through which soil solarization operates to control plant pathogens. For instance, enhancing beneficial microbial activity or improving soil structure may contribute to overall soil health but do not directly explain how the high temperatures achieved through solarization impact pathogen viability. Lowering soil humidity levels can affect pathogen survival as well, but that is not the primary goal or effect of solarization. Ultimately, the elevation of soil temperatures leading to pathogen mortality