Effect of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation with Yeast Amendment on Weed Control and Strawberry Yield

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a promising alternative to chemical fumigation for managing soilborne pathogens and weeds in strawberry production. Field trials were conducted to evaluate ASD using brewer’s spent grain (BSG) and yeast inoculation in an annual hill plasticulture system. This study compared ASD treatments at full and half carbon (C) amendment rates with and without yeast, a fumigation treatment with chloropicrin plus 1,3-dichloropropene, and nontreated controls. Application of ASD was performed for 21 days, and soil temperature and anaerobic conditions were monitored. Weed density, strawberry yield, and fruit quality were assessed. The results indicated that ASD significantly reduced weed density compared with nontreated plots in both growing seasons. Although strawberry yield was not significantly different between ASD-treated and nontreated plots in the first season, ASD-treated plots exhibited higher yields in the second season. Yeast addition enhanced crop yield in ASD-treated plots, suggesting that it can improve ASD effectiveness. These findings support the potential of yeast-amended ASD as a viable strategy for integrating weed and soilborne disease management while reducing chemical fumigant use.