Calcium cyanamide, also known as nitrolime, has been used as slow release nitrogen / calcium fertiliser with liming effect for over 100 years. Because of its negative effect on many soil borne diseases it is now often applied to prevent yield and quality losses during increasingly tight,
Effect on soil borne diseases :
Calcium cyanamide when used as a fertiliser, offers good control of clubroot and some species of Phytophthora. Other organisms causing soil borne diseases may also be affected. Recent trials in carrots have shown a decline in levels of Pythium sulcatum. Research has shown
large differences in sensitivity of soil borne pathogens to calcium cyanamide, therefore it cannot be considered a soil fumigant. A soil fumigant is a product that has a broad spectrum, destructive effect on soil life, including pathogens and on germinating seeds, including weeds.
Effect on weeds
The herbicide action of calcium cyanamide acts only in the top 3–4 cm of the soil. This means it mainly affects newly germinated weed seedlings and small weeds up to the 4-leaf stage. Weed seeds deeper in the soil, or weeds propagated by rhizomes, are not adequately controlled.
Breakdown of crop residues :
Calcium cyanamide can be used to accelerate the breakdown of crop residues because it supplies nitrogen and has a liming effect. The sanitising effect helps by supressing weeds and diseases. In Europe, calcium cyanamide is used in the manufacture of compost.
Effect on soil borne diseases
Calcium cyanamide when used as a fertiliser, offers good
control of clubroot and some species of Phytophthora.
Other organisms causing soil borne diseases may also
be affected. Recent trials in carrots have shown a decline
in levels of Pythium sulcatum. Research has shown
large differences in sensitivity of soil borne pathogens to
calcium cyanamide, therefore it cannot be considered
a soil fumigant. A soil fumigant is a product that has a
broad spectrum, destructive effect on soil life, including
pathogens and on germinating seeds, including weeds
crop rotations.Calcium cyanamide, also known as nitrolime, has been
used as slow release nitrogen / calcium fertiliser with
liming effect for over 100 years. Because of its negative
effect on many soil borne diseases it is now often applied
to prevent yield and quality losses during increasingly tight
crop rotations.