Control of spread of Augusta disease caused by tobacco necrosis virus in tulip by composting residual waste of small bulbs, tunics, roots and soil debris

In this study the elimination of the infectious virus/fungus complex of tobacco necrosis virus (TNV; cause of Augusta disease in tulip) and Olpidium brassicae in different soil types and residual waste material of soil debris, small tulip bulbs, roots and tunics by temperature treatments of different duration is described. The infectious capacity was eliminated by a 40degreesC temperature treatment for eight or more weeks and at 50degreesC for two weeks. The incidence of 50degreesC in composting heaps of waste material of soil debris, tunics and roots and other bulbous remnants for at least 50 days during summer months enabled the ultimate control of spread of the disease complex if the distribution of compost over the fields is intended.