One of the steps of soil disinfection is irrigation, during which soil pores are filled with water, reducing available oxygen in the soil.
We all know that crop rotation is the best way to mange soilborne diseases. We also realize that in a small, backyard garden environment, there may not be enough space to efficiently rotate all the crops one might wish to grow. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a method of soilborne disease management that the backyard gardener might find to be affordable, and effective against a wide range of soilborne pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and nematodes .
This recent OSU Extension Fact Sheet explains the process and offers considerations for adding this technique to your soilborne disease management arsenal of practices:
Also, in particular if you’ve had disease problems with your tomatoes in the past, this Fact Sheet may prove beneficial:
Identification and Management of Soilborne Diseases of Tomato