Among these methods, soil solarization has been advocated to be an inexpensive, non-hazardous method for controlling soil-brone disease. Soil solarization involves the use of solar heat as a lethal agent. For this purpose, the soil is covered by transparent polythene sheet, with its margins sealed by damping a layer of soil all along the border. It is generally done in summer months to achieve the maximum kill of the pathogen.

The practice was first used in Israel. Since soil solarization reduces the density of the pathogen without achieving very high temperatures, its effects on living and non-living components of soil are less drastic. It also reduces weed population thus reducing the need for use of herbicides, and allows retention of soil moisture, since polythene is completely sealed. Furthermore, the soil moisture may be converted into steam, which is more effective in killing the pathogen.