[compost_tea] Re: Tric...source????
It seems illogical that a soil fungi like Trich would be contained in cornm=
eal. It is more likely that cornmeal promotes the growth of naturally occur=
ing Trich
Tim
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Jeff Lowenfels <jeff_at_...> wrote:
>
>
> > From: "Howard Garrett" <membership_at_...>
> > Date: September 2, 2011 5:38:09 AM PDT
> > To: jeff_at_...
> > Subject: Howard Garrett Newsletter - Cornmeal Controversy
> > Reply-To: membership_at_...
> >
>
> >
> > Newsletter
> >
> > CORNMEAL - CONTROVERSY
> >
> >
> >
> > This is email I recently received about cornmeal. It was obviously on s=
ome blog, but this blather pops up often.
> >
> > IS THIS TRUE?
> >
> > Cornmeal Myth Busted
> > Posted by Linda Chalker-Scott
> >
> > If you've followed the link to column in question, you'll see that the =
original "research" is attributed to one of Texas A&M's research stations i=
n Stephenville, TX. But it's not really research - it's just an observation=
on what happens when you don't plant the same crop two years in a row; in =
this case, rotating corn and peanuts reduces peanut pathogens. This is hard=
ly news - it's one of the reasons agricultural scientists recommend crop ro=
tation as part of an IPM program and has been for decades.
> >
> > Then we're referred to "further research" (at an undisclosed location) =
where cornmeal was shown to contain "beneficial organisms." Well, no, cornm=
eal doesn't contain organisms, beneficial or otherwise. Microbes can grow o=
n cornmeal, and in fact cornmeal agar is commonly used in labs as a growth =
medium for many species of fungi, and has been for decades.
> >
> > Nevertheless, we're informed that a gardening personality has "continue=
d the study and finds cornmeal effective on most everything from turf grass=
to black spot on roses." This is directly refuted by Dr. Jerry Parsons, wh=
o by happy coincidence is an extension faculty specialist at Texas A&M. His=
informative (and hilarious) column on brown spots in lawns states "Lately =
there have been claims made that corn meal and a garlic extract is effectiv=
e. This is absolutely false! Everyone trying to do the "environmentally fri=
endly-to-a-fault" thing have been wasting their money. They would have been=
better off making corn bread and using their garlic for cooking purposes!"
> >
> > Dr. Parsons continues: "Let me explain how these University tests and r=
ecommendations have been misrepresented in a desperate attempt to find an o=
rganic fungicide. The corn meal was investigated by a Texas A&M pathologist=
as a way to produce parasitic fungi used to control a fungus which occurs =
on peanuts." (This directly relates to my earlier point that cornmeal agar =
has a long history of use in fungal culture.)
> >
> > It boils down to this: if you have a healthy soil, it will probably con=
tain diverse populations of beneficial microbes, including those that contr=
ol pathogenic fungi. You don't need to add cornmeal - it's simply an expens=
ive form of organic material. So you can ignore the directions in the artic=
le on how to incorporate cornmeal into the soil, or make "cornmeal juice" t=
o spray on "susceptible plants." Just nuture your soil with (repeat after m=
e) a thick layer of coarse organic mulch.
> >
> > (As a footnote, let me say how annoying it is when gardening personalit=
ies grant themselves advanced degrees or certifications in their titles. C'=
mon folks - if your information is so great, do you really need to pretend =
you’re someone else?)
> >
> > This is my response to this recent email.
> >
> > This is great. Dr. Joe McFarland ran the research station in Stephenvil=
le that discovered the anti-fungal properties of cornmeal due to the impres=
sive control provided by the tricoderma fungus in the cornmeal. That cornme=
al works is irrefutable.
> >
> > Isn’t it interesting that these same anti-cornmeal people do re=
commend an expensive product from a chemical company that contains tricoder=
ma. Cornmeal has it and is a lot less expensive.
> >
> > Here are the links to just some of the cornmeal reports we have gotten.=
Cornmeal,Cornmeal and Its Many Uses Newsletter,Cornmeal for Thrush, Cornme=
al Juice,Cornmeal Uses and Reports, Cornmeal: Organic Fungus Control for Pl=
ants, Toenails & Skin Problems
> >
> > If you have questions on this newsletter or any other topic, tune in th=
is Sunday from 8am - 11am CST to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show. The call-in ph=
one number is 1-866-444-3478. Listen on the internet or click hereto find a=
station in your area.
> >
> > Shop in the Green Living Store for all of the products I recommend in t=
he Organic Program. Also products are available in theDirt Doctor's Corner =
of your favorite garden center.
> >
> > Please share this newsletter with everyone in your address book and all=
your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help me spread the word on organic=
s. As school begins, the weather cools, and the pace of life picks up again=
, have a great Labor Day celebration.
> >
> > Naturally yours,
> >
> >
> > Howard Garrett
> >
> > Forward this newsletter to family and friends and ask them to
> > Sign up for Howard Garrett's Newsletter.
> >
> > Dirt Doctor, Inc. P.O. Box 140650 Dallas, TX 75214
> > Copyright(c) 2011
> >
> > If you no longer wish to receive Howard Garrett's Weekly Newsletter,
> > click reply and put Unsubscribe in the subject line.
> >
> >
> > Dirt Doctor
> > blog
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> Plant A Row For The Hungry...and read "TEAMING WITH MICROBES: THE ORGANIC=
GARDENER'S GUIDE TO THE SOIL FOOD WEB."
>
Received on Sun Sep 04 2011 - 11:17:40 EDT
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: Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:12 EST