[compost_tea] Nematodes

From: Michael Harvey <mharvey_at_westnet.com.au>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 09:10:47 +0800

Dear Elaine etc,
I searched the net re reproduction times for Nematodes, I found the followi=
ng.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/LH053 Life Cycle and Reproduction
Plant parasitic nematodes have a fairly simple life cycle which has six sta=
ges: the egg, four juvenile stages, and adult. Inside the egg, the embryo d=
evelops into the first stage juvenile. The first stage juvenile molts insid=
e the eggshell to become a second-stage juvenile, which hatches from the eg=
g, and in most species, must feed before continuing to develop. The nematod=
e molts three more times to become a fully developed adult.
The length of the life cycle varies considerably with each species, its hos=
t plant, and the temperature of its habitat. Rates of activity, growth, and=
 reproduction increase as soil temperature rises, from about 50°F (10°C=
) to about 90°F (32°C). Minimum generation time is about 4 weeks for ma=
ny nematodes under optimum conditions (about 81°F or 27°C for many nema=
todes).

The number of eggs deposited by a female varies among species and is affect=
ed by the habitat. Most species produce between 50 and 500 eggs, but a few =
sometimes produce several thousand eggs per female. Eggs of some species ca=
n survive without hatching for years but hatch quickly when a host plant gr=
ows near them.

(This is another site with info on nematodes if anyone is interested. http:=
//www.marchbiological.com/L/beneficial_nematodes.html)

My question is what is the reproduction time for the beneficial nematodes a=
nd will they multiply in the CT?
 In light of the above info it seems unlikely that reproduction time would =
be under 24 hours (the usual CT cycle). Thus it is unlikely that beneficial=
 Nematodes will reproduce in CT?? Thus if you are using large brewers (3000=
litre-600gal, as I am) it would seem unlikely that you would get sufficient=
 numbers of Beneficial Nematodes extracted from the compost if you only use=
 say 50 pounds of compost (containing B Nematodes).
This will depend on numbers of nematodes in the compost of course and how =
good your extraction is.
This is of particular interest to me since I have been told that wheat fiel=
ds where we will be using the CT have root feeding Nematodes I would like t=
o be able to inoculate the field with Predatory Nematodes (as well as Fungi=
 Bacteria etc).
It would seem to me that we will need to make sure we use enough compost in=
 the CT to get the high numbers of Beneficial Nematodes since they will not=
 reproduce in the CT (unlike Fungi which will multiply in the CT)?? With th=
e particular system I use it is not a problem to deal with 150kg (say 30=
0pounds) of compost per batch.
Thoughts on the matter would be of great help.
Thanks for your response on the issue of Strike Rust I have contacted Bruce=
 Elliot and am waiting for a reply.
Regards Mike Harvey.
New Life Soils, West Aus.
Email mharvey_at_westnet.com.au
 





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Received on Sun Feb 02 2003 - 20:24:07 EST

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