Re: [compost_tea] Ampelomyces quisqualis
Hi Dan -
I didn't realize you were Dr. Doo! I sometimes have no memory at all! I
have also been accused that I remember microorganism names better than I
remember people names, and I'm afraid that may be true. I apologize for
being focused on soil critters more than on people. I have to hope that most
people will still put up with me regardless of that shortcoming!
Anyway, there are specific interactions like the one you mention, and yes,
this fungus should be in most AEROBIC, not-overheated compost piles. This
species is not tolerate of high heat, as I recall, so if you get into
temperatures above 155 to 160 rapidly, you lose this beneficial species. IF
you slowly get to 165, the fungus has a chance to sporulate, and then it may
germinate if conditions get back to those that it likes. Ampelomyces likes
fungi of the genus Erysiphales, so the more there is of that, the more of the
parasite is around. If you put alot of powdery mildew affected leaves in
your compost, you should grow alot of the parasite. BUT, you have to know
the parasite is there. So, inoculating compost with inoculum containing this
fungus might be a very good idea, until you know you have this fungus
established.
What are the other conditions that Ampelomyces likes? Humid, high OM, and
lots of fungi. Should be the conditions that are in a good compost
pile......
Elaine
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com
SFI Oregon, USA
SFI Australia
SFI New York
SFI Europe
SFI New Zealand
"Hope is not a feeling. It is not the belief that things will turn out well,
but the conviction that what we are doing makes sense, no matter how things
turn out." -- Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic
Received on Fri Mar 28 2003 - 00:54:57 EST
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