Re: [compost_tea] Nematophagous fungi

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 23:40:51 EDT

Hi Mike

You wrote:
> Do you have tests that can verify Nematophagus fungi in AACT or compost?
>
We have found Arthrobotrys and Paecilomyces funosoroseus, based on spore
morphology. Presumably the others are present too, just haven't seen them. As
long as the fungi are in the compost, they will make it into the tea. I have
not seen the spores germinate and grow in the tea, however. So, the inoculum
makes it into the tea, but growth does not occur in the tea. At least, that I
have observed.

> Have you had experience with the following fungi that are available in
> Australia and are being sold as nematophagous fungi
>
> Arthrobotrys oligiospora, A. conoidus, Paecilomyces funosoroseus, P.
> lilacinus and veticillium chlamydosporium?

I do not have experience with Verticillium chlamydosporium. The others, yes.


> Would it be feasible to use an inoculation of these arganisms in an AACT
> machine( zero bacterial) grow them out then inoculate into fungal dominated
> compost and thus have some of these organisms in the AACT that is used on
> pastures?
>

I think the better choice is to obtain an inoculum and place it in the
compost. Let the fungi grow in compost with good numbers of nematodes. It is
really the presence of nematodes in high numbers that enhances these fungi.

> Can we assume that Nematophagous fungi are already in the AACT if it meets
> the SFI criteria for high quality AACT?
>

No, can't assume that. If the compost doesn't have many nematodes, it is
quite likely that the nematophagous fungi are not present in high numbers, and
may not be present at all.

Sorry I can't be more hopeful on this one. We need to get more nematodes in
compost. An inoculum of nematodes for the compost might be the best bet.

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 Tue Sep 30 2003 - 00:03:40 EDT

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