-----Original Message-----
From: butch ragland [mailto:wilddog_202_at_yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 8:56 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] nematodes
* I found, I think, on a USDA research site a reference
about compost tea producing beneficial parasitic
nematodes that fed on plant eating nematodes. Can
anyone help me with this subject.
[Tom Jaszewski] The addition of large amounts of organic matter (compost,
lawn clippings, animal manures, etc.) to soil is known to be detrimental to
nematodes. Compost tea does an incredible job. A healthy soil food web is a
difficult place for plant feeding species to thrive.
"Most varieties of French marigold (Tagetes patula), especially Petite
Harmony and Petite Yellow, are resistant to root-knot nematode because thei=
r
roots secrete nematicidal chemicals. This phenomenon can be utilised for
nematode control by dividing a vegetable garden into strips or blocks and
planting marigolds in some part of the garden each year. Since a complete
cover of marigolds is required, seed or seedlings should be planted no more
than 15 cm apart and weeds should be kept under control until the marigold
canopy crowds out competing weeds. After flowering, seed-bearing heads are
removed to provide seed for the following crop and to reduce annoying
volunteers that will be weeds in the succeeding vegetable crop. The
marigolds are then incorporated into the soil with a spade or rotary hoe." =
Beneficial nematodes are effective against a number of soil borne pests, bu=
t
I am not aware of a beneficial theat feeds on root knot.
"There are currently eight nematode manufacturers in the United States.
Biofac, Inc., BioLogic and M&R Durango, Inc. produce Steinernema
carpocapsae. Biosys produces different Steinernema species. Hydro-Gardens,
Inc., Nematec, and Praxis manufacture various Heterorhabditis species. Thes=
e
nematodes are then sold to various ornamental/lawn care companies and
mail-order pest management supply companies. They then sell the nematodes t=
o
consumers using various product names."
Rotating with high nitrgen cover crops has been successful. We successfully
controlled a mojar infestation on palms by top dressing with, what we now
know as, poor quality compost.
"Common Sense Pest Control" by Olkowski has an excellent section on
parasitic nematodes and control.
http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/nemas.html
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/nematodes.html
Received on Sat Oct 23 2004 - 19:48:36 EDT