[compost_tea] Exudates (was: Re: Brassicas and vam fungi)

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 10:45:14 -0800

Check out Square-foot Gardening. The author talks about symbiotic plants a=
nd he deals with planting Broccoli and cauliflower in with other plants bec=
ause they help suppress certain insects and diseases.

We plant a lot of broccoli and cauliflower in this area and the stench of t=
hat stuff is incredible when it is harvested. I have found no one who uses=
 any kind of root enhancement materials such as VAMs to enhance root growth=
 and plant health but I will keep asking.

But I need something cleared up. Are we using exudates as a term for any e=
xuded material from the plant? For example, there has been a lot of resear=
ch in regards to sap rising from capillary action in the leaf vs. root pres=
sure. (I am oversimplifying here for brevity.) Sometimes the root pressure=
 in certain plants becomes too much and the plants exude sap from the bark =
and leaf surfaces. I am unsure if this is the same material or process inv=
olved with exudates sent out through roots and leaves that communicate with=
 bacteria and fungi for feeding. I thought the exudates were selective and=
 not general and were sent out in response to plant needs.

Elaine:

Are you stating that the nature of any exudate (exuded material) from the p=
lant is inhibitive because the materials that make up the plant are natural=
 herbicide/fungicies?







Received on Sun Oct 31 2004 - 14:25:07 EST

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