Re: [compost_tea] CT effect on wine

From: Mike Harvey (mharvey@westnet.com.au)
Date: Thu Apr 17 2003 - 10:13:42 EDT


Anthony,
We have very little problem with mites, there are predatory mites that will=
 control the bud mites etc. Interesting to note that using CT in preferance=
 to sulphur will tend to encourage predatory mite populations as the sulphu=
r will kill most of these organisms (the exception is Typhlodromus doreenae=
).
The predatory mite Amblyseius victoria is susceptible to sulphur sprays.
Lace wings and lady birds also predate mites so eliminating pesticides will=
 encourage natural control of these organisms. As you would know as you get=
 plant sap brix to a true brix of 12 or above and pH nearer 6.4 pests such =
as these become negligible.
Interesting to note that the folia analysis for the CT treated vines showed=
 good levels of Ca and we were able to use folia sprays (phos acid and humi=
cs) that raised brix by up to 2 degrees. It may be that the CT was helping =
to improve Ca levels and thus folia sprays were more effective?? No data to=
 prove or disprove just a theory at the moment.
Glad to hear you are monitoring using Reams approach have you been able to =
measure brix improvements using CT? I have measured small movements upwards=
 using CT in other crops but have not measured it in grapes after using CT?
Once mineral balance occurs in the vines everything becomes easy and yes=
 it will affect CT performance. However you can have all the right minerals=
 in the soil in the right ratio and balance etc but if the biology is out o=
f balance (bacterial to fungal etc) then it will not work. So we need both =
soil chemistry and biology (and physics) to be functioning as they were des=
igned to in the soil.
Regards Mike Harvey
www.composttea.com.au

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Anthony
  To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 9:20 AM
  Subject: Re: [compost_tea] CT effect on wine


  Thanks Mike
  i think mineral balance in the soil has alot to do with the efficacy of C=
T on foliar disease suppression. I have achieved some good Rheams numbers i=
n my vineyard and results speak for themselves.
  what about mites?. Do you think early inoculation with CT in the vineyard=
 can out compete rust mite on the leaf surface. pathogens such as the powde=
rys' and botrytis are in the order of a few micrometers, surely these mites=
 must be in the order of a few hundred micrometers (or more). i cant see an=
y of the suite of microbes munching down on a mite, so is it competition fo=
r space in this situation as opposed to eating each other. rather analogous=
 to a david and goliath scenario dont you think?

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