[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [compost_tea] CT effect on wine



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 sulphur 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 humics) 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 of 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 designed to in the soil.
Regards Mike Harvey
www.composttea.com.au
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Anthony
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 CT on foliar disease suppression. I have achieved some good Rheams numbers in 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 powderys' 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 any of the suite of microbes munching down on a mite, so is it competition for space in this situation as opposed to eating each other. rather analogous to a david and goliath scenario dont you think?
 
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
compost_tea-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
compost_tea-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.