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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@intrex.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>, Biodynamic Food and Farming Discussion <bdnow@envirolink.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] [Fwd: Re: [compost_tea] Bacterial Wilt of Tomatoes]
  • Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:01:34 -0500

For those interested.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Bacterial Wilt of Tomatoes
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:04:46 -0500
From: soilfoodweb@aol.com
Reply-To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
References: <fjgg41+fvt1@eGroups.com>



To understand exactly what is needed to deal with wilt, ANY wilt, you
need to understand the organisms that cause the disease.

First, probably 95% of the wilt-causing organisms (many different
species) require a continuous water-film in the soil in order to move
to, or around on, the plant. The infective stage of the disease is
almost always a zoospore, which has a distinctive appearance, but looks
a great deal like a flagellate. In order to germinate and move around,
it has to have a low-oxygen water film.

Which means some taxonomists want to call these diseases protozoa
instead of fungi, but the disease stage, the one that takes out your
plants, is fungal in appearance. So, probably better to keep these in
the fungal kingdom, but you can see where we argue about this in the
world of taxonomy.

In order to safely make it to your plant, in that water film, and to be
able to not be out-competed for the infective site on the plant
surface, the zoospore, reduced oxygen conditions and continous water
film in the soil.

Thus you see the connection with rain. But rain alone won't result in
wilt, it has to be rain AND compacted conditions in the soil.

No compaction, no wilt.

So, the observations about GOOD compost, with good sets of organisms in
them......... Put back the organisms needed to build soil structure, and
the diseases go away.

And you don't have to get nuts about identifying WHICH species of
wilt-causing organisms you have. They all, or almost all, operate the
same way. Fix the compaction problem and you are 75% of the way to no
disease. Fix the water-logging problem, and you have the rest of the
problem licked.

Hum, both problems require all the organisms groups, and the good guys
in those organism groups, to be present AND PERFORMING THEY JOBS. They
only work when they have oxygen, just like you and me. Nothing to
breathe? No work gets done. No air assageways and hallways in the
soil. No one to take the garbage out? The hallways get clogged up, and
you won't have water movement in the soil. The toilets back up.
Disease takes over.

Good compost, please, not manure. Manure is too risky. Or if you must
use manure, make sure it is from an organic farm and the manure doesn't
stink.

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
SFI Corvallis, OR
SFI Port Jefferson, NY
SFI Lismore, NSW, Australia
SFI Roxburgh, New Zealand
SFI Culiacan, Mexico
SFI Canada West, Vulcan
SFI South Africa, Polokwane
SFI England, Laverstoke Park
SFI Canada East, Halifax
http://www.soilfoodweb.com


-----Original Message-----
From: markturvey <markturvey@yahoo.com.au>
To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 2:30 am
Subject: [compost_tea] Bacterial Wilt of Tomatoes

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience in using compost tea
against Bacterial Wilt of tomatoes (Ralstonia solanacearum).
thanks





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