Researchers at Cornell University have found that earthworm castings (especially compost using different species of earthworms) are not only excellent fertilisers, but can also help greenhouse farmers prevent common pathogens. Working with New York composters, they have found an organic method to improve crop health with a lower environmental impact.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Based on research led by Professor Eric Nelson, Allison Jack, a doctoral student in plant pathology and plant-microbe biology, stated that beneficial bacteria in earthworm castings can colonise the surface of seeds and release a substance that interferes with chemical signalling between the host and pathogens, protecting it from infection.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Jack stated: "We know this microorganism does indeed release something that free spores dislike, and the next step is to research what this is."文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Eric Carr, a Master's student in the Nelson Lab, focuses his main work on studying the inhibitory capacity of earthworms during different stages of the life cycle of Pythium aphanidermatum. The zoospores of this oomycete can infect seedlings shortly after germination, causing them to damp off or wither.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Carr: "At some point in the future, humanity will need to use this type of natural resource efficiently, and by then we will have a better understanding of how it works."文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Research shows that certain composts can suppress diseases, but while there are thousands of microorganisms in good compost, which specific strains can suppress which diseases remains unknown. Another problem facing the identification and manipulation of these suppressive strains is the variability between different composts.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
To overcome this problem, Jack approached Tom Herlihy, who runs Worm Power in Avon, New York, a company that produces 2.5 million pounds of worm castings annually. Because his raw material is dairy farm manure that is regularly monitored, his product has high consistency and good quality, making it very suitable for farmers and scientists like Jack.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Herlihy: "In America, chemical agents are used to treat seeds. If our vermicompost can suppress Pythium, we can use vermicompost to solve the problem—do we still need chemical agents?"文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
There would be economic benefits if the Environmental Protection Agency were to allow Herlihy to sell this type of biopesticide product.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Another related research project from Cornell University focuses on the organic fertilising efficacy of earthworm castings. Neil Mattson, assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture, recently received a $203,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture to study how organic farmers can incorporate earthworms into potting media for better nutrient management. This three-year research project is set to begin this spring.文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Mattson: "Many organic farmers tell us that fertilisation is the hardest problem to solve. People in the organic circle are all doing good things. We very much want to make their production systems more profitable, and we also hope to see more production systems emerge that benefit environmental health."文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/
Source: Organic News Network文章源自FOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/en/11360/