Researchers at Cornell University have found that earthworm castings (especially compost using different species of earthworms) are not only excellent fertilizer, but can also help greenhouse farmers prevent common pathogens. Working with New York compost producers, they have identified organic methods to improve crop health with less environmental impact.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Building on research led by Professor Eric Nelson, Allison Jack, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, stated that beneficial bacteria in earthworm castings can colonize seed surfaces and release a substance that interferes with the chemical signals between host and pathogen, protecting it from infection.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Jack stated: "We know that this microorganism does release something that zoospores dislike. The next step is to study what it is."Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Eric Carr, a master's student in the Nelson laboratory, focuses his main work on studying the suppressive ability of earthworms at different stages of the life cycle of Pythium aphanidermatum. The swimming spores of Pythium aphanidermatum can infect seedlings shortly after germination, causing the seedlings to damp off or wilt.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Carr: "At some point, humans will need to use this type of natural resource efficiently. By then, we will understand better how it works."Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Research shows that certain composts can suppress diseases, but among the thousands upon thousands of microorganisms in good compost, it is still unknown which strains can suppress which diseases. Another challenge in identifying and manipulating these suppressive microbial strains is the variability among different composts.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
To overcome this problem, Jack approached Tom Herlihy (Tom operates Worm Power company in the Avon area of New York State). The company produces 2.5 million pounds of earthworm 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 use by farmers and scientists like Jack.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Herlihy: "In the United States, chemical agents are used to treat seeds. If our earthworm castings can suppress Pythium, then earthworm castings can be used to solve it. Is there still a need for chemical agents?"Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
If the Environmental Protection Agency allows Herlihy to sell this type of biopesticide product, there will be economic benefits.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Another related research topic at Cornell University focuses on the organic fertilizer efficacy of earthworm castings. Neil Mattson, assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture, recently received a $203,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study how organic farmers can incorporate earthworms into potting media to achieve better nutrient management. This three-year research project will begin this spring.Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Mattson: "Many organic farmers tell us that fertilization is the most difficult problem to solve. People in the organic circle are all doing good things. We very much want their production systems to be more profitable, and we also hope that more production systems beneficial to environmental health will emerge."Өгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/
Source: Organic Information NetworkӨгүүлэл нь ...-аас авсанFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/mn/11360/