Pythium root-rot suppression from vermicompost to improve the profitability of hydroponic baby leaf spinach production.

Hydroponic vegetable production in the U.S. has experienced steady substantial growth due to its ability to produce fresh produce, year round close to the source(s) of consumption. A major obstacle to hydroponic production is the gap in effective conventional fungicides and sustainable/organic nutrient sources to protect edible raw food crop against significant root diseases such as Pythium. Fresh baby leaf spinach commands high value, but hydroponic production of spinach has historically been limited due to its susceptibility to Pythium. In this proposal Worm Power, a commercial earthworm composting (vermicomposting) company, is collaborating with the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) group at Cornell University, which has conducted extensive research on the suitability of float pond hydroponics for commercial production of spinach.This project seeks to build on six-years of successful research between Worm Power and Cornell University on the plant growth and plant protection properties of their vermicompost materials (solids and liquid extracts). The goal is to determine, if and the extent to which the documented biologically-based disease suppressive properties of Worm Power in a new liquid extract form, can be effective against Pythium in commercial-type hydroponic baby spinach production. Pilot studies at Cornell have determined that vermicompost solids can be incorporated into the spinach seeding germination mix and liquid extracts used undiluted in the hydroponic nutrient solution without unwanted side-effects to the plants. Here we propose a multi-faceted work plan including the modification of Worm Power & #39;s extract production to test and make a standard commercial product suitable for hydroponic systems. Research at Cornell University will focus on multiple experimental systems to demonstrate both (1) Pythium suppression and (2) the general efficacy of the vermicompost extract in hydroponic spinach production.This project would contribute a novel approach to biological control and renewable/organic nutrients in hydroponic systems thus; (1) increasing the economic viability of small to mid sized farms via hydroponic production, (2) increasing the viability of small to mid sized worm farms, aka vermicomposters, and; (3) further developing an environmentally sustainable manure management system, to the overall economic benefit of U.S. agriculture.