Suppression of Plant Pests and Diseases, and Human Pathogens, by Food Waste Vermicomposting

The efficient production of high value horticultural vermicomposts, using automated high technology continuous-flow reactors, and their beneficial use in greenhouse and field applications, have been demonstrated convincingly by Oregon Soil Corporation and at OSU with positive results, with previous USDA/SBIR Phase I and Phase II support. For successful commercial development of vermicomposts, further critical research questions relating to the effects of vermicomposting on plant pests and human pathogens still remain to be answered. These include: The degree and extent of suppression of plant diseases by use of vermicomposts in greenhouse and field. The assessment of suppression of arthropod (insects and mites) attacks on plants by use of vermicomposts in greenhouse and field. The extent of suppression of attacks by plant parasitic nematodes by use of vermicomposts in the field. The proportion of weed seeds in food wastes destroyed by vermicomposting. The amount and timing of suppression of human pathogens in food wastes by vermicomposting.