Effects of Aqueous Extracts from Vermicomposts (teas) on Crop Growth and in Suppressing Plant Diseases, Nematodes and Arthropod Pests

There are many environmental problems associated with the disposal of large quantities of organic wastes, including animal wastes, food and garden wastes, and industrial wastes. More than 50% of organic wastes produced in the USA are currently disposed into landfills at very considerable economic and environmental costs. There are many constraints to utilizing these organic wastes on agricultural land, including the possibility that they may contain human pathogens, plant pathogens, weed seeds or other contaminants, in addition to the high costs of transport of these bulky materials from production sites to the farm. If they could be transformed into value-added materials, such as vermicomposts, that promote crop growth and yields and control pests and diseases, there would be substantial economic and environmental benefits. This Phase I project will investigate the potential of aqueous extracts produced from vermicomposts (termed `teas'), on the growth of tomatoes, and cucumbers in the greenhouse. It will also focus on the suppression of soil-borne plant diseases, plant parasitic nematodes and arthropod pests by soil drenches and foliar diseases by foliar applications of vermicompost `teas'.