Use of soil solarization to control root rots in gerberas (Gerbera jamesonii)

Summary An investigation was conducted during the summer months of 1986–1987 and 1987–1988 in Western Australia to evaluate the effect of soil solarization on the control of root rot of gerbera an also on the microbial and nutrient status of the soil. Infested soil cores were sampled from a site where root-rot was a severe problem and were removed to a non-infested site where they were subjected to soil solarization or fumigation. Soil solarization resulted in reduced root rot (root disease index 28.6%) in comparison to the untreated control (52.0%) 8 months after planting. Plants in the fumigated plots had 15.8% less disease than those in solarized plots. Solarization increased the total numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes, and the proportion of bacteria and fungi antogonistic to Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and Rhizoctonia solani. The proportion of actinomycetes antagonistic to these fungi, however, did not differ between solarized and control soil treatments. There was a significant reduction in disease in plants grown in infested fumigated soil to which a 10% concentration of solarized soil had been added, suggesting the development of microbial suppression in solarized soil. Phytophthora cryptogea was eradicated to 30 cm by solarization as well as by fumigation. Solarization eliminated R. solani but not F. oxysporum to a soil depth of 10 cm. Solarization increased the levels of NO _n3 ^– -N and NH₄ ⁺-N in soil, but did not affect the concentrations of PO₄ ^3–, K⁺, Fe²⁺, organic C and pH. Yield (as number of flowers per plant) was increased by soil solarization and by fumigation.Increased yields and decreased disease severity in the solarized plots could have been caused by (1) a reduction in the infectivity of the infested soils, (2) an increase in the suppressiveness of the soil, and (3) an increased available of plant nutrients.     

Interaction between a fungal plant disease,fungivorous nematodes and compost suppressiveness

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that the fungivorous nematodes Aphelenchoides spp. and Aphelenchus avenae can suppress damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani in cauliflower seedlings, and enhance the disease-suppressive effect of compost. In greenhouse experiments, we used two different composts mixed with peat (20% + 80%) and pure peat as growth substrates in growing pots. In each substrate, treatments were: (A) with R. solani and nematodes, (B) with R. solani, (C) with nematodes, (D) control without R. solani or nematodes. Treatment effects were measured as percentage of healthy seedlings 7, 10 and 14 days after start of the experiment. We conducted two different experiments with the treatments A–D; one with Aphelenchoides spp. and one with Aphelenchus avenae. Aphelenchoides spp.+R. solani (treatment A) had 85% healthy plants (= control without addition of fungi (D)) compared with 45% in R. solani without nematodes (B). Aphelenchus avenae suppressed damping-off significantly in all substrates, from almost 100% dead plants in peat with R. solani to 65% healthy plants in R. solani+A. avenae. One compost mixture had an intrinsic suppressive effect on damping-off, while plant health in the other compost mixture was not better than in 100% peat as growing substrate. There were no additive suppressive effects (enhancement) between nematode effects and the suppressive compost. The results demonstrate the ability of fungivorous nematodes to suppress plant diseases. The effects of fungivorous nematodes in combination with compost and other control measures on disease suppression need further attention. The usefulness of fungivorous nematodes in agriculture and horticulture is discussed.     

Microbial enrichment to enhance the disease suppressive activity of compost

Compost amended soil has been found to be suppressive against plant diseases in various cropping systems. The level and reproducibility of disease suppressive properties of compost might be increased by the addition of antagonists. In the present study, the establishment and suppressive activity of two fungal antagonists of soil-borne diseases was evaluated after their inoculation in potting soil and in compost produced from different types of organic waste and at different maturation stages. The fungal antagonists Verticillium biguttatum, a mycoparasite of Rhizoctonia solani, and a non-pathogenic isolate of Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic to fusarium wilt, survived at high levels (10³–10⁵ CFU g^–1) after 3 months incubation at room temperature in green waste compost and in potting soil. Their populations faded out in the organic household waste compost, especially in the matured product. In bioassays with R. solani on sugar beet and potato, the disease suppressiveness of compost increased or was similar after enrichment with V. biguttatum. The largest effects, however, were present in potting soil, which was very conducive for the disease as well as the antagonist. Similar results were found in the bioassay with F. oxysporum in carnation where enrichment with the antagonistic F. oxysporum had a positive or neutral effect. We foresee great potential for the application of antagonists in agriculture and horticulture through enrichment of compost or potting soil with antagonists or other beneficial micro-organisms.     

不同连作年限马铃薯根系分泌物的成分鉴定及其生物效应

为探讨马铃薯连作障碍的可能机理,在大田条件下,收集连作1～5 a(CP1-CP5)马铃薯植株的根系分泌物,采用GC-MS对根系分泌物的主要成分进行了鉴定,并通过生物检测验证了根系分泌物的生物效应。结果表明:CP1-CP5鉴定出的物质主要有酸类、糖类、胺类、醇类、酯类和嘧啶类,但各类物质的数量和含量不同。CP1-CP5中均鉴定出棕榈酸,相对含量分别为0.55%、0.87%、1.24%、1.05%和0.95%,浓度分别为7.12 mg×L~(-1)、7.39 mg×L~(-1)、9.46 mg×L~(-1)、8.38 mg×L~(-1)和8.02 mg×L~(-1)。马铃薯根系分泌物显著抑制了马铃薯的生长,抑制作用随连作年限延长而增强。棕榈酸对马铃薯生长的抑制表现出明显的浓度效应,随浓度升高而增强。马铃薯根系分泌物明显促进了立枯丝核菌的生长,菌落直径和菌丝鲜质量表现为CP3最高,CP1最低,CP2、CP4和CP5之间没有显著差异。棕榈酸明显促进了立枯丝核菌的生长,随着棕榈酸浓度的增加,菌落直径和菌丝鲜质量先增加再减小, 10 mg×L~(-1)棕榈酸的菌落直径和菌丝鲜质量最大。由此说明,随马铃薯连作年限延长,根系分泌物的毒性越强;马铃薯根系分泌物对立枯丝核菌的促进作用加剧了马铃薯的连作障碍,棕榈酸是马铃薯根系分泌的化感自毒物质。     

蜉金龟堆肥和自然堆肥类胡敏酸的表征及特性研究

分别用焦磷酸钠和氢氧化钠浸提新鲜牛粪、蜉金龟堆肥(APCM)和自然堆肥(腐熟牛粪)产物中的类胡敏酸,采用元素组成、红外光谱及差热分析研究了其结构特征。元素分析结果表明,蜉金龟堆肥焦磷酸钠浸提物——类胡敏酸(NaHLA)的芳香性低于新鲜牛粪和自然堆肥,而碳水化合物及氮元素含量增加。蜉金龟堆肥氢氧化钠浸提物——类胡敏酸(PAHLA)的碳水化合物和氮元素含量也高于新鲜牛粪和自然堆肥,而自然堆肥PAHLA的芳香性略低于新鲜牛粪和蜉金龟堆肥。红外光谱分析结果表明,与自然堆肥NaHLA相比,蜉金龟堆肥NaHLA中羧酸脂类化合物、酮类化合物、脂肪族化合物及碳水化合物有所增加。与新鲜牛粪PAHLA相比,蜉金龟堆肥和自然堆肥PAHLA的碳水化合物、脂肪族化合物、酚类化合物及纤维素酯类减少,同时蜉金龟堆肥PAHLA的酰胺化合物在蜉金龟消化过程中被其吸收。差热分析结果表明,自然堆肥NaHLA的热稳定性高于新鲜牛粪和蜉金龟堆肥,而蜉金龟堆肥NaHLA的脂族化合物、外围官能团和分子内部芳香结构含量较高,分子结构较复杂。蜉金龟堆肥PAHLA存在两个放热峰,而新鲜牛粪和自然堆肥的中温放热峰消失。综上,蜉金龟堆肥和自然堆肥采用两种提取液浸提出类胡敏酸的结构特征存在差异性。     

Soil suppressiveness and functional diversity of the soil microflora in organic farming systems

Arable fields of 10 organic farms from different locations in The Netherlands were sampled in three subsequent years. The soil samples were analysed for disease suppressiveness against Rhizoctonia solani AG2.2IIIB in sugar beet, Streptomyces scabies in radish and Verticillium longisporum in oilseed rape. In addition, a variety of microbial, chemical and physical soil characteristics were assessed. All data were correlated by multiple regression and multivariate analyses with the objective to find correlations between soil suppressiveness and biotic or abiotic soil characteristics. Significant differences in soil suppressiveness were found between the fields for all three diseases. Multiple regression indicated a significant correlation between suppressiveness against Rhizoctonia and the number of antagonistic Lysobacter spp., as well as with % active fungi and bacterial diversity. Grass-clover stimulated Rhizoctonia suppression as well as the presence of antagonistic Lysobacter spp. (mainly L. antibioticus and L. gummosus) in clay soils. Streptomyces suppression correlated with the number of antagonistic Streptomyces spp., % of active fungi and bacterial population size. The presence of antagonistic Streptomyces spp. correlated with a high fungal/bacterial biomass ratio. Verticillium suppression was only measured in 2004 and 2005, due to the inconsistent suppressiveness along the years. Nevertheless, a significant correlation with pH, potential nitrogen mineralization and bacterial biomass was found. Bacterial and fungal PCR-denaturing gel electrophoresis fingerprinting of bacterial and fungal communities, in general, did not significantly correlate with disease suppression. Highly significant explanatory factors of the composition of the dominating bacterial and fungal populations were % lutum, pH, C/N quotient, biomass and growth rate of bacteria. Additionally, the % of organic matter and years of organic farming were explaining significantly the composition of the bacterial population.Thus, significant correlations between several soil characteristics and suppressiveness of different soil-borne pathogens were found. For two of the three pathogens, suppression correlated with biotic soil characteristics combined with the presence of specific bacterial antagonists. Probably the soil suppressiveness measured in the organic fields is a combined effect of general and specific disease suppression.     

Ecoenzymes as Indicators of Compost to Suppress Rhizoctonia Solani

Reports of disease suppression by compost are inconsistent likely because there are no established standards for feedstock material, maturity age for application, and application rate. The overall goal of the study was to evaluate a suite of biological indicators for their ability to predict disease suppression. Indicators included both commercial available methods for compost stability (Solvita?, respiration) and metrics of soil ecology not yet adopted by the compost industry (e.g., ecoenzymes, nematode community index). Damping-off by Rhizoctonia solani on radish was chosen as a model system given its global importance, competitiveness affected by carbon quality, and lack of disease management options for organic production. Biological indicators were evaluated for their ability to consistently differentiate among curing process, maturity, and feedstock material as a function of disease severity of a seedling bioassay and a compost extract assay to test competition with R. solani growth. Compost processed as vermicompost and anaerobic digestate were more suppressive against R. solani than windrow or aerated static pile. Mature composts were more suppressive than immature components. Feedstocks containing dairy manure and/or hardwood bark tended to have suppressive qualities. In contrast, poultry manure-based components were conducive to disease. Microbial ecoenzymes active on chitin and cellulose and nematode community indices were better predictors of disease suppressiveness than microbial respiration. These indicators are quicker than plant bioassays and could be adopted as tools to certify commercial products.     

Soilless Growing Media Amended With Sugarcane Filtercake Compost for Citrus Rootstock Production

Seeds of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) and Cleopatra mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco) were sown in Speedling trays filled with mixtures (v:v) of 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 percent sugarcane filtercake compost (a natural waste by-product of sugarcane processing mills; bagasse) and a peat-lite medium. Seeds sown in 100 percent compost resulted in lower total percent germination, but similar mean days to emergence (MDE), seedling heights, and shoot weights and lower root weights than the control (100 percent peat-lite medium). Media amended with 25, 50 or 75 percent compost resulted in similar total percent emergence, (MDE) and root weights, but taller seedlings with heavier shoots than the control. SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter readings, and leaf N, Ca and Zn contents were higher for seedlings produced in compost amended media than in 100 percent peat-lite medium. The results suggest that compost derived from sugarcane filtercake can be successfully utilized as an amended medium for citrus seedling rootstock production.     

Influence of Azolla (Azolla microphylla Kaulf.) compost on biogenic gas production,inorganic nitrogen and growth of upland kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) in a silt loam soil

Azolla microphylla Kaulf. (Azolla) biomass was composted to create a high nitrogen (N) organic matter amendment (Azolla compost). We examined the effect of this Azolla compost on carbon (C) and N mineralization and the production of biogenic gases, nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), in a soil incubation experiment. A pot experiment with upland kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) examined plant growth in silt loam soil treated with three levels of Azolla compost. The results showed that N₂O production from soil increased with urea amendment, but not with Azolla compost treatments. The Azolla-amended soil showed enhanced CO₂ production throughout the 4-week incubation. The Azolla-treated soils showed a 98% lower global warming potential compared to urea treatment over the 4-week incubation. However, Azolla-amended soil had higher nitrate (NO₃^–) levels compared to urea-fertilized soil at 1 week of incubation, and these were maintained until the fourth week. Soils amended with Azolla compost showed lower ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) levels than those in the urea-fertilized soils. The height and dry weight of upland kangkong fertilized with Azolla compost were similar to plants receiving urea fertilization. Therefore, the use of Azolla compost as a substitute for urea fertilizer would be beneficial for reducing the production of N₂O while maintaining plant growth.     

Biological control of Rhizoctonia sp. root rot of Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings by Frankia spp. strains

Seventy Frankia spp. strains (nodulating N₂-fixing actinomycetes) were isolated from root nodules of Casuarina equisetifolia from different localities of Tamil Nadu state, India. From these, four strains (UMCe12, UMCe23, UMCe35, and UMce55) were selected. Their potential use as biological control agents for Rhizoctonia solani root rot disease of C. equisetifolia seedlings and their relative efficiency in nodule production were investigated. Between the two inoculum broadcast systems tested, seed-coating with Frankia spp. cell suspension was superior to the soil application of cells as sand-vermiculite-basal ammonium propionate inoculum. UMCe12 was the promising strain, offering the highest level of disease protection (81.1%) and nodule production (88.1%) in the R. solani-infested soil, followed by UMCe23 (60.3 and 65.5% of disease protection and nodule production, respectively), UMCe55 (53.5 and 58.2%), and UMCe35 (45.4 and 44.5%). Further, a significant positive correlation was observed between the dose of Frankia spp. and efficiency in both disease control and nodule production.     

Compost Effect on Greenhouse Cucumbers and Suppression of Plant Pathogen Fusarium Oxysporum

Three windrows were constructed from a mixture of horse manure and soiled bedding collected from four equestrian centres in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, where stables were bedded with hemlock, spruce, and fir wood shavings. Composting was accomplished by turning the windrows twice a week during the first four weeks and once a week for eight additional weeks. At the end of 12- week composting period, windrows were combined and allowed to cure for three months. The cured compost was tested for the ability to promote cucumber (cv Enigma) seedling growth, supply micronutrients, and suppress mycelial growth of plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis cucumerinum (FORC). The heights and dry weights of cucumber seedlings grown in 20% compost in sawdust were significantly greater than those grown in sawdust alone. When fed with nutrient solutions lacking micronutrients, seedling grown in 20% compost gave significantly greater height, dry weight, and chlorophyll concentrations compared to seedlings grown in sawdust alone. The analysis of extractable micronutrients indicated that manganese, followed by zinc and boron, were the predominant micronutrients in horse manure compost. Both iron and molybdenum concentrations were present in less than one ppm and copper was present just above one ppm. There was a significant correlation (r² = 0.83) between in vivo chlorophyll measurements by SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter and the in vitro chlorophyll measurement by spectrophotometer. Thus in vivo measurements of SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter can be used to assess nutrient availability from compost to cucumber seedlings. Horse manure compost also contained bacteria that suppressed mycelial growth of FORC.     

Crop nitrogen recovery and soil nitrogen dynamics in a 10‐year field experiment with biowaste compost

When fertilizing with compost, the fate of the nitrogen applied via compost (mineralization, plant uptake, leaching, soil accumulation) is relevant both from a plant‐production and an environmental point of view. In a 10‐year crop‐rotation field experiment with biowaste‐compost application rates of 9, 16, and 23 t ha^–1 y^–1 (f. m.), the N recovery by crops was 7%, 4%, and 3% of the total N applied via compost. Due to the high inherent fertility of the site, N recovery from mineral fertilizer was also low. In the minerally fertilized treatments, which received 25, 40, and 56 kg N ha^–1 y^–1 on average, N recovery from mineral fertilizer was 15%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. Although total N loads in the compost treatments were much higher than the N loads applied with mineral fertilizer (89–225 kg N_tot ha^–1 y^–1 vs. 25–56 kg N_tot ha^–1 y^–1; both on a 10‐year mean) and the N recovery was lower than in the treatments receiving mineral N fertilizer, soil NO ‐N contents measured three times a year (spring, post‐harvest, autumn) showed no higher increase through compost fertilization than through mineral fertilization at the rates applied in the experiment. Soil contents of N_org and C_org in the plowed layer (0–30 cm depth) increased significantly with compost fertilization, while with mineral fertilization, N_org contents were not significantly higher. Taking into account the decrease in soil N_org contents in the unfertilized control during the 10 years of the experiment, 16 t compost (f. m.) ha^–1 y^–1 just sufficed to keep the N_org content of the soil at the initial level.     

土壤对镉的吸附与解吸——Ⅱ.吸附势与解吸势

本文提出了吸附势(logK_a)和解吸势(logK_d或相对解吸势logK_dr)两个有关吸附和解吸的强度概念,并进行了理论推导和实验验证。logK_a和logK_d或logK_dr是影响土壤或胶体吸附和解吸因素的综合反应。实验证实logK_a可用于表征土壤胶体对Cd的相对选择性,并且对胶体吸附Cd有着良好的预测性;logK_dr可用于表征土壤胶体对Cd的相对固定能力,并可用于估测Cd的污染程度。盆栽试验表明,随着土壤胶体logK_a的增加,或logK_dr的降低,稻草或糙米中Cd的含量下降。可以预期,吸附势和解吸势不但在土壤物理化学,土壤环境化学研究中,而且在植物营养化学、水化学、以及界面化学等方面有可能获得实际应用。     

Growth of Rudbeckia and Leaching of Nitrates in Potting Media Amended with Composted Coffee Processing Residue,Municipal Solid Waste and Sewage Sludge

Composts made from coffee processing residue (CFPR), source separated municipal solid waste (MSW), sewage sludge and wood chips (SSWC), and sewage sludge, wood ash, wood chips and leaves (SSACL) were examined as replacements for the peat, perlite and sand found in a conventional potting medium. The perennial flower Rudbeckia hirta L. ‘Goldilocks’ (Black-Eyed Susan) was grown in media composed of 0, 10, 25, 50, 80, and 100 (percent by vol) of each compost. Leachate from media containing 0, 25, 50, and 100% compost was tested for NO₃-N and NH₃-N + NH₄-N to determine if compost would increase the potential for potting media to be a source of nitrate in surface and ground water. The effects of two mid season applications of liquid fertilizer on plant growth and nitrogen leaching were also examined.

Compared to a conventional medium without compost, differences in the growth of Rudbeckia in media with compost were few. Statistically significant decreases in growth occurred in media containing 80 and 100% CFPR, and 80% SSACL. None of the composts caused a statistically significant increase in growth. Leaching of nitrogen increased from media containing 100% CFPR, SSWC and SSACL compared to the medium with no compost. Media containing 25, 50, and 100% MSW leached less N the conventional medium. Liquid fertilizer did not significantly change the growth of Rudbeckia or the amount of nitrogen found in the leachate from any medium.     

Decomposition of peat,biogenic municipal waste compost,and shrub/grass compost added in different rates to a silt loam

An incubation experiment was carried out to test the effects of biogenic municipal waste (compost I) and shrub/grass (compost II) composts in comparison to peat on respiration and microbial biomass in soil. The amounts of these three substrates added were linearly increased in the range of field application rates (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%). The sum of CO₂ evolved during the incubation was markedly raised by the three substrates and increased with the rate of substrate concentration. However, the percentage of substrate mineralized to CO₂ decreased with the addition rate from 103 to 56% for compost I, from 81 to 56% for compost II, and from 21 to 8% for peat. During the first 25 days of incubation, compost I enlarged the biomass C content, which remained constant until the end. In contrast, compost II did not raise biomass C initially. But at the end of the incubation, the biomass C content of all 4 compost II treatments almost reached the level of the respective compost I treatment. The increase was significantly larger the more of the two composts was added. In contrast to the two composts, the addition of peat did not have any significant effect on microbial biomass C. The average qCO₂ values at day 25 declined in the order compost I > compost II > peat, at day 92 the order was changed to compost II > peat > compost 1. This change in the order was caused by a significant decrease in qCO₂ values of the compost I treatments, a significant increase in qCO₂ values of the peat treatments and constant qCO₂ values in the compost II treatments.     

Influence of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the solubilization of phosphates

A range of low-molecular-weight organic acids were identified in rhizosphere soil, leaf litter, and poultry manure compost. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to examine the effects of seven low-molecular-weight organic acids on phosphate adsorption by soils, and the solubilization and plant uptake of P from soil pre-incubated with monocalcium phosphate and North Carolina phosphate rock. Acetic, formic, lactic (monocarboxylic), malic, tartaric, oxalic (dicarboxylic), and citric (tricarboxylic) acids were used in the study. The addition of organic acids decreased the adsorption of P by soils in the order tricarboxylic acid>dicarboxylic acid>monocarboxylic acid. The decreases in P adsorption with organic acid addition increased with an increase in the stability constant of the organic acid for Al (logK _Al). Organic acids extracted greater amounts of P from soils meubated with both monocalcium phosphate and phosphate rock than water did. Although more phosphate was extracted by the organic acids from monocalcium phosphate — than from phosphate rock — treated soils in absolute terms, when the results were expressed as a percentage of dissolved phosphate there was little difference between the two fertilizers. The amount of P extracted by the organic acids from both fertilizers increased with an increase in logK _Al values. The addition of oxalic and citric acids increased the dry matter yield of ryegrass and the uptake of P in soils treated with both fertilizers. The agronomic effectiveness of both fertilizers increased in the presence of organic acids and the increase was greater with the phosphate rock than with the monocalcium phosphate. The results indicated that organic acids increase the availability of P in soils mainly through both decreased adsorption of P and increased solubilization of P compounds.     

Effects of Compost Sources and Seeding Treatments on Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species

Greenhouse pot trials were conducted to compare the effects of compost sources and planting treatments on turfgrass germination and emergence. Eight seeding treatments and 4 turfgrass types were factorially combined and replicated four times in a completely randomized block design. The seeding treatments were: 1) seed planted on surface of 2.6 cm compost overlying soil, 2) seed planted on soil surface below 0.65 cm compost, 3) seed planted on soil surface below 1.3 cm compost, 4) seed planted on soil surface below 2.6 cm compost, 5) seed planted on soil surface covered with a 2.6 cm straw mat, 6) seed planted below 1.3 cm soil, 7) seed planted below 1.3 cm of 1:1 compost:soil mix, and 8) seed planted on soil surface. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) were used as the bioassay crops. The experimental design was repeated over time using composts produced with the following feedstocks: yard waste, food waste, dairy manure, biosolids, and paper mill sludge. Emerged seedlings were counted at 11 days for tall fescue, at 3 weeks for Kentucky bluegrass and at 7 weeks for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. There were significant (P<0.05) effects of seeding treatment x turfgrass type on germination and emergence for each compost type. All of the composts appeared to be well stabilized using routine compost laboratory testing except the biosolids compost, whose use resulted in the lowest overall germination and emergence rate. The highest rates of germination and emergence occurred in the treatments in which the seeds were planted on the surface, regardless of whether the surface was compost or soil. The lowest rate of germination and emergence occurred where the seed was placed under 2.6 cm compost, regardless of compost maturity.     

Toxicity Evaluation of Weathered Coal Fly Ash–Amended Manure Compost

The general use of manure compost is limited by its residualtoxicity, and hence a study was performed to evaluate the use ofweathered coal fly ash (lagoon ash) to alleviate the toxicity ofmanure compost. Mature and immature manure compost were amendedwith lagoon ash at 0, 5, 10 and 20% (w/w dry weight basis), andtheir phyto-toxicity was evaluated by germination and root lengthgrowth of lettuce seed. The immature manure compost hadsignificantly higher contents of NH₄-N, PO₄-P, andacid- and water-extractable Cu and Zn contents than those of mature manure compost. Ash amendment caused asignificant increase in electrical conductivity (EC), but adecrease in NH₄-N, PO₄-P, and DTPA-, CaCl₂- andwater-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents of both manurecompost. Addition of lagoon ash at a rate of 5% for immaturemanure compost and 10% for mature manure compost resulted in ahigher seed germination rate and root length growth. Thegermination index demonstrated significant negative correlationswith EC, NH₄-N and DTPA extractable Cd, Cu, Pb and Zncontents. The present study supports the use of lagoon ash foramending manure compost to reduce the availability of traceelements and NH₄-N.     

Reduction in dose of chemical fertilizers and growth enhancement of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) with application of rhizospheric competent Pseudomonas aeruginosa LES4

Pseudomonas aeruginosa LES4, an isolate of tomato rhizosphere was found to be positive for several plant growth-promoting attributes like production of indole acetic acid, HCN and siderophore, solubilization of inorganic phosphate along with urease, chitinase and β-1-3-glucanase activity. In addition, it showed strong antagonistic effect against Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. P. aeruginosa LES4 caused halo cell formation and other morphological deformities in mycelia of M. phaseolina and F. oxysporum. Root colonization was studied with Tn5 induced streptomycin resistant transconjugants of spontaneous tetracycline-resistant LES4 (designated LES4^tetra+strep+) after different durations. The strain was significantly rhizospheric competent, as 17.4% increase in its population was recorded in sesame rhizosphere. Seed bacterization with LES4 resulted in significant increase in vegetative growth parameters and yield of sesame over non-bacterized seeds. However, application of LES4 with half dose of fertilizers resulted in growth equivalent to full dose treatment, without compromising with the growth and yield of sesame. Moreover, the oil yield increased by 33.3%, while protein yield increased by 47.5% with treatment of half dose of fertilizer along with LES 4 bacterized seeds, as compared to full dose of fertilizers.     

Applying Leaf Compost to Reduce Fertilizer Use In Tomato Production

For two consecutive years, one-inch (50 T/A) of leaf compost was applied to plots on a sandy terrace soil (Windsor, Connecticut) and a loamy upland soil (Mt. Carmel, Connecticut). These compost-amended plots were fertilized with 10-10-10 (N-P₂O_5-K₂O) at three rates: 0, 650 (half), 1300 (full) lb/A and cottonseed meal at a rate of 2166 lb/A. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) yield from compost-amended plots were compared to yield from unamended control plots fertilized with 1300 lb 10-10-10/A. In both years, at both sites, plots only amended with compost had yields equivalent to the fertilized control plots. In both years, the greatest yields at Mt. Carmel were from plots amended with compost and the full rate of inorganic fertilizer. In the second year, yields from compost-amended plots fertilized at half the rate were equivalent to compost-amended plots fertilized at full rate. The yields from the organic plots were similar to the control plots the first year and to plots amended with compost and half the rate of fertilizer the second year. At Windsor, the greatest yields for both years were from plots amended with compost and the full rate of fertilizer. The compost-amended plots fertilized with cottonseed meal produced the lowest yields, both years. Cumulative effects of compost on soils were measured by increases in pH and organic matter percentage at both sites. Tomato fruit in plots amended with compost and no fertilizer developed less blossom-end rot than fruit in all other treatments.