Aerobic compost tea, compost and a combination of both reduce the severity of common scab (Streptomyces scabiei) on potato tubers.

摘要

A field experiment was conducted in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada to study the efficacy of compost tea and compost on reduction of tuber diseases in potato. A randomized complete block design replicated four times was established in a commercial field setting with four treatments (control, compost, compost tea and compost+compost tea). Tubers were assessed for disease severity, tuber number, tuber weight, defects and total yield. Treatment of potato plants with compost, compost tea or a combination of compost+compost tea significantly reduced the severity of common scab tuber disease by 81, 42 and 81%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Treatments were ineffective against the potato tuber diseases fusarium dry rot, black scurf and silver scurf. Potato plants treated with compost tea and a combination of compost + compost tea produced higher yield compared to all other treatments. However, the number and weight of knobby tubers were significantly higher in compost tea treatment and significantly lower in the combined treatment of both compost+compost tea compared to other treatments. This is the first study to report on the effect of compost and compost tea against common scab of potatoes.