Effects of Composted Municipal Sludge on Soilborne Plant Pathogens

摘要

The effect of composted municipal sludge (CMS) on soilborne plant pathogens was evaluated in three sets of experiments. Studies with soybeans over three growing seasons investigated the effect of CMS on root rot severity and yield in Phytophthora-infested soil, the effect of application timing, and the residual effects of CMS applied during the previous season. Suppression of Rhizoctonia and Pythium diseases in ornamental plants by use of CMS-amended container media was studied along with the effects on disease suppression by compost curing and storage of formulated container media. A third study of bacterial antagonists' interactions with Trichoderma hamatum in suppression of Pythium and Rhizoctonia damping-off in sludge- and bark-compost container media included study of population development of several of the bacterial substrates.