Re: [compost_tea] Re: Tea and EPA regulations

From: WILLIAM GARLETTE <WILLIAM.GARLETTE_at_cox.net>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 06:31:19 -0400

Elaine et al,
    Is there a collection of field test data on the various controls of CT?=
  Any test with controls to show control of one pathogen or another? I'm a=
s interested in the work that's been done and the procedure as well as the =
results. Method, replication, etc will help me explain what scientific wor=
k has been completed and give me insight has to successful and unsuccessful=
 avenues. The scientific community, even those who don't have all the answ=
ers for their focus, is quick to marginalize the work completed and potenti=
al of CT research and use. I love information, knowledge and debate but no=
t cynicism and negativity. I have found the best way to deal with the latt=
er is to have current trends and data along with the admission that this is=
 (to quote a commercial) emerging science. Thanks for any insights.

Bill Garlette
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: soilfoodweb_at_aol.com
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Cc: info_at_soilfoodweb.com ; soilfoodwebinst_at_aol.com ; soilfoodwebny_at_aol.co=
m
  Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 2:14 AM
  Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Re: Tea and EPA regulations


  A fungicide is a chemical that kills a fungus using a specific mode of ki=
lling action, such as solubilizing the cell membrane, or interfering with c=
ell elongation, or disrupting a metabolic function.

  Compost tea does not function in these ways. Or at least we do not have =
any evidence that tea has these modes of function.

  Compost tea results in protection of the leaf surface by using the food =
resources that the mildew would otherwise have and be able to grow on (the =
beneficial fungi in the tea use the foods; the beneficials are better adapt=
ed to use the foods than midlew under the conditions on the leaf surfaces, =
specifically good aeration, specific foods made by the plant to select for =
the beneficials and not the mildew).

  Another mechanism is that the leaf or root surface is now covered by rapi=
dly growing fungi and bacteria which prevent the disease fungus from gettin=
g to the leaf surface. All the infection sites are occupied by the benefic=
ials, so there is no way the disease can get to the plant cells.

  Protozoa and nematodes consume disease-causing fungi. If the EPA wants t=
o make us register this interaction, then they will have to register cats a=
s biocides to control mice. Predation is generally considered a physical c=
ontrol method, and not something that is under EPA jurisdication. We are n=
ot growing ONE specific species to CONTROL a different species, unlike peop=
le a biological pesticide.

  Antibiotics may be produced in tea, but there is no evidence that this is=
 a mechanism by which tea works. So no one should use that as a potential =
mechanism by which tea performs it's function.

  There is nothing toxic about tea.

  There is a great of protection, competition, competitive exclusion, and c=
onsumption. But no specific one-on-one control.

  Compost tea is not a fungicide. DO NOT MAKE ANY CLAIMS THAT IT IS.

  --
  Elaine Ingham
  President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
  SFI Corvallis, OR
  SFI Port Jefferson, NY
  SFI Lismore, NSW, Australia
  SFI Hilversum, The Netherlands
  SFI Cambridge, New Zealand
  www.soilfoodweb.com


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Received on Tue Aug 26 2003 - 12:11:07 EDT

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