Re: [compost_tea] sugar locking up N

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 17:33:21 EDT

If you read the foods section in the Compost Tea Brewing Manual, it is clear
about molassess being minaly a BACTERIAL food.

The section about molasses being added and getting higher fungal biomass is
when you add SO MUCH molasses that the high sugar content prevents bacterial
growth, and thus helps fungi grow.

Be aware of the concentration thing. At high concentrations, sugar will
prevent bacterial growth, and only fungi can survive or grow. But that
concentration has to be REALLY high. The tea has to be like syrup...... not fun to
spray out. So, not really suitable for most operations. But still something you
need to understand.

Molasses is a bacterial food, when in low concentrations (less than 50% of
brew volume). AND it causes rapid bacterial growth which will use up oxygen
rapidly, and suck up all your nitrogen. This suck-up phase lasts until the
protozoa come up, and start to increase nitrogen cycling again. So, you need to
make certain that your tea has plenty of protoza as well as fungi and bacteria.

OK? Did I explain so it is clear? Please ask more questions if you need.

Elaine R. Ingham
Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
Soil Foodweb Inc., Port Jefferson, New York
Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
Soil Foodweb Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
Soil Foodweb Inc., Oosterbeck, The Netherlands
Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa




Received on Mon Sep 20 2004 - 18:24:13 EDT

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