Re: [compost_tea] White fungus in compost

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 13:56:38 EDT

Take a close look at the white area in the compost pile. Can you see white
strands?

If what you are looking at is really beneficial fungi, you want to be able to
see long threads, a half inch or more long. The white ash-like material,
where you cannot see strands, are more likely actinomycetes, more properly called
actinobacteria.

These are fine for asparagus, broccoli, kale or cole crops.

They are probably neutral or somewhat beneficial for potato, tomato, carrot,
cut flowers, beans, peas, etc.

They appear to be actively detrimental for any row crop, like corn, soybean,
wheat, barley, and for any fungal-dominated plant. For the most part,
actinobacteria compete with and win against mycorrhizal fungi, preventing
colonization of the root system if the actinobacteria are in high numbers (see Rose, et
al, about 1987 in New Phytologist, and Ames and Ingham, about 1984, in oh darn,
I don't remember, check my CV on my website).

Without beneficial fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, row crops will then
require inorganic fertilizer and pesticides in order to produce a decent yield.
 

When you pick up the compost, do the strands of white material hold a whole
bunch of the compost materials together? If yes, you are likely growing the
good guys. If no, then you are more likely growing the actinobacteria or
not-so-wonderful fungi.

What to do if you are dealing with the not-so-wonderful for the plant you
want to grow strands?

Turn the pile. Mix the areas where you ahve the not-so-wonderfuls growing.
Give another set of fungi a chance at becoming dominant. Add more beneficial
fungal foods, like fish hydrolysate, and humic acids.

OK?

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
Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa







Received on Wed Oct 27 2004 - 15:05:26 EDT

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