Luis Brenes
National Organic Agriculture Association
Costa Rica
PO Box 132 - 2020, COSTA RICA
ph-fax 506 2240911
On Tue, 12 Mar 1996, Patrick Madden wrote:
> Are there any good scientific studies on the disease
> suppressiveness of soils treated with compost? I have seen only a
> few, and wonder if much more literature is out there.
>
> Clearly not all compost is "created equal." Studies on this
> subject would have to take account of the many properties of the
> compost, when and how it is applied, to what kind of soil, for
> what kinds of crops, in what climate and growing conditions etc.
> etc. The studies I have seen so far have been encouraging, but
> not comprehensive.
>
> With more and more urban "green waste" going into compost, there
> will be a major expansion in supply. Demand will be strongly
> influenced by user perceptions of the impacts, including disease
> repressiveness, soil tilth, water holding capacity, etc. and both
> short-term and long-term effects on yields. Clear thinking and
> solid data are needed to head off wrong expectations, and to
> provide growers with factual basis for informed choice. WSAA
> would like to help disseminate the results of good studies in this
> important area.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Patrick Madden, World Sustainable Agriculture Association
>
> March 12, 1996
>