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Antiphytopathogenic properties of biogenic waste compost
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 27 (1989) 477-482
477
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands
Antiphytopathogenic Properties of Biogenic Waste Compost C. SCHUELER, J. BIALA and H. VOGTMANN
Gesamthochschule Kassel, Division of Alternative Agricultural Methods, Witzenhausen (F.R.G.) (Accepted for publication 19 April 1989 )
ABSTRACT Schueler, C., Biala, J. and Vogtmann, H., 1989. Antiphytopathogenic properties of biogenic waste compost. Agric. Ecosystems. Environ., 27: 477-482. In a pot experiment under controlled environmental conditions, composted organic household wastes showed a suppression of soil-borne plant pathogens. The addition of 10-30% compost to the potting material (which was artificially infected with Pythium ultimum (Trow) or Rhizoctonia solani (Ktihn) considerably reduced the incidence of disease in different varieties of host plants. In an experiment using increasing levels of inoculum, the compost proved suppressive even under extreme disease conditions. This suppressive effect was still evident in compost which had been stored for prolonged periods.
INTRODUCTION
The use of compost in the control of plant pathogens was already known and practiced in the early stages of agriculture, especially in China {Cook and Baker, 1983 ). However, it was only after 1945, that the study of the mode of action of compost started, especially against soil-borne plant pathogens. Nevertheless, during the 1960s and 1970s increased intensification and specialization in agriculture were accompanied by a sharp decline in the research on composts. Only recently (after discovering the suppressiveness of certain bark composts against some soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi), has interest grown in putting these plant-protecting properties of composts into action (Hoitink and Fahy, 1986). At the Division of Alternative Agricultural Methods, research into the degree of suppressiveness obtainable from composts originating from various raw materials, is under way. Special emphasis has been placed on composts originating from separately collected organic household wastes, so called biogenic waste compost (BWC). The first results of this research are presented here. 0167-8809/89/$03.50
© 1989 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
478 MATERIALS AND METHODS
The chosen trial system was easy to handle under laboratory conditions but still retained importance for practical agriculture and horticulture. This system was made up of a common soil-borne plant pathogen (Pythium ultimum (Trow)) and various host plants (Lumbsden et al., 1983). In order to eliminate the effects of any undesirable outside interferences, the tests were conducted in the form of "pot-trials" under controlled environmental conditions in growth chambers. The substrates consisted basically of sterilized sand which was amended with 8, 10 or 30% (v/v) compost (equaling 4.10, 5.12 and 15.37% on a weight basis, in the case of BWC and equaling 3.76% (w/w) and 7.75% (w/w), in the case of compost originating from bark and cattle manure, respectively, where 8% (v/v) were incorporated) and inoculated with a small amount (0.1 ml) of an infection mixture (wheatflour:sand:soil exposed to penetration by the pathogen for a 2-week period). The treatments without compost received adequate nutrients in the form of finely ground mineral fertilizers. Since fresh matter yields correlated closely with dry matter yields and produced identical results, effects were measured by means of fresh matter evaluation. Every trial was run with 5 replicates and the results were analysed using Duncan's multiple range test and analysis of variance. All presented figures showing treatments with inoculation and without compost amendment differ at least significantly. RESULTS
In Fig. 1 the suppressiveness of BWC towards P. ultimum was compared with that of compost originating from bark and cattle manure. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva) which reacts to infection with a reduced rate of emergence, were used as host plants. Treatments without infection showed rates of emergence in the range 75-85%. Inoculation of the sand reduced the rate of emerging plants to 30%, whereas when the sand was amended with compost, between 55 and 70% of the seeds emerged as plants. In this experiment, BWC proved to be superior to other composts tested. In a further trial, which was conducted solely with BWC, the effect of the following changes was ascertained: (1) a different parasite/host combination; (2) differing volumes of compost amendments; (3) delaying the sowing date after infection and compost amendment. In this trial (Fig. 2), the above-ground yields (expressed as fresh matters) of Phaseolus vulgaris were evaluated 2 weeks after emergence. Fresh-matter values of the non-infected compost-free treatments at each sowing date represent 100%. When inoculum was added to compost-free substrates, freshmatter yields amounted to only 20-40% of the yield obtained in the control. The addition of compost to the substrates always resulted in fresh matter val-
479 100 [--]noninf~ted
gO
%
a
a
80
[]infected ab
70
ab
60
b
50 40 ,30 20 10 0
I
I
free
biogenic w a s t e
c a t t l e manure
bark
composts (8I v/v)
* columns with the same letter are statistically not different (Duncan-test, p = 0.05)
Fig. 1. Rates of emergence of beetroot after infection with P. ultimum and addition of various composts (in percentage to planted seeds).
b
120
b
b
infection + co(apost
b*
[] 0.0~ + O~
100
[] O.If~+ O~
%
[] O.l~+ lO~
80
[] 0.I~+ 30~ 60
40 a
20
IIIIIlll simultaneous
' date
* coluees with the same l e t t e r are s t a t i s t i c a l l y (Duncan-test,
by 7 days
delayed of
I delayed
by 30 days
sowing
not different
p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 2. Effect of biogenic waste compost on beans, infected with P. ultimum at different sowing times (fresh matter in percentage to control).
ues comparable with those obtained with non-infected sand. When sowing, inoculation and the addition of compost were all performed simultaneously, the development of fresh matter was substantially more than that produced from non-inoculated sand. In summary, there was no obvious decline in the effectiveness of the suppressive action of the compost tested, neither with the change of host plants nor with delayed sowing or differing amounts of compost amendments.
480
In Fig. 3 we have reported the results of a trial using varying levels of infection, conducted in order to show the limits of the suppressiveness of BWC. This time, peas were used as host plants. Pythium ultimum was added at 3 levels, representing moderate, medium and extreme inoculum potentials. Compost was added as in the previous experiment in amounts of 10 and 30%
(v/v). The parameter used for evaluation was once again fresh-matter yield. The value of non-infected sand represented 100% and the other values were expressed as relative figures. Where no infection took place, compost amended 120 e
e*
e
e
o/o100 ~
e
~
so
lllllllm ~
60
IIH
j
~_~f~
de
[]
without compost
F-]
10%Comp°st (v/v)
[]
30%
compost (v/v)
~S
a
20
~
0
4 O,O
0.02
0.1
0,5
infection material added (promille) * coI ummswith the some l e t t e r are statistically not d i f f e r e n t (Duncan-test, p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 3. Effect of biogenicwaste compost on peasat three inoculumlevels of P. ultimum (fresh matter in percentageto control).
C
b*
TL'j
I
infection+ compost [] o.oz. + 0 %
%
80
[ ] 0.2%. + 0 %
7o
[] 0.2~ + 10%
a
6o
[] 0.2~ + 30%
50
I
40
A
30 20
10 0 simultaneous
delayed
date of * columns w i t h the s~me l e t t e r
by
7 clays
sowing
are s t a t i s t i c a l l y
not d i f f e r e n t
(Duncan-test, p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 4. Effect of biogenic waste compost on peas, infected with R. solani at different sowing times ( f r e s h m a t t e r in percentage to control ).
481 treatments performed better than those in fertilized sand. The lowest level of infection (0.02 ml 1-1) reduced fresh matter by 80% in the case of fertilized sand. This was owing to a reduced rate of emergence as well as a reduced growth rate of the remaining plants. If compost was added, this infection level was no longer able to reduce fresh matter values below the figures obtained for noninfected sand. At the medium infection level a further reduction in fresh matter yield was observed in substrates without compost. The addition of compost to the substrates no longer provided complete protection of the plants but fresh matter values were still in the range 60-80% of the yield of the fertilized sand. Under conditions representing extreme infection, not a single plant emerged from the sand substrates. Nevertheless, when compost was added to the substrates in amounts of 10 and 30% the fresh matter values were 20 and 40% of the yield of the fertilized sand, respectively. This shows that even under extreme disease conditions the compost retains its suppressiveness. Finally, the suppressive effect of BWC towards a further soil-borne plant pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani (Kiihn)) has been tested (Fig. 4). The lay-out of the experiment basically remained as described for the previous trials. Once again peas were used as host plants and fresh matter yields were expressed in relation to those yields of compost-free non-infected substrates. When seeds were planted 7 days after the infection with an addition of compost, the amendment with compost clearly increased fresh-matter yields. The infection of compost-free sand resulted in a reduction of fresh-matter yield by roughly 60%. Where 10% and 30% compost was added to the substrates, fresh matter yields accounted for 60% and 80%, respectively. Comparable results were obtained when sowing was performed simultaneously with the addition of compost and inoculum. In this case the treatments containing 30% compost did not perform quite as well as expected. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, it can be said that our tests showed that BWC was able to provide a certain degree of plant protection against soil-borne plant pathogens. The actual mode of action of the suppressiveness of BWC has not yet been uncovered. However, workers with other suppressive composts suggest that antagonists (e.g. Trichoderma spp., Gliocladium spp.) play a major role {Nelson and Hoitink, 1983; Kuter et al., 1983) but at the same time the importance of undefined factors {Nelson et al., 1983 ) and the possibility that the suppressive mechanism changes from chemical to biotic during the aging process (Hoitink and Kuter, 1986) should not be dismissed. Nevertheless, the aim of further investigations at our institute will be the uncovering of further plantprotecting properties of composts. Special emphasis will be placed on composted farmyard manure and biogenic wastes as the use of such materials represents a major requirement in the prevention of plant diseases within organic
482
farming methods (Parr et al., 1986). The successful use of composted farmyard manure in controlling plant pathogens under practical farming conditions may also lead to a reduced application of pesticides in conventional farming.
REFERENCES Cook, R.J. and Baker, K.F., 1983. The nature and practice of biological control of plant pathogens. Am. Phytopathol. Soc., St. Paul, MN, 540 pp. Hoitink, H.A.J. and Fahy, P.C., 1986. Basis for the control of soil-borne plant pathogens with composts. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol., 24: 93-124. Hoitink, H.A.J. and Kuter, G.A., 1986. Effects of composts in growth media on soilborne pathogens. In: Y. Chen and Y. Arnimelech, (Editors). The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp. 289-306. Kuter, G.A., Nelson, E.B., Hoitink, H.A.J. and Madden, L.V., 1983. Fungal populations in container media amended with composted hardwood bark suppressive and conducive to Rhizoctonia damping-off. Phytopathology, 73: 1450-1456. Lumbsden, R.D., Lewis, J.A. and Millner, P.D., 1983. Effect of composed sewage sludge on several soilborne pathogens and diseases. Phytopathology, 73: 1543-1548. Nelson, E.B. and Hoitink, H.A.J., 1983. The role of microorganisms in the suppression of Rhizoctonia solani in container media amended with composted hardwood bark. Phytopathology, 73: 274-278. Nelson, E.B., Kuter, G.A. and Hoitink, H.A.J., 1983. Effects of fungal antagonists and compost age on suppression of Rhizoctonia damping-off in container media amended with composted hardwood bark. Phytopathology, 73:1457 - 1462. Parr, J.F., Papendick, R.J. and Colacicco, D., 1986. Recycling of Organic Wastes for a Sustainable Agriculture. Biol. Agric. Hort., 3: 115-130.
477
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands
Antiphytopathogenic Properties of Biogenic Waste Compost C. SCHUELER, J. BIALA and H. VOGTMANN
Gesamthochschule Kassel, Division of Alternative Agricultural Methods, Witzenhausen (F.R.G.) (Accepted for publication 19 April 1989 )
ABSTRACT Schueler, C., Biala, J. and Vogtmann, H., 1989. Antiphytopathogenic properties of biogenic waste compost. Agric. Ecosystems. Environ., 27: 477-482. In a pot experiment under controlled environmental conditions, composted organic household wastes showed a suppression of soil-borne plant pathogens. The addition of 10-30% compost to the potting material (which was artificially infected with Pythium ultimum (Trow) or Rhizoctonia solani (Ktihn) considerably reduced the incidence of disease in different varieties of host plants. In an experiment using increasing levels of inoculum, the compost proved suppressive even under extreme disease conditions. This suppressive effect was still evident in compost which had been stored for prolonged periods.
INTRODUCTION
The use of compost in the control of plant pathogens was already known and practiced in the early stages of agriculture, especially in China {Cook and Baker, 1983 ). However, it was only after 1945, that the study of the mode of action of compost started, especially against soil-borne plant pathogens. Nevertheless, during the 1960s and 1970s increased intensification and specialization in agriculture were accompanied by a sharp decline in the research on composts. Only recently (after discovering the suppressiveness of certain bark composts against some soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi), has interest grown in putting these plant-protecting properties of composts into action (Hoitink and Fahy, 1986). At the Division of Alternative Agricultural Methods, research into the degree of suppressiveness obtainable from composts originating from various raw materials, is under way. Special emphasis has been placed on composts originating from separately collected organic household wastes, so called biogenic waste compost (BWC). The first results of this research are presented here. 0167-8809/89/$03.50
© 1989 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
478 MATERIALS AND METHODS
The chosen trial system was easy to handle under laboratory conditions but still retained importance for practical agriculture and horticulture. This system was made up of a common soil-borne plant pathogen (Pythium ultimum (Trow)) and various host plants (Lumbsden et al., 1983). In order to eliminate the effects of any undesirable outside interferences, the tests were conducted in the form of "pot-trials" under controlled environmental conditions in growth chambers. The substrates consisted basically of sterilized sand which was amended with 8, 10 or 30% (v/v) compost (equaling 4.10, 5.12 and 15.37% on a weight basis, in the case of BWC and equaling 3.76% (w/w) and 7.75% (w/w), in the case of compost originating from bark and cattle manure, respectively, where 8% (v/v) were incorporated) and inoculated with a small amount (0.1 ml) of an infection mixture (wheatflour:sand:soil exposed to penetration by the pathogen for a 2-week period). The treatments without compost received adequate nutrients in the form of finely ground mineral fertilizers. Since fresh matter yields correlated closely with dry matter yields and produced identical results, effects were measured by means of fresh matter evaluation. Every trial was run with 5 replicates and the results were analysed using Duncan's multiple range test and analysis of variance. All presented figures showing treatments with inoculation and without compost amendment differ at least significantly. RESULTS
In Fig. 1 the suppressiveness of BWC towards P. ultimum was compared with that of compost originating from bark and cattle manure. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva) which reacts to infection with a reduced rate of emergence, were used as host plants. Treatments without infection showed rates of emergence in the range 75-85%. Inoculation of the sand reduced the rate of emerging plants to 30%, whereas when the sand was amended with compost, between 55 and 70% of the seeds emerged as plants. In this experiment, BWC proved to be superior to other composts tested. In a further trial, which was conducted solely with BWC, the effect of the following changes was ascertained: (1) a different parasite/host combination; (2) differing volumes of compost amendments; (3) delaying the sowing date after infection and compost amendment. In this trial (Fig. 2), the above-ground yields (expressed as fresh matters) of Phaseolus vulgaris were evaluated 2 weeks after emergence. Fresh-matter values of the non-infected compost-free treatments at each sowing date represent 100%. When inoculum was added to compost-free substrates, freshmatter yields amounted to only 20-40% of the yield obtained in the control. The addition of compost to the substrates always resulted in fresh matter val-
479 100 [--]noninf~ted
gO
%
a
a
80
[]infected ab
70
ab
60
b
50 40 ,30 20 10 0
I
I
free
biogenic w a s t e
c a t t l e manure
bark
composts (8I v/v)
* columns with the same letter are statistically not different (Duncan-test, p = 0.05)
Fig. 1. Rates of emergence of beetroot after infection with P. ultimum and addition of various composts (in percentage to planted seeds).
b
120
b
b
infection + co(apost
b*
[] 0.0~ + O~
100
[] O.If~+ O~
%
[] O.l~+ lO~
80
[] 0.I~+ 30~ 60
40 a
20
IIIIIlll simultaneous
' date
* coluees with the same l e t t e r are s t a t i s t i c a l l y (Duncan-test,
by 7 days
delayed of
I delayed
by 30 days
sowing
not different
p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 2. Effect of biogenic waste compost on beans, infected with P. ultimum at different sowing times (fresh matter in percentage to control).
ues comparable with those obtained with non-infected sand. When sowing, inoculation and the addition of compost were all performed simultaneously, the development of fresh matter was substantially more than that produced from non-inoculated sand. In summary, there was no obvious decline in the effectiveness of the suppressive action of the compost tested, neither with the change of host plants nor with delayed sowing or differing amounts of compost amendments.
480
In Fig. 3 we have reported the results of a trial using varying levels of infection, conducted in order to show the limits of the suppressiveness of BWC. This time, peas were used as host plants. Pythium ultimum was added at 3 levels, representing moderate, medium and extreme inoculum potentials. Compost was added as in the previous experiment in amounts of 10 and 30%
(v/v). The parameter used for evaluation was once again fresh-matter yield. The value of non-infected sand represented 100% and the other values were expressed as relative figures. Where no infection took place, compost amended 120 e
e*
e
e
o/o100 ~
e
~
so
lllllllm ~
60
IIH
j
~_~f~
de
[]
without compost
F-]
10%Comp°st (v/v)
[]
30%
compost (v/v)
~S
a
20
~
0
4 O,O
0.02
0.1
0,5
infection material added (promille) * coI ummswith the some l e t t e r are statistically not d i f f e r e n t (Duncan-test, p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 3. Effect of biogenicwaste compost on peasat three inoculumlevels of P. ultimum (fresh matter in percentageto control).
C
b*
TL'j
I
infection+ compost [] o.oz. + 0 %
%
80
[ ] 0.2%. + 0 %
7o
[] 0.2~ + 10%
a
6o
[] 0.2~ + 30%
50
I
40
A
30 20
10 0 simultaneous
delayed
date of * columns w i t h the s~me l e t t e r
by
7 clays
sowing
are s t a t i s t i c a l l y
not d i f f e r e n t
(Duncan-test, p = 0.05) (calculated on the basis of absolute data)
Fig. 4. Effect of biogenic waste compost on peas, infected with R. solani at different sowing times ( f r e s h m a t t e r in percentage to control ).
481 treatments performed better than those in fertilized sand. The lowest level of infection (0.02 ml 1-1) reduced fresh matter by 80% in the case of fertilized sand. This was owing to a reduced rate of emergence as well as a reduced growth rate of the remaining plants. If compost was added, this infection level was no longer able to reduce fresh matter values below the figures obtained for noninfected sand. At the medium infection level a further reduction in fresh matter yield was observed in substrates without compost. The addition of compost to the substrates no longer provided complete protection of the plants but fresh matter values were still in the range 60-80% of the yield of the fertilized sand. Under conditions representing extreme infection, not a single plant emerged from the sand substrates. Nevertheless, when compost was added to the substrates in amounts of 10 and 30% the fresh matter values were 20 and 40% of the yield of the fertilized sand, respectively. This shows that even under extreme disease conditions the compost retains its suppressiveness. Finally, the suppressive effect of BWC towards a further soil-borne plant pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani (Kiihn)) has been tested (Fig. 4). The lay-out of the experiment basically remained as described for the previous trials. Once again peas were used as host plants and fresh matter yields were expressed in relation to those yields of compost-free non-infected substrates. When seeds were planted 7 days after the infection with an addition of compost, the amendment with compost clearly increased fresh-matter yields. The infection of compost-free sand resulted in a reduction of fresh-matter yield by roughly 60%. Where 10% and 30% compost was added to the substrates, fresh matter yields accounted for 60% and 80%, respectively. Comparable results were obtained when sowing was performed simultaneously with the addition of compost and inoculum. In this case the treatments containing 30% compost did not perform quite as well as expected. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, it can be said that our tests showed that BWC was able to provide a certain degree of plant protection against soil-borne plant pathogens. The actual mode of action of the suppressiveness of BWC has not yet been uncovered. However, workers with other suppressive composts suggest that antagonists (e.g. Trichoderma spp., Gliocladium spp.) play a major role {Nelson and Hoitink, 1983; Kuter et al., 1983) but at the same time the importance of undefined factors {Nelson et al., 1983 ) and the possibility that the suppressive mechanism changes from chemical to biotic during the aging process (Hoitink and Kuter, 1986) should not be dismissed. Nevertheless, the aim of further investigations at our institute will be the uncovering of further plantprotecting properties of composts. Special emphasis will be placed on composted farmyard manure and biogenic wastes as the use of such materials represents a major requirement in the prevention of plant diseases within organic
482
farming methods (Parr et al., 1986). The successful use of composted farmyard manure in controlling plant pathogens under practical farming conditions may also lead to a reduced application of pesticides in conventional farming.
REFERENCES Cook, R.J. and Baker, K.F., 1983. The nature and practice of biological control of plant pathogens. Am. Phytopathol. Soc., St. Paul, MN, 540 pp. Hoitink, H.A.J. and Fahy, P.C., 1986. Basis for the control of soil-borne plant pathogens with composts. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol., 24: 93-124. Hoitink, H.A.J. and Kuter, G.A., 1986. Effects of composts in growth media on soilborne pathogens. In: Y. Chen and Y. Arnimelech, (Editors). The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp. 289-306. Kuter, G.A., Nelson, E.B., Hoitink, H.A.J. and Madden, L.V., 1983. Fungal populations in container media amended with composted hardwood bark suppressive and conducive to Rhizoctonia damping-off. Phytopathology, 73: 1450-1456. Lumbsden, R.D., Lewis, J.A. and Millner, P.D., 1983. Effect of composed sewage sludge on several soilborne pathogens and diseases. Phytopathology, 73: 1543-1548. Nelson, E.B. and Hoitink, H.A.J., 1983. The role of microorganisms in the suppression of Rhizoctonia solani in container media amended with composted hardwood bark. Phytopathology, 73: 274-278. Nelson, E.B., Kuter, G.A. and Hoitink, H.A.J., 1983. Effects of fungal antagonists and compost age on suppression of Rhizoctonia damping-off in container media amended with composted hardwood bark. Phytopathology, 73:1457 - 1462. Parr, J.F., Papendick, R.J. and Colacicco, D., 1986. Recycling of Organic Wastes for a Sustainable Agriculture. Biol. Agric. Hort., 3: 115-130.