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Project Leader(s): Anu Rangarajan, Dept.
of Fruit and Vegetable Science, Cornell
Margaret Tuttle McGrath, Dept. of Plant Pathology,
Cornell
Cooperator(s): Ted Blomgren, Cornell
Cooperative Extension, Capital District
Type of grant: Biological control and pest
biology
Cultural methods; sanitation; physical controls
Systems comparison trials
Project location(s): Research plots were
located in Riverhead, Long Island and Schoharie, New York. Results may be applied
throughout the Northeast or nationally.
Abstract: The goal of this project was
to evaluate commercially available composts for managing Phytophthora fruit
rot of pumpkin. Five composts were screened for disease suppressiveness against
common soil borne disease organisms in the greenhouse. One product stood out
as highly suppressive. This compost (Nutribrew) was then applied to two fields
with a history of Phytophthora capsici. In one field, no disease occurred.
Pumpkin growth and yield was significantly improved where compost was applied,
and 20 tons/a was adequate to achieve this improvement. The compost contributed
to both nutrients as well as moisture conservation. In the other field, the
disease pressure was high, and compost applications did not reduce the disease
level. These results may suggest the need for several years of application before
diseases may be reduced.
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