Compost Tea Treatments Research Articles

Compost tea enhances volatile content in tomato fruits via SlERF.E4-activated SlLOX expression.

Aroma volatiles, essential for tomato fruit flavor, were previously reported to accumulate more abundantly in fruits cultivated with compost tea. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which compost tea regulates aroma volatile synthesis in tomato fruit remains elusive. Here, we found that compost tea treatment significantly increased the content of volatiles derived from fatty acids in tomato fruit. Transcriptional analysis revealed that compost tea application upregulated the expression of linolenic acid metabolic pathway gene LOXs (SlLOXD and SlLOXE). Furthermore, overexpression of SlLOXD and SlLOXE enhanced the volatiles in fruit, while compost tea treatment failed to increase volatiles content in loxd and loxe mutants. Interestingly, compost tea application increased the level of ACC, a precursor of ethylene. Treatment with an ethylene signaling inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) negated the aroma enhancement effect of compost tea on tomato fruits. SlERF.E4, a transcription factor responsive to ethylene signaling, bound to the promoters of SlLOXD and SlLOXE. Overexpression of SlERF.E4 led to increased expression of SlLOXD and SlLOXE, as well as elevated fruit volatile content. Indeed, aroma enhancement in the SlERF.E4-overexpressed tomatoes was not affected by 1-MCP. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the improvement of flavor in organic fruits and provide valuable insights for the development of strategies in organic agriculture.

Detection and Estimation of Endogenous Jasmonic Acid and Salicylic Acid in Potato Genotypes Imposed with Defense Modulators Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Jasmonic Acid (JA) and Salicylic Acid (SA) are pivotal signaling molecules involved in the complex network of plant defense mechanisms. Enhancing the levels of JA and SA through exogenous application or genetic manipulation has shown promising results in bolstering plant resistance to a wide range of diseases. This study investigates the effects of JA, SA and Compost Tea (CT) treatments on the endogenous JA and SA responses of four distinct potato genotypes-KH (Kufri Himalini, Solanum tuberosum), KJ (Kufri Jyothi, Solanum tuberosum), AC4 (Solanum sparsipillium) and AC6 (Solanum spegzinii). High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted to determine endogenous detectable levels of JA and SA defence phytohormones. The absorption spectra showed peak absorptions at 295 nm and 325 nm for JA (25 µg ml-1) and SA (10 µg ml-1) respectively. Retention times of JA and SA were determined to be RT-3.74 and RT-2.86 min respectively. The genotypes were subjected to various concentrations of JA and SA, and their respective impacts on endogenous JA and SA were measured. Genotype-specific responses were evident, with all genotypes displaying distinct sensitivities with respect to endogenous detectable JA in CT (KH-15.42 µg ml-1, KJ-133.67 µg ml-1, AC4-10.36 µg ml-1, AC6-7.92 µg ml-1), JA (KH-83.03 µg ml-1, KJ-184.14 µg ml-1, AC4-286.95 µg ml-1, AC6-9.2 µg ml-1) treatments while no detectable JA and SA was observed in Control, SA and JA+SA combined treatments. JA could enhance higher amount of detectable endogenous JA than CT treatment. The application of JA and SA enhancement could demonstrate success in various other crops rendering resistance against diseases in an eco-friendly approach.

Enhancement of Antioxidant Potential, Phytochemicals, Nutritional Properties, and Growth of Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L.Burtt with Different Dosages of Compost Tea

The wild population of Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Zingiberaceae) is being eroded due to several pharmacological benefits and the hidden economy credited to its ethnobotanical uses in Southern Africa. This has called for the adoption of sustainable ways of cultivating the species without compromising its bioactive constituents. In this study, compost tea was brewed and applied at different dosages to potted S. aethiopicus to enhance its growth quality, phytochemical content, and elemental compositions. Treatments comprised 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 (vv) graded concentrations of compost tea, while water and undiluted compost tea were the control treatments. Results showed that dosages of compost tea had no significant effect on chlorophyl content or fresh and dry weights of rhizomes of S. aethiopicus. The longest leaves were recorded in plants irrigated with water only, while the shortest leaves were recorded in plants irrigated by 50% compost tea. A similar trend was observed in leaf width, except that equivalent values were recorded in all compost tea treatments while plants irrigated with undiluted compost tea were tallest. The highest and lowest flavanols were respectively recorded in 0.50 and 0.25 compost tea-treated plant samples, while undiluted compost tea yielded the highest flavonol and phenolic acids. The highest antioxidant contents were produced by the 0.25 compost tea-treated samples in the ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and ORAC (Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity) assays, while the lowest were observed in plants irrigated with water only, although all compost tea-treated plants had equivalent effects on the ORAC content. The highest N, P, K, and Mn contents were produced in the 0.25-treated samples, while the minerals were least accumulated in samples treated with water only. All treatments had equivalent effects on Ca, Zn, and B yield, whereas the highest and equivalent accumulations of Mg and Na were recorded in the control treatments. Iron (Fe) and Cu were most influenced significantly by water whereas P, Ca and Zn tissue concentration was not significantly influenced by treatments. These results indicate that compost tea can optimize growth, mineral accumulation, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in S. aethiopicus. This approach serves as a greener and sustainable way of conserving overexploited indigenous medicinal plants such as S. aethiopicus to mitigate overexploitation of its wild relatives and preserve its genome from imminent extinction.

Response of cotton root growth and rhizosphere soil bacterial communities to the application of acid compost tea in calcareous soil

Acid compost tea (CT) is an acidic liquid organic fertilizer, which can be used for topdressing throughout the period of cotton growth in drip irrigation cotton fields with calcareous soil. However, its effects on soil bacteria and cotton roots are not clear. This study investigated the response of cotton roots and rhizosphere bacteria to CT application. Compared with organic fertilizer, the total root length, surface area, and volume were found to increase by 18.9%, 19.9%, and 20.7% upon CT treatment, respectively. However, the abundance of rhizosphere bacteria decreased upon CT treatment. The relative abundance of bacteria associated with root growth and rhizosphere environmental health, such as Micrococcaceae, Nocardioidaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae, increased significantly, whereas the relative abundance of oligotrophic bacteria, such as Methylmirabilota, decreased. Random forest distribution showed that the cotton root was the main factor affecting rhizosphere bacterial abundance and diversity, while soil properties (pH, total nitrogen, and organic carbon) and roots affect the relative abundance of some species together. The gene expression associated with metabolism, environmental adaptation, and immune system in rhizosphere bacteria increased. In conclusion, CT can improve soil properties and promote the growth of cotton roots, and cotton roots in turn exert regulatory effects to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere and affect their functions. CT has considerable application potential for the sustainable development of cotton fields with calcareous soil.

Compost tea production methods affect soil nitrogen and microbial activity in a northern highbush blueberry system

ABSTRACT The use of compost tea has increased in organic agriculture as a substitute for herbicides and inorganic fertilizers, but the relative effects of compost tea produced via different methods are largely unknown. We examined the effects of compost tea on soil and plant chemistry and microbial community enzyme activity on an organic blueberry farm in Minnesota, USA. We randomly assigned plants to one of three compost tea treatments: aerated compost tea under ambient temperature, heated and aerated compost tea, and a control treatment. Heated and aerated compost tea increased soil percent nitrogen compared to the other treatments, and decreased activity of β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, an enzyme involved in chitin degradation, compared to the aerated-only treatment. We propose that the production method of compost tea has a significant effect on its efficacy as an organic soil amendment.

Effects of Bacteria and Compost Tea Applications on Fruit Characteristics, Yield and Nutrient Content on Salihli Sweet Cherry Variety

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Salihli kiraz çeşidinde bakteri ve kompost çayı uygulamalarının meyve özellikleri, verim, gelişme ve besin elementi içeriklerine etkisinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Materyal ve Metot: Araştırmada P. mahaleb anacına aşılı Salihli kiraz çeşidi bitkisel materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. Pantoae agglomerans strain C9/1 ve Pseudomonas fluorescens strain A506 bakterileri ağaçlara 3 farklı dönemde (tam çiçeklenme, çiçeklenmeden 15 ve 30 gün sonar) kompost çayı ise 15 günlük periyotlarda (yapraklanma - meyvelerde renk dönüşümü) uygulanmıştır. Sürgün uzunluğu, meyve özellikleri, makro ve mikro besin elementleri ve verim incelenmiştir. Bulgular: A506 bakteri uygulaması ile sürgün uzunluğu ve sap kopma kuvveti artış göstermiştir. Bakteri ve kompost çayı uygulamalarında, meyvelerin koyu kırmızı renkli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Uygulamalara bağlı olarak, P, K, Na ve Fe içeriği bakımından farklılık ortaya çıkmıştır. Sonuç: Sürgün uzunluğu ve meyve özellikleri bakımından A506 ve C9/1 bakteri uygulamalarının kontrole göre etkili olduğu görülmüştür. Kompost çayı uygulamasında besin elementi içeriği en yüksek değere ulaşmıştır. Tüm uygulamalar verimi olumlu yönde etkilemiştir.

Compost tea-mediated induction of resistance in biocontrol of strawberry Verticillium wilt

In vitro and in vivo trials were conducted to assess the biocontrol efficacy of the tea prepared from maize straw compost against Verticillium wilt of strawberry caused by Verticillium dahliae and the mechanisms involved in suppression of the phytopathogen. The compost tea used in the present study inhibited the mycelial growth and conidial germination of V. dahliae by 90.60% and 78.24%, respectively. However, sterilization of compost tea by autoclaving diminished the inhibitory effect, suggesting that microflora in the compost tea play a pivotal role in the prevention of Verticillium wilt. The elongation of germ tubes was suppressed by filter-sterilized compost tea and revealed the presence of thermolabile and low molecular weight antifungal substances in the compost tea. Greenhouse trials indicated that preventive application of compost tea on strawberry plants exhibited control efficacy of 41.85% against Verticillium wilt. Moreover, the compost tea treatment could induce resistance in the primed state, which led to enhanced production of defense-related enzymes in strawberry plants upon pathogen attack. Our results demonstrated that direct inhibition of V. dahliae by microorganisms and induction of plant defense response are main mechanisms involved in compost tea-based disease suppression.

Efecto de la adición de ácido ascórbico y té de composta en la producción y capacidad antioxidante de forraje hidropónico de maíz

La producción de forraje verde hidropónico (FVH) es una opción que puede ayudar a resolver la problemática de la falta de suministro de forraje en épocas de sequía y escasez de alimento para ganado. Este tipo de forraje presenta rendimientos aceptables además de que tiene gran valor nutrimental y nutracéutico, por lo cual, puede promover la salud del ganado. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la aplicación de ácido ascórbico y té de composta en el sistema de producción de FVH de maíz. La investigación se realizó en la Región Lagunera, en un invernadero ubicado en el Ejido San Lorenzo, en el Municipio de San Pedro de las Colonias, en el Estado de Coahuila. Para la producción de FVH se utilizó semilla de maíz criollo variedad San Lorenzo, que fue evaluado en un diseño experimental completamente al azar con seis repeticiones por tratamiento, los cuales fueron: té de composta (TC), té de composta más ácido ascórbico (TCAA), agua más ácido ascórbico (AAA) y agua (A) como control. Las variables evaluadas fueron rendimiento, porcentaje de materia seca, contenido de fenólicos totales y capacidad antioxidante. El análisis de varianza mostró diferencias significativas (p≤ 0.05) en todas las variables evaluadas, atribuible a la aplicación de té de composta y ácido ascórbico. Se encontró un incremento del 41 % en el rendimiento con el tratamiento de té de composta en comparación con el control. Los resultados más altos en producción de materia seca que se encontraron fueron utilizando té de composta (TC) y la combinación té de composta- ácido ascórbico (TCAA) con 18.91 y 17.6 %, respectivamente. El tratamiento TCAA obtuvo un 49.5 % más de compuestos fenólicos totales respecto al control. Los resultados señalaron un incremento importante en la capacidad antioxidante total mediante la combinación TCAA con 25 y 32 % más (ABTS+ y DPPH+, respectivamente) en los valores obtenidos con respecto al control. Se concluye que el uso de fuentes orgánicas como el ácido ascórbico y el té de composta mejora el rendimiento y la capacidad antioxidante del forraje hidropónico, por lo cual es recomendable para su aplicación en sistemas de cultivo hidropónico de forraje orgánico.

Effect of compost tea containing phosphogypsum on potato plant growth and protection against Fusarium solani infection.

Three composts made of industrial wastes were prepared by mixing olive oil mill waste water (OMW), olive pomace, coffee grounds, and phosphogypsum (0, 10, and 30%). Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) cultivated in a greenhouse were used to screen compost tea suppressive ability. All compost tea treatments inhibited Fusarium solani growth and improved plant growth and response to F. solani infection. The antagonistic effects of the different treatments were associated with a marked increase of the antioxidant enzymes and PR (pathogenesis related) protein expression and a decrease of disease severity. These results also showed that plant growth and disease suppression were improved by application of phosphogypsum-supplemented compost teas (A10 and A30). This enhancement can be attributed to the influence of phosphogypsum on nutrient elements and microbial diversity in the resulting compost teas.

Role of some Non-traditional Compounds in Managing Sugar Beet Powdery Mildew

Certain non-traditional compounds such as compost tea, humic acid and sulphated canola oil were tested as foliar application to evaluate their efficacy to induce systemic resistance against Erysiphe betae, the causal agent of powdery mildew in sugar beet (Herkl cv.) versus the traditional fungicide Opera under greenhouse and field conditions at Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (A.R.C.), Egypt during two successive winter seasons (2014/2015 and 2015/2016). Under greenhouse conditions, results revealed that spraying plants with all the tested compounds reduced disease severity of powdery mildew. The fungicide Opera was the most effective treatment in reducing disease severity and increasing the efficacy followed by Sulplex, compost tea and humic acid. Also, all treatments significantly increased total phenols and orthodihydric (OD) phenol content of the leaves compared to the control 15, 30 and 45 days after inoculation. Also, spraying plants with the tested compounds increased the activity of peroxidase (PO), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and chitinase enzymes compared to the control, 15, 30 and 45 days after artificial inoculation. Inthe detection of chitinase activity by using SDS-glycol chitin polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the molecular weight for all samples ranged from 28 to 30 kDa. high intensity band expressing the highest chitinase activity was found in compost-tea treatment followed by Sulplex. Moreover, control, fungicide Opera and humic acid treatments showed low chitinase activity. Under field experiments, results indicated that the fungicide Opera was the most effective treatment for controlling powdery mildew followed by Sulplex and compost tea. Meanwhile, humic acid was the lowest effective one in this regard. All treatments increased root yield per feddan compared to the control. The fungicide Opera and Sulplex gave the highest root yield per feddan followed by compost tea then humic acid. Moreover, compost tea and Sulplex gave the highest percentages of total soluble solids (T.S.S.), sucrose percentages in beet roots and purity.

ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS IN PRODUCTION AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF CUCUMBER FRUITS

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient solutions over yield, quality and antioxidant capacity of hydroponic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruits produced under greenhouse conditions. The organic solutions used were compost and vermicompost teas, and the Steiner nutrient solution was used as control. Evaluated variables were: yield, quality, and antioxidant capacity of cucumber fruits. Nutritive solutions affected yield and antioxidant capacity of the produce. Steiner solution obtained a higher yield (41.8 - 44.4%) than organic nutritive solutions; however organic cucumber samples had higher antioxidant capacity. Compost tea treatment obtained the highest antioxidant capacity among all treatments, resulting 42% higher than inorganically fertilized produce. Compost tea is a viable alternative as a nutrient source in the production of hydroponic cucumber under greenhouse conditions with an improved nutraceutical quality.

Compost Tea Reduces Egg Hatch and Early-Stage Nymphal Development ofHalyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest causing significant agricultural losses in the USA, particularly among USDAcertified organic agricultural operations that are prohibited from using synthetic pesticides. Recent research indicates that for optimal development, nymphs of H. halys require gut microbial symbionts that are acquired from the egg mass. This research investigated the impact of ‘compost teas,’ biologically-active organic matter emulsions that are commonly applied as foliar sprays for pathogen management in organic agriculture, on H. halys during early stages of development. We compared H. halys development after misting egg masses and neonates with reversed osmosis water (control), or with a 50/50 mixture of compost teas derived from poultry manure and mushroom waste. The compost tea treatment significantly affected hatch (%) for egg masses of H. halys that were treated initially within 24–30 h of deposition, resulting in a 13% reduction in hatch, as compared to the control. Furthermore, significant 2-fold increases in mortality were found for 1st and 2nd instars in the compost tea group, as compared to those in the control group. For egg masses initially treated later (i.e., 2–3 days after deposition), the compost tea treatment resulted in a significant 3-fold increase in mortality (%) for 1st instars, compared to the control. These findings suggest that compost tea holds potential for developing an organic management tactic for H. halys and warrant future investigation of potential underlying mechanisms, including antagonistic interactions with microbial gut symbionts and antibiotic compounds that could penetrate the egg chorion.

Effects of compost tea treatments on productivity of lettuce and kohlrabi systems under organic cropping management

The use of compost tea (CT) is becoming interesting for applications in organic agriculture. CTs are oxygenated extracts of compost that give positive effects on the crops because contain bioactive molecules and microorganisms that improve plant growth and health. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of CTs applied as foliar spray and drenching, respectively, on kohlrabi and lettuce cultivation. The CT tested here was originated by an aerated water-extraction of two artichoke and fennel composts. CT treatments considerably improved crop yields. CT, in fact, increased lettuce and kohlrabi commercial yields higher 24% and 32%, respectively. Due to CT, the physiological and nutritional status of the plants increased, as noticed by foliar chlorophyll content assessment measured during crop cycles. The results provided encouraging indications about the practical application of CT in horticultural organic farming system.

Effects of Tea Plant Compost and Mineral Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet Crop

A field experiment was carried out during two successive seasons of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 at Sakha Agriculture Reseach Station, Egypt, to study the effects of different applications of compost tea (C) under three mineral nitrogen (N) levels and their interaction effects on sugar yield and juice quality characteristics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), and soil available nutrients. Results indicated that the sugar yield and juice quality characteristics of sugar beet were significantly increased with compost tea treatments, especially in the plots treated with compost tea foliar application in three batches. A quality percentage of sugar beet was increased about 8.0% in the plots treated with compost tea or interaction between N mineral N and compost tea treatments above the control treatment. The interaction between mineral N and compost tea treatments had a significant effect on sugar yield, sugar percentage, purity, and quality of sugar beet and soil fertility.

PERFORMANCE OF FREE LIVING N2-FIXERS BACTERIA, COMPOST TEA AND MINERAL NITROGEN APPLICATIONS ON SOME SOIL PROPERTIES, PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF ONION CROP (Giza red vr.).

A field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate at North Nile Delta Region. The experiments were conducted to study the response of onion to nitrogen fertilizer levels under different bio-organic fertilizers (compost tea and N2-fixing bacteria) as well as their interaction, on some soil properties and the growth and onion bulbs yield and its quality during the two successive winter seasons of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. A split-split plot design with three replicates was used in this study. The main plots were designated to the three mineral nitrogen fertilizer levels (60, 90 and 120 kg N fad.-1), whereas foliar spraying treatments with compost tea at the same dose, 20 L fad.-1 (spraying with water; foliar spraying at 40 days after transplanting (DAT); foliar spraying at 40 and 60 DAT; foliar spraying at 40, 60 and 80 DAT and soil application, 30 DAT at rate of 30 L fad.-1) were randomly distributed in sub plots. While uninoculation and inoculation with di-nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobacter Chroococum and Azospirilium Brasilense) were randomly distributed in the sub-sub plots. The obtained results could be summarized as follow: The highest increase in soil available nutrients (N, P and K), organic matter percentages and total bacterial counts were increased significantly and recorded in the plots treated with compost tea as soil application batches and/or inoculation at nitrogen fertilizers level 90 kg N fed-1 (N2B4C2) while the lowest were recorded in the uninoculated plots treated with N fertilizers at 60 kg N fed-1 without both compost tea and bacterial inoculation. With inoculation and mineral nitrogen applications, soil salinity and pH were decreased in compost tea treatment under soil application as compared with others compost tea applications. The experimental results confirmed that the combination of compost tea, inoculation by di-nitrogen fixing bacteria and mineral nitrogen fertilizers could improve soil fertility. Growth and onion bulbs yield and their quality were highest due to application of compost tea on thrice than twice batches at the same dose and other treatments. The effect of bio-fertilizer in plant height, leaves dry weight/plant, bulb dry weight, plant dry weight, bulb diameter and bulb weight as well as bulb quality was evident in both seasons. In general, inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirilium brasilense positively increased all the previous characters. Based on the results of the current study, the combinations of medium dose of mineral N and compost tea or biofertilizers could be considered as an integrated nutrient management to improve soil bio-physical properties and the growth and yield of onion plants. It also confirmed that compost tea can be used as organic substrate additives in plant cultivation and substitute for chemical nitrogen fertilizers.

Improving `Neoton` Tomato Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor with Compost Tea Treatment

Improving `Neoton` Tomato Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor with Compost Tea Treatment

Using aerated compost tea in comparison with a chemical pesticide for controlling rose powdery mildew

Rose powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa var. rosae) is one of the most common foliar diseases of roses worldwide. Application of chemical products on the plant or in the soil kills a range of the beneficial micro-organisms thereby disturbing ecosystem. Compost tea helps to restore and increase the populations of those beneficial micro-organisms. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the comparison of biopesticide (compost tea) and a chemical pesticide. The experiment was performed in three treatments, which were compost tea, fungicide (Topaz) and no treatment in three replications. After foliar applications of biopesticide and fungicide, the control percentage was estimated based on the number of infected flowers with powdery mildew. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between these treatments on rose in controlling powdery mildew (F = 23.25, p = 0.0015, df = 2), at a probability level of 1% (p ⩽ 0.01). So, that control percentage of compost tea treatment was the most.

ONION PRODUCTIVITY AND SOIL FERTILITY STATUS AS INFLUENCED BY INTEGRATED USE OF INORGANIC, COMPOST TEA AND N2-FIXING BACTERIAl FERTILIZERS

Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate at North Nile Delta Region. The experiments were conducted to study the response of onion to nitrogen fertilizer levels under different bio-organic fertilizers (compost tea and biofertilizer) as well as their interaction, on the growth and onion bulbs yield and its quality as well as storability of onion bulbs during the two successive winter seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. A split-split plot design with three replicates was used in this study. The main plots were designated to the three mineral nitrogen fertilizer levels (60, 90 and 120 kg N fad.-1), whereas foliar spraying treatments with compost tea at the same dose, 20 L fad.-1 (spraying with water; foliar spraying at 40 days after transplanting (DAT); foliar spraying at 40 and 60 DAT; foliar spraying at 40, 60 and 80 DAT and soil application, 30 DAT at rate of 30 L fad.-1) were randomly distributed in sub plots. While uninoculated and Inoculation with di-nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobacter and Azospirilium) were randomly distributed in the sub-sub plots. The obtained results could be summarized as follow: The two higher nitrogen levels (90 and 120kg N fad.-1) achieved a significant increase in vegetative growth characters (plant height, plant fresh weight, leaves dry weight/plant, bulb dry weight, plant dry weight and bulb diameter) as well as bulbs yield and quality (marketable and total bulbs yield as well as bulb diameter) as compared to the lower nitrogen rate (60 kg N fad.-1) in both seasons. The lower level of nitrogen (60 kg N fad.-1) resulted in a significant increase in TSS and dry matter % in addition to decrease weight loss% of onion bulbs at different storage periods in the two seasons. Growth and onion bulbs yield and its quality were highest due to application of compost tea on thrice than twice batches at the same dose and other treatments. The lowest values of bulbs weight loss% at 6 months were obtained under the application of compost tea on thrice batches. The effect of bio-fertilizer in plant height, Leaves dry weight/plant, bulb dry weight, plant dry weight, bulb diameter and bulb weight as well as bulb quality was evident in both seasons. In general, inoculation with Azotobacter and Azospirilium possitively increased all the previous characters. Total bulbs yield increased above 4.2 % in the plots treated by bio-fertilizer as compared with uninoculated treatment. Bio-fertilizer exert a significant effect on total weight loss of onion bulbs during different storage periods in the two seasons, where the lowest values were recorded with Azotobacter and Azospirilium inoculation. The interaction between mineral nitrogen and compost tea treatments had a significant effect on most studied characters. It is clear that the application of 90kg N fad.-1x foliar spraying with compost tea at 40, 60 and 80 DAT treatments produced the highest values of these traits in both seasons.

Effect of spent mushroom compost tea on mycelial growth and yield of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

Preliminary studies suggested that the use of compost tea made from spent mushroom substrate (SMS) may be regarded as a potential method for biologically controlling dry bubble disease in button mushroom. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of SMS compost tea on the host, the button mushroom, to ascertain whether the addition of these water extracts has a toxic effect on Agaricus bisporus mycelium growth and on mushroom yield. In vitro experiments showed that the addition of SMS compost tea to the culture medium inoculated with a mushroom spawn grain did not have an inhibitory effect on A. bisporus mycelial growth. The effect of compost teas on the quantitative production parameters of A. bisporus (yield, unitary weight, biological efficiency and earliness) was tested in a cropping trial, applying the compost teas to the casing in three different drench applications. Quantitative production parameters were not significantly affected by the compost tea treatments although there was a slight delay of 0.8-1.4 days in the harvest time of the first flush. These results suggest that compost teas have no fungitoxic effect on A. bisporus so that they can be considered a suitable biocontrol substance for the control of dry bubble disease.

IMPACT OF FARMYARD MANURE AND MANURE COMPOST TEA ON POTATO YIELD AND SOIL FERTILITY.

A field experiment was conducted during the successive season of 2004/2005 winter in using clayey soil at Monshat El-Badawi Village, Talkha District, Dakahlia Governorate (North Nile delta region), to investigate the ability of applying farmyard compost and its compost tea on potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Spunta and economic return for each treatments. Five treatments were arranged in a complete randomize block with three replicates, Four application methods (ore compost, sediment, sediment and extract combination and compost tea). Compost tea, foliar significantly increased dry shoot yield and fresh tuber yield in both seasons. Also, application of compost tea increased dry matter (as %), crud protein (as %) and specific gravity of tubers in both seasons. As so, sediment and extract combination addition increased dry matter (as %) in tubers, and crud protein (as %) significantly in both season.. The addition of farmyard manure into the soil increased both of total and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. In spite of the highest values for all studied parameters under investigation were realized due to the compost tea treatment.