tea for two part two

I pffted science in my previous post.  Just kidding.  Really.  I’m sorry, science.

Anyway, a little addendum to the research, and this one’s in English:

Vermicompost, the end product of an earthworm meal, not only dramatically increases plant growth and yield, but also suppresses diseases, parasitic nematodes, and arthropod pests. Vermicompost maintains high levels of microbial activity, which produces such valuable plant compounds as growth hormones, plant growth regulators, and soluble nutrients.

These compounds normally break down quite rapidly in soils, but they stick to the humic acid produced during the vermiculture process. Like a time-release capsule, the chemicals release slowly to promote enhanced plant growth and production.

Keith Fletcher and colleagues at Oregon Soil Corporation, in conjunction with Clive Edwards of The Ohio State University, tested food-waste teas on the growth of tomato and cucumber plants.

“The vermicompost tea increased plant growth and yields dramatically—by up to 50 percent,” Edwards said.

In addition, the teas successfully suppressed pests and diseases and limited the damage caused by plant pathogens, parasitic nematodes, aphids, and spider mites.

Most importantly, the tea produced the favorable environmental soil conditions required for healthy microbial activity, made nitrogen available to the plants, and provided plant growth promoters.

Great stuff from the USDA.  Read the whole thing here.