THE EFFECT OF COMPOSTED GREEN WASTE (CGW), EITHER AS A SURFACE APPLICATION OR BY INCORPORATION INTO A PEAT-BASED GROWING MEDIUM, ON THE IMPACT OF PYTHIUM SUPPRESSION ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF LETTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA 'LITTLE GEM')

O. Doyle, M. Delaney, R. O'Haire, J. Barry , T. Moore, W.R. Carlile , D. Ni Chualain
Within the European Union the control of plant diseases has become more challenging in recent years due to the reduction in the number of available plant protection products. Alternatives to chemical control of plant diseases are being sought. One of the most destructive plant diseases is damping off caused by Pythium spp. This study examined the possible use of composted green waste (CGW) materials as a potential control method for this disease. The study evaluated the effects of different growing media, containing composted green waste, on the occurrence and development of Pythium. Three separate experiments were undertaken using two isolates of Pythium and seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivar ‘Little Gem’. The study found that the addition of CGW, either as a surface application or by incorporation into a peat-based medium diminished the impact of Pythium spp. on the germination and growth of lettuce. The effect is dependant on the sample of CGW used and varied between isolates of Pythium.
Doyle, O., Delaney, M., O'Haire, R., Barry , J., Moore, T., Carlile , W.R. and Ni Chualain, D. (2013). THE EFFECT OF COMPOSTED GREEN WASTE (CGW), EITHER AS A SURFACE APPLICATION OR BY INCORPORATION INTO A PEAT-BASED GROWING MEDIUM, ON THE IMPACT OF PYTHIUM SUPPRESSION ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF LETTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA 'LITTLE GEM') . Acta Hortic. 1013, 479-486
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1013.59
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1013.59
disease control, Pythium, composted green waste, peat replacement
English

Acta Horticulturae