VERMICOMPOST TEA AND BTH EFFECT ON PINEAPPLE HEART ROT

Vermicompost tea and Actigard were evaluated for control of Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae. Crowns of ‘CO-2’ (73-50) were dipped in 100 mg/L Actigard^®, 3 g/L Aliette^® water or water. Vermicompost tea or water was applied as a 500 ml/crown drench after planting. Crown death was recorded 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after planting. The test was repeated. In the water treated plots, 16 and 66% of the plants died in the first and second tests, respectively, whereas only 2 and 24% death was observed in Aliette^® treated plots. Actigard^® protected the plants better in the first test (only 8% dead) compared to the second test (52% death). During the first 9 weeks, Actigard^® performed similarly to Aliette^®. Heart rot was 38% in the tea treatment in the first test and 64% in the second test, which was similar to that in the untreated plots. The vermicompost tea was not an acceptable alternative to Aliette^® for the control of heart rot. The results suggest that Actigard^® could control P. nicotianae var. nicotianae.