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Brewing Aerated Brewing Aerated Compost Tea:Compost Tea:

Factors that Impact Microbial Factors that Impact Microbial Composition in Compost TeaComposition in Compost Tea

Sonja PetersSonja PetersCropHealth Advising & ResearchCropHealth Advising & Research

Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC

Dr. Elaine R. Ingham

Soil Food Web, Inc. Corvallis, Oregon

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/

1) What is compost tea?1) What is compost tea?

Non-aerated compost teaNon-aerated compost teacompost extract- compost extract- compost slurry- compost slurry- compost steepage- compost steepage

Aerated compost teaAerated compost tea

HowHowAerated Compost Tea

2) Why use compost tea? 2) Why use compost tea?

A cup of hot tea = A cup of good healthA cup of hot tea = A cup of good healthTea and Health BenefitsTea and Health Benefits

Components of soil foodwebComponents of soil foodwebFruit crop ecology and management», Michigan State University, 2002Fruit crop ecology and management», Michigan State University, 2002

Disease Suppression and Plant HealthDisease Suppression and Plant Health

Damping offDamping off

Botrytis mouldBotrytis mould

powdery mildewpowdery mildew

2) Why use compost tea?



Picture – parts of a Bob bitti

Brewing Machine

ApplicationApplication

Foliar spraysFoliar sprays Soil drenchesSoil drenches Seed TreatmentSeed Treatment AerationAeration

Comparative Brewing Trails

Why did we do this testing?Why did we do this testing?

Not a lot of research done by scientists.

A lot of research conducted by the compost tea brewing companies and the results are “secret”.

We think compost tea is a useful product.

Presentation ObjectivePresentation Objective

At the end of this presentation you will be At the end of this presentation you will be familiar some of the factors that impact familiar some of the factors that impact microbial numbers in compost tea. microbial numbers in compost tea.

You will be able to take the knowledge You will be able to take the knowledge and develop a recipe to brew compost tea and develop a recipe to brew compost tea on your own. on your own.

The “standard recipe”The “standard recipe” BrewersBrewers

Bob’s Bitti 5 US gallons, 4 brewersBob’s Bitti 5 US gallons, 4 brewersK.I.S. 5 US gallons, 1 brewerK.I.S. 5 US gallons, 1 brewer

ProcedureProcedure 15 liters tap water, actively aerated for 1 hour, additives15 liters tap water, actively aerated for 1 hour, additives Actively aerated for 21 hours (compost out after 5 hours) Actively aerated for 21 hours (compost out after 5 hours) Samples to SFI Canada (analysis 48 to 72 hours later) Samples to SFI Canada (analysis 48 to 72 hours later)

Recipe Recipe (from Bob’s Brewers)(from Bob’s Brewers)

Composted yard waste 485 grams (Kelowna landfill)Composted yard waste 485 grams (Kelowna landfill) Wormcastings 285 grams (Nurturing Nature Organics) Wormcastings 285 grams (Nurturing Nature Organics) Humic acid 30 ml (extract, Tecologic Products, AB) Humic acid 30 ml (extract, Tecologic Products, AB) Seaweed 30 ml ( Seaweed 30 ml (Ascophyllum n.Ascophyllum n., Logic Alliance, NS), Logic Alliance, NS) Fish fertiliser 15 ml (North Atlantic fish, NS) Fish fertiliser 15 ml (North Atlantic fish, NS)

Standard RecipeStandard Recipe

Bob’s BrewersBob’s Brewers

http://www.nettime.com/bobsbrew/products.htmlhttp://www.nettime.com/bobsbrew/products.html

Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington

http://www.nettime.com/bobsbrew/products.html

Compost tea experimentsCompost tea experimentsTesting at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta, 2006Testing at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta, 2006

Varying duration of compost activation08-00182Apr 3

Varying length of brewing08-00190Apr 7

Varying amounts of RootShield08-00252May 29

Ingredients but no compost08-00166Feb 13

Compost with one ingredient only08-00170Feb 27

Compost alone or worm castings alone08-00171Mar 06

Varying duration of water aeration08-00174Mar 20

Using different composts08-00179Mar 27

Varying amounts of fish fertiliser08-00163Feb 06

Varying amounts of seaweed08-00161Jan 23

Varying amounts of humic acid08-00160Jan 16

Variation in recipeLab reportDate

Compost tea experimentsCompost tea experimentsTesting at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta, 2007Testing at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta, 2007

Compost activation with baby oatmeal 08-00373April 9

Varying temperature08-00376April 16

Fermentation – Varying ratios08-00381April 24

Using different water sources08-00455Nov 19

Using a different worm casting products08-00364March 12

Using new (2007) worm castings08-00360March 5

Using old (2006) worm castings08-00358Feb. 26


Compost tea experimentsCompost tea experimentsTesting at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta, Testing at Soil FoodWeb Inc., Vulcan Alberta,

2008 and 20092008 and 2009

Using different water sources08-001378Feb. 2

Varying amounts of Yucca08-001369Jan. 26

Activation with Yucca08-001387Feb. 16

Varying amounts of juice and pulp08-001080March 10

Home made brewers08-001078March 3

Brewer size08-000464Feb. 25


ResultsResults

1) Quality control1) Quality control 2) Impact of compost activation2) Impact of compost activation 3) Impact of humic acid3) Impact of humic acid 4) Impact of seaweed4) Impact of seaweed 5) Impact of fish fertiliser5) Impact of fish fertiliser 6) Impact of brewing duration6) Impact of brewing duration 7) Impact of a home made brewers7) Impact of a home made brewers

ResultsResults


---------44691213 Feb0831277239678427 Feb05751386315870406 Mar4575363164425627220 Mar43164413863281152027 Mar

4263

831

8318575

Amoeba(# / ml)

4

4

2

Ciliate(# / ml)

57536

5753

460613863

Flagellate(# / ml)

2757603 Apr

3471686 Feb

251203223 Jan20755216 Jan

Fungi(total, ppm)

Bacteria(total, ppm)

Date

Microbial content of compost teaMicrobial content of compost teaprepared with K.I.S. brewer and standard recipeprepared with K.I.S. brewer and standard recipe

Results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan to May 2006Results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan to May 2006

ResultsResults


0

50

100

150

200

250

Target 0 tbsp 6 tbsp 24 tbsp 48 tbsp

Tota

l fun

gui b

iom

ass

in p

pmPre-activation of compostPre-activation of compost

Impact on fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Feb 2006Impact on fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Feb 2006Amount of baby oatmeal, activation 4 days, Amount of baby oatmeal, activation 4 days, Bob’s Brewer 15 litersBob’s Brewer 15 liters

ResultsResults


““Seedlings grown on [humic acid]-treated Seedlings grown on [humic acid]-treated germination papers had higher dry root germination papers had higher dry root weights than those grown on [deionized weights than those grown on [deionized

water] or [nutrient control] -treated water] or [nutrient control] -treated germination papers.”germination papers.”

Article: “Effect of Humic Acids on Growth of Article: “Effect of Humic Acids on Growth of Annual Ornamental Seedling Plugs” Annual Ornamental Seedling Plugs”

Evans and Li. 2003. HortTechnologyEvans and Li. 2003. HortTechnology

About Humic Acid

0

50

100

Target No humic Humic 15 ml Humic 30 ml Humic 120 ml

Tota

l fun

gi b

iom

ass

in p

pm

Humic acid in compost teaHumic acid in compost teaImpact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006

Tecologic Multi-dynamic Humic extract in Bob’s Brewer 15 litersTecologic Multi-dynamic Humic extract in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters

Standard

3570

575

1386

831

Amoeba(# / ml)

0

0

0

0

Ciliates(# / ml)

5753

5753

5753

5753

Flagellate(# / ml)

159344120 ml

72896030 ml

191075215 ml

2385760 ml

Fungi(total, ppm)


Treatment

Humic acid in compost teaHumic acid in compost teaImpact on total fungi, resuls from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, resuls from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006


---

---

Amoeba(# / ml)

---

---

Ciliates(# / ml)

---

---

Flagellate(# / ml)

025Humicacid only

258448Standardtea recipe

Fungi(total, ppm)


Treatment

Humic acid in compost teaHumic acid in compost teaImpact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006


ResultsResults


““It is well documented that commercial It is well documented that commercial seaweed preparations improve plant growth. seaweed preparations improve plant growth. Many of these effects have been attributed to Many of these effects have been attributed to

the presence of growth substances, the presence of growth substances, particularly the cytokinins …”particularly the cytokinins …”

About Seaweed

Article: “Identification of Auxins in a Article: “Identification of Auxins in a Commercial Seaweed Concentrate” Commercial Seaweed Concentrate”

Crouch et al. 1992. J Plant PhysiologyCrouch et al. 1992. J Plant Physiology

0

50

100

Target No kelp Kelp 15 ml Kelp 30 ml Kelp 120 ml

Tota

l fun

gi b

iom

ass

in p

pm

Seaweed in compost teaSeaweed in compost teaImpact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006

Turbo SE 0-4-4 (Turbo SE 0-4-4 (Ascophyllum n.Ascophyllum n.) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters

Standard

ResultsResults


““These results suggest that fish emulsion has These results suggest that fish emulsion has both nutritive value for plant growth as well asboth nutritive value for plant growth as well as

disease suppressive properties.”disease suppressive properties.”

About Fish Emulsion

Article:Article: “Suppression of Rhizoctonia and Pythium “Suppression of Rhizoctonia and Pythium damping-off of radish and cucumber seedlings by damping-off of radish and cucumber seedlings by

addition of fish emulsion to peat mix or soil” addition of fish emulsion to peat mix or soil” Abbasi, Conn, Lazarovits 2004. Canadian Journal of Plant PathologyAbbasi, Conn, Lazarovits 2004. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology

0

50

100

Target No fish Fish 7.5 ml Fish 15 ml Fish 60 ml

Tota

l fun

gi b

iom

ass

in p

pm

Fish fertiliser in compost teaFish fertiliser in compost teaImpact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006

Turbo SE 0-4-4 (Turbo SE 0-4-4 (Ascophyllum n.Ascophyllum n.) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters

Standard

0

0.5

1

Water only No fish Fish 7.5 ml Fish 15 ml Fish 60 ml

Elec

tric

al C

ondu

ctiv

ity v

alue

Fish fertiliser in compost teaFish fertiliser in compost tea In-house EC testing with Hannah digital pens, January 2006 In-house EC testing with Hannah digital pens, January 2006 Nutrifish SE 2-3-1 (Nutrifish SE 2-3-1 (Ascophyllum n.Ascophyllum n.) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters) in Bob’s Brewer 15 liters

Standard

Compost teaCompost tea:: nutrient quality nutrient qualityK.I.S. 5-gallon brewer + K.I.S compost and ingredientsK.I.S. 5-gallon brewer + K.I.S compost and ingredients

Testing at Griffin Laboratories, Kelowna, 2004Testing at Griffin Laboratories, Kelowna, 2004

5.67.6pH

418.67.9Potassium (ppm)

10.31.1Phosphorus (ppm)

118.00Nitrogen (ppm)

2.700.20Conductivity

Compost tea(K.I.S. commercial tea)

Tap water(City of

Kelowna)

Analysis

ResultsResults


0

50000

100000

150000

1 hour 5 hours 12 hours 21 hours 48 hours 70 hours

Num

ber o

f fla

gella

tes

/ ml s

olut

ion

Duration of compost tea brewingDuration of compost tea brewingImpact on flagellates, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Feb 2006Impact on flagellates, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Feb 2006

Standard recipe, samples collected at intervals, stored in a refrigeratorStandard recipe, samples collected at intervals, stored in a refrigerator

Standard

Components of soil foodwebComponents of soil foodwebFruit crop ecology and management», Michigan State University, 2002Fruit crop ecology and management», Michigan State University, 2002

ResultsResults


http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Tea/tea1.htm

0

5

10

15

20

25

Target Bob's Bitti Pen. State Teaming Jaybee

Tota

l fun

gi b

iom

ass

in p

pmHome Made BrewersHome Made Brewers

Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Impact on total fungi, results from Soil FoodWeb Canada, Jan 2006Different 5 gallon brewerDifferent 5 gallon brewer

Standard

http://www.simplici-tea.com/

http://www.composttea.com/

Summary of ResultsSummary of Results 1) Compost quality is important.1) Compost quality is important.

Quality of tea varies from each brew.Quality of tea varies from each brew. 2) Activation of compost increases fungi.2) Activation of compost increases fungi. 3) Humic acid increases total fungi.3) Humic acid increases total fungi.

4) Kelp (seaweed) increases total fungi. Has EC.4) Kelp (seaweed) increases total fungi. Has EC.

5) Fish emulsion increases total fungi.5) Fish emulsion increases total fungi.

6) The longer the duration the more protozoa.6) The longer the duration the more protozoa.

7) Home made brewers work, however, results 7) Home made brewers work, however, results vary.vary.

Overall SummaryOverall Summary

1) There are many factors that impact 1) There are many factors that impact a specific microbe in compost tea.a specific microbe in compost tea.

2) Knowing which factor increases, for 2) Knowing which factor increases, for example, fungi or protozoa, allows us example, fungi or protozoa, allows us to create different recipes, depending to create different recipes, depending on what microbe that is needed.on what microbe that is needed.

What’s nextWhat’s next

Application trialsApplication trials

Where is the application of compost Where is the application of compost tea useful?tea useful?

Thank youThank you

Sonja PetersSonja PetersCropHealth Advising & ResearchCropHealth Advising & Research

Kelowna, BCKelowna, BC

[email protected]@crophealth.com

http://www.crophealth.com/http://www.crophealth.com/