Q. I was reading your blog about worm castings, the chitinase
enzyme produced by worms and its ability to control insects. Chitinase has been
proven to degrade the chitin that holds insect skeletons together. Chitin is necessary
for strong insect exoskeletons. So, using worm castings in garden soils will
control insects.
enzyme produced by worms and its ability to control insects. Chitinase has been
proven to degrade the chitin that holds insect skeletons together. Chitin is necessary
for strong insect exoskeletons. So, using worm castings in garden soils will
control insects.
 |
| Homemade worm castings from red wigglers in an earthworm bin. |
A. Scientists think this may be true about worm castings
are vermicompost, but the research hasn’t linked everything together yet.
Chitinase occurs in the soil because of earthworms but does this chitinase
control insects? Is the soil transferring this chitinase to the plants? Some
preliminary research claims it can. The research is going on right now to find
out how much value chitinase has controlling problem insects in the garden.
are vermicompost, but the research hasn’t linked everything together yet.
Chitinase occurs in the soil because of earthworms but does this chitinase
control insects? Is the soil transferring this chitinase to the plants? Some
preliminary research claims it can. The research is going on right now to find
out how much value chitinase has controlling problem insects in the garden.
Insect pests controlled
Studies report that Vermicompost application suppressed 20 – 40% pest problems arising from aphids, mealybugs, cabbage white caterpillars on pepper, cabbage and tomato.
Gardens
are filled with insects. There are good insects and there are bad insects. Can the effects from earthworms only kill the “bad bugs” or will it also kill
the “good bugs”? This is why more research is needed.
are filled with insects. There are good insects and there are bad insects. Can the effects from earthworms only kill the “bad bugs” or will it also kill
the “good bugs”? This is why more research is needed.
This is
a similar problem with some of the “organic” insect control chemicals. Soap
sprays and oils don’t differentiate between “good bugs” and “bad bugs”. They
kill them both. We have to rely on our knowledge about “good bugs” and “bad
bugs” and how it might be applied to control only the “bad guys”.
a similar problem with some of the “organic” insect control chemicals. Soap
sprays and oils don’t differentiate between “good bugs” and “bad bugs”. They
kill them both. We have to rely on our knowledge about “good bugs” and “bad
bugs” and how it might be applied to control only the “bad guys”.
Plant disease controlled
There is some evidence worm castings or Vermicompost inhibited some fungal diseases as well as some nematodes in field trials with pepper, tomatoes, strawberries and grapes. It is believed the reason is microbial antagonism. The same effects have been found in manure and compost applications. Sterilizing both of Verma compost, manure and compost removed these effects.
When only one plant disease was studied, the disease suppression was not as good when the Vermicompost was made from sewage sludge.
Okay. Now lets connect the dots. Show the research for pest control in crops, in particular those that are pests. Thanks.