Worm Compost Suppresses Insect Attacks

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By Charlie Nardozzi

It's been widely known that mixing worm compost or "vermicompost" into soils growing flower and vegetables will reduce plant diseases and add significantly more nutrients to the soil than regular compost. Now, research at the Ohio State University Soil Ecology Laboratory suggests that vermicompost can suppress insect damage as well.

Researchers grew tomatoes, peppers, and beans in a greenhouse; some of the plants were grown in pure potting mix, while others were grown in potting mix containing either 20 or 40 percent vermicompost. All plants were exposed to aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. The plants grown in the vermicompost pots showed significantly less insect damage than those grown in plain potting soil. Researchers speculate that the vermicompost may change the composition of the plant tissue, making it less attractive to the insects.

While more research is needed to further understand the mechanism of vermicompost's effect on plants, it's clear that adding worm compost to your containers and garden will aid your plants in many ways.

For more information, go to this article about the vermicompost research.

About Charlie Nardozzi
Thumb of 2020-06-04/Trish/0723fdCharlie Nardozzi is an award winning, nationally recognized garden writer, speaker, radio, and television personality. He has worked for more than 30 years bringing expert gardening information to home gardeners through radio, television, talks, tours, on-line, and the printed page. Charlie delights in making gardening information simple, easy, fun and accessible to everyone. He's the author of 6 books, has three radio shows in New England and a TV show. He leads Garden Tours around the world and consults with organizations and companies about gardening programs. See more about him at Gardening With Charlie.
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