The Science of Soil Health: Fighting Plant Disease with Microbes

One of the critical functions of healthy soils is that they contain beneficial microbes that can enhance plant defense against disease, and sometimes against insects; our journey took us to Clemson's Dr. Geoff Zehnder to talk about his work.

Dr. Geoff Zehnder is a professor of entomology and his primary responsibility is to support the sustainable agriculture program at Clemson University. Dr. Zehnder's other projects include the Clemson Student Organic Farm and Farmer's Market, and the Clemson Heirloom Vegetable Garden. He also supervises graduate work on a host of topics including biological controls, integrated pest management (IPM), fertility in organic farms, composting and soil amendments.

[thekopys]

So what do I need to do to stop cucumber beetles in my small garden? How do I make a "slurry"?

[gsmscrazycanuck]

Your missing a piece of data for me. What was the BRIX readings for the treated and control? I find that high BRIX plants don't have disease and insects won't touch them.

[Trey]

Hello, Do you guys know of any rhizo-bacteria based fertilizer or additive that I can use on a few sick trees?