Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 2006, Vol. 24, pp.

165–180
0144-8765/06 $10
© 2006 A B Academic Publishers
Printed in Great Britain

Foliar Spraying of Vermicompost

Extracts: Effects on Fruit Quality
and Indications of Late-Blight
Suppression of Field-Grown
Tomatoes

Johann G. Zaller*

Institute of Organic Agriculture, University of Bonn, Germany

ABSTRACT

The effect of foliar sprays with aqueous vermicompost extracts on growth, yields, morphological
and chemical fruit quality and natural infection with late blight disease (Phytophthora infestans
(Mont.) de Bary)) on three tomato varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Diplom F1, cv.
0DWLQD FY 5KHLQODQGV 5XKP ZDV LQYHVWLJDWHG LQ D ¿HOG H[SHULPHQW ([WUDFWV ZHUH SUHSDUHG RI
vermicompost produced from fruit, vegetable and cotton waste by redworms (Eisenia fetida Sav.,
Lumbricidae); tap water served as control treatment. Foliar application (spraying) of vermicompost
extracts did not affect plant growth, biomass or nutrient allocation, or yields and number of fruits
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ÀRZHUV SURGXFHG )ROLDU YHUPLFRPSRVW VSUD\LQJ HLWKHU LQFUHDVHG RU GHFUHDVHG SHHO ¿UPQHVV
dependent on tomato variety and increased fruit circumference consistently as well as contents of
nitrogen but decreased L-ascorbic acid compared with water sprayed fruits. All other measured
parameters of fruit quality (dry matter, C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, glucose and fructose content) were
similar for vermicompost and water sprayed plants. Natural infection of leaves, stems and fruits by
P. infestans was generally very low under the experimental conditions; however, across varieties,
only half as many vermicompost sprayed plants showed clear signs of P. infestans infection as
water sprayed plants; the severity of the infection was unaffected by the two spraying treatments.
In conclusion, these results suggest that the use of vermicompost might be considered more in
organic farming not only as a substitute for peat in potting media but also as foliar sprays for
fertilization and biological disease prevention.

*johann.zaller@boku.ac.at
Present address: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Vienna, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria

165
166 -2+$11*=$//(5

INTRODUCTION

Organic amendments like farmyard manure or thermophilic compost have

long been recognized as effective means of improving soil fertility (Zaller &
Köpke, 2004) and suppressing plant diseases (Hoitink & Fahy, 1986). Evidence
is increasing that vermicomposts can also provide these effects (Edwards &
Burrows, 1988; Edwards et al., 2004). Vermicomposts are finely divided peat-
like materials with high porosity, aeration, drainage, water-holding capacities,
and low C:N ratios produced from organic wastes that have been stabilized
by interactions between high earthworm densities and microorganisms without
passing a thermophilic stage (Edwards, 1998b; Subler et al., 1998; Domínguez,
2004). These earthworm-processed composts contain high concentrations of
nutrients such as nitrates, exchangeable calcium, phosphorus and soluble
potassium that are taken up readily by plants and provide many microsites for
microbial activity and large surface areas for the strong retention of nutrients
(Edwards & Burrows, 1988). Additionally, vermicomposts have been reported
to have outstanding biological properties and support microbial populations
that are significantly larger and more diverse than those of conventional
thermophilic composts (Edwards, 1998a). Most studies regarding the impact
of compost and vermicompost on soil fertility and plant disease suppression
investigated effects as solid amendment (Addabdo, 1995; Edwards, 1998a;
Domínguez, 2004), less well investigated is their use as liquid extracts.
The application of aqueous compost extracts has been shown to reduce
diseases by necrotrophs as well as biotrophs (Weltzien, 1989; Fokkema,
1993; Al-Dahmani et al., 2003) and also aqueous extracts of vermicomposts
have been shown to depress soilborne pathogens and pests (Szczech et al.,
1993; Nakasone et al., 1999; Orlikowski, 1999; Rodríguez et al., 2000). The
underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood, but involvement of induced
resistance is considered (Fokkema, 1993). Since compost and vermicompost
extracts contain a high amount of nutrients, it is reasonable that these
extracts could also be used as foliar fertilizers. However, especially in organic
agriculture and horticulture, this field has rarely been investigated. Generally,
foliar sprays would offer a method of supplying nutrients to higher plants
more rapidly than methods involving soil and root application (Marschner,
1995). Especially under dry conditions with a lack of available water in the
topsoil and a corresponding decline in nutrient availability, foliar application
of nutrients is much more effective than soil application (Grundon, 1980).
Foliar sprays containing nutrients can also compensate for the decline in
nutrient uptake by roots with the onset of the reproductive stage as a result
of sink competition for carbohydrates (Trobisch & Schilling, 1970) and have
been shown to increase quality of grain (Powlson et al., 1989) and fruits
(Schumacher & Frankenhauser, 1968). Effects of added liquid eluates from
pots containing earthworms have been shown to increase dry matter production
 9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6 

of ryegrass (Graff & Markeschin, 1980). Later it was demonstrated that the
growth of ornamental plants after adding aqueous extracts from vermicompost
showed similar growth patterns as with the addition of auxins, gibberellins and
cytokinins through the soil (Grappelli et al., 1987; Tomati et al., 1988; Tomati
& Galli, 1995).
The main objectives of the current study were to assess (1) whether the
spraying of vermicompost extract can affect the growth, production and
allocation of biomass of three field-grown tomato varieties, (2) whether foliar
spraying can also influence the morphological and chemical fruit quality of
these tomato varieties in the field, and (3) whether vermicompost spraying
can contribute to a plant’s susceptibility to natural late-blight (Phytophthora
infestans) infection. This is a first proposal to find an unconventional method
to concurrently supply nutrients and suppress diseases in a way acceptable to
organic farming standards.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted in 2003 at the certified organic research farm of
the Institute of Organic Agriculture, University of Bonn, Germany (65 m a.s.l.;
7°17a E, 50°48a N; soil type: fluvisol). Long-term mean annual air temperature
at this location is 9.5°C, mean annual precipitation is about 770 mm. The year
2003 was exceptionally warm (mean annual air temperature: 10.2°C) and dry
(annual precipitation: 708 mm).

Plant material used

Three, classical globe-shaped, medium-sized (mean fruit fresh mass 85-90 g)

tomato varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum) with red, three-four chambered
fruits and medium shelf life were used: cv. Diplom F1 (cv. D) is a very early
maturing hybrid variety with medium yields, cv. Matina (cv. M) is very early
maturing and high yielding, cv. Rheinlands Ruhm (cv. RR) is characterized by
mid season maturation with high yields.
Certified organic seed material was germinated in cell plug trays filled with
commercial peat substrate consisting of about 70% peat moss, 20% green
waste compost and, additionally, organic fertilizer in its formulation (Klasmann
BioPotgrond, Groß Hesepe, Germany; average nutrient concentrations pH =
5.8, Ntot = 100 mg l–1, P2O5 = 300 mg l–1, K2O = 400 mg l–1, Mg = 150 mg l–1).
Seedlings were transplanted into pots (diameter 11 cm) after growing in plug
trays for 32 days and were planted into the field in a completely randomized
design after developing first flower buds (five replicate plants per variety; row
distance: 0.8 m, within row distance of plants: 0.4 m). No additional fertilizer
168 -2+$11*=$//(5

was applied to seedlings in plug trays and pots in the greenhouse. Field plants
were fertilized weekly with 10 g (fresh mass) of vermicompost applied on
the soil surface near the plant stem. Vermicompost used to fertilize plants
and to prepare extracts (see below) was produced by the earthworms Eisenia
fetida Sav. from fruit, vegetable and cotton waste using a windrow composting
system (Tacke Regenwurmfarm, Borken, Germany; chemical characteristics of
used vermicompost: pH = 6.5, N = 640 mg l–1, P2O5 = 1600 mg l–1, K2O =
6000 mg l–1, Mg = 710 mg l–1).

Preparation of vermicompost extracts

Aqueous extracts were prepared by mixing vermicompost with tap water at a

ratio of 1 : 2 (vol/vol), and storing this mixture at room temperature for about
24 h. Solution was freshly prepared before each application and was filtered
through a paper filter (Whatman No. 2) before applications with a hand sprayer
once a week over a period of 6 weeks. Spraying of a similar amount of tap
water served as control treatment (see Table 1 for average nutrient contents of
tap water and vermicompost extracts used).

Growth measurements, biomass production and yields

Growth of tomato plants was assessed weekly by measuring the maximum

height of the plant from the soil surface. Biomass allocation was determined
at the end of the experiment on aboveground parts cut off at soil surface and a
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biomass production also include shoots regularly clipped during the growing
season in order to produce good yields and fruit quality.
Marketable yield was calculated for each tomato plant as the sum of orange
and red fruits successively harvested until the end of the experiment. Total

TABLE 1

Average nutrient contents of tap water and vermicompost extracts used for foliar sprayings over
the course of the experiment.
Means ± SE, n = 6.

NO3-N NH4-N P2O5 K2O Ca Mg

(mg l–1) (mg l–1) (mg l–1) (mg l–1) (mg l–1) (mg l–1)

Tap water 4.36 ± 0.02 0.09 ± 0.02 0.11 ± 0.01 3.15 ± 0.13 20.75 ± 0.11 5.88 ± 0.01
Vermicompost
extract 47.71 ± 1.23 0.35 ± 0.02 3.08 ± 0.10 60.49 ± 1.94 58.91 ± 2.62 18.19 ± 0.58
 9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6 

yields additionally include fresh mass of green and low quality fruits present
at the end of the experiment or harvested at an earlier date.

Morphological and chemical parameters of fruit quality

Fruit quality was only assessed on fully orange and red fruits harvested from
similar heights of insertion on the tomato plant on three harvesting dates during
the experiment. After harvesting, the following morphological properties were
measured on at least five fruits per plant: circumference at the fruit equator,
firmness of peel along the fruit equator using a mechanical hardness tester
with a Shore A hardness scale ranging from 0–100 units (Type HP; Bareiss,
Oberdischingen, Germany) and fresh mass. After morphological measurements,
fruits including peel were homogenized using a household mixer. About half
of these fruits were used to determine ascorbic acid the remaining half was
freeze-dried for further analyses. Ascorbic acid was determined on fruit sap of
filtered homogenized fruit material based on the formation of formazan (Deneke
et al., 1978) using continuous flow analysis (Photometer 6000, Skalar, Breda,
The Netherlands; Brunsch et al., 2000). On the freeze-dried material all other
chemical fruit parameters were determined. C and N content was measured
using a CHN-analyser (type NA 1500N; Carlo Erba Instruments, Rodano, Italy).
Nitrate-N, ammonium-N and P concentrations were analysed using continuous
flow on a photometer (type 6010; Skalar, Breda, The Netherlands). K, Ca
and Mg concentrations were determined on an atomic-absorption-spectrometer
(type 2380; Perkin Elmer, Wellesley, MA, U.S.A.) after microwave extraction
(type MLS 1200; Milestone S.r.l., Sorisole, Italy). D-glucose and D-fructose
was determined on enzymatically produced NADPH (Schmidt, 1961) using an
UV spectrophotometer (Lamda 2, Perkin Elmer, Wellesley, MA, U.S.A.).

Estimation of infection with late blight

Efficacy of vermicompost spraying against spontaneous P. infestans infection on

tomato leaves, stems and fruits was determined on two dates in September 2003
using a 9-scale key (1. no signs of P. infestans on a particular plant part; 3, 5 and
7. 25%, 50% and 75% signs of P. infestans infestation of plant part, respectively;
9. 100% infestation, plant part dead; B. Horneburg, personal communication).

Statistical analyses

Overall relationships were analysed using a two-way analysis of variance

(ANOVA) with the general linear model in SAS (Version 8.02, SAS Institute,
 -2+$11*=$//(5

Cary, North Carolina, U.S.A.) with Variety and Spraying as the two factors.
In addition, separate t-tests were carried out for each variety to determine
the different variety-specific response patterns in more detail. Values given
throughout the text are means ± SE.

RESULTS

Growth, biomass production, allocation of biomass and nutrients,

yields

Shoot growth (average shoot length: cv. D 1931 ± 61 mm, cv. M 1809 ± 53
mm, cv. RR 1531 ± 46 mm), biomass production of shoots (average shoot
mass: cv. D 340.3 ± 35.6 g, cv. M 173.1 ± 28.5 g, cv. RR 316.5 ± 52.1 g)
and roots (average root mass: cv. D 45.7 ± 1.9 g, cv. M 40.5 ± 1.0 g, cv.
RR 42.6 ± 0.6 g) and root-shoot ratio (average R:S ratio: cv. D 0.15 ± 0.01
g g–1, cv. M 0.34 ± 0.06 g g–1, cv. RR 0.19 ± 0.03 g g–1) was significantly
different between tomato varieties, but was not affected by foliar spraying
of vermicompost extracts. Also carbon and nitrogen contents in shoots and
roots were significantly different between tested tomato varieties; however,
vermicompost spraying significantly affected only shoot C contents of cv. M
(372.7 ± 3.4 g kg–1 vs. 383.8 ± 3.1 g kg–1 for vermicompost sprayed vs.
water sprayed, respectively; p = 0.024) and root N contents of cv. D (23.9 ±
0.7 g kg–1 vs. 25.5 ± 0.4 g kg–1 for vermicompost sprayed vs. water sprayed,
respectively; p = 0.047) and marginally affected root C:N ratio of cv. D
(17.79 ± 0.57 vs. 16.75 ± 0.24 for vermicompost sprayed vs. water sprayed,
respectively; p = 0.082).
With the exception of one variety (cv. RR) number of flowers was
significantly affected by vermicompost spraying on several dates throughout
the growing season (Figure 1). Generally, plants sprayed with vermicompost
extract developed fewer flowers than plants sprayed with tap water only (Figure
1). Marketable yield, total yield and fresh mass per fruit was significantly
different between tested varieties and showed a trend towards higher values
when sprayed with vermicompost; however this trend was not statistically
significant (Table 2).

Fruit quality

Morphological fruit quality parameters like peel firmness and circumference

were significantly different between varieties and, with the exception of cv. D,
also affected by vermicompost spraying (Figure 2). While peel firmness for cv.
M was significantly higher from plants receiving vermicompost sprays, it was
 9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6 

cv. Diplom

water sprayed
30
VC sprayed

20 *
**
** *

10

0
27 28 30 31 33 34

30 **
Flowers (number plant–1)

**
20 **

10

0
27 28 30 31 33 34
cv. Rheinlands Ruhm

30

20

10

0
27 28 30 31 33 34

Week of 2003
FIGURE 1. Number of flowers of three field-grown tomato varieties (cv. D, cv. M, cv. RR) either
sprayed with tap water or vermicompost extract (VC sprayed). Asterisks above bars indicate
significant differences between treatments (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). Means ± SE (n = 5). Small
error bars are not shown.
 
TABLE 2

Marketable yield, mass per fruit of orange and red fruits and total yield (marketable yield plus yield of green fruits) of three field-grown tomato
varieties (cv. D, cv. M, cv. RR) either sprayed with water or with vermicompost extracts (VC sprayed). Means (n = 2–3). T-tests showed no significant
differences between water sprayed and VC sprayed parameters within varieties.

-2+$11*=$//(5
cv. D cv. M cv. RR

Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed

Marketable yield (g plant-1) 2752 ± 316 2792 ± 391 2095 ± 283 2538 ± 362 2387 ± 390 2914 ± 713
Total yield (g plant-1) 4301 ± 416 4247 ± 482 2923 ± 395 3254 ± 464 3891 ± 676 4385 ± 878
Fresh mass per fruit (g) 95 ± 4 100 ± 7 63 ± 4 66 ± 3 79 ± 6 82 ± 7
  9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6 

significantly lower in cv. RR (Figure 2). Fruit circumference was significantly

greater for cv. M and cv. RR when sprayed with vermicompost compared
with fruits from water-sprayed plants (Figure 2). Fruit dry matter content was
significantly different between the three tomato varieties (cv. D: 6.34 ± 0.11%,
cv. M: 7.21 ± 0.16%, cv. RR: 6.15 ± 0.29%), but was not significantly affected
by vermicompost spraying.
Chemical composition of marketable fruits significantly differed between
the three varieties for C, P, K, Ca, Mg, glucose and fructose contents, but was
only affected by vermicompost spraying for glucose in cv. D and Mg in cv.

50 ** 20
Peel firmness (shore A scale)

***

Fruit circumference (cm)

**
40
17.5
**
30
15
20
12.5
10

0 10
cv. D cv. M cv. RR cv. D cv. M cv. RR

water sprayed VC sprayed

3 40
Nitrogen content (mg g-1 d.m.)

**
L-ascorbic acid (mg g-1 d.m.)

** ***
*
2.5 30 **

2 20

1.5 10
cv. D cv. M cv. RR cv. D cv. M cv. RR

Tomato variety
FIGURE 2. Peel firmness, circumference, nitrogen and L-ascorbic acid content of fruits of three
field-grown tomato varieties (cv. D, cv. M, cv. RR) either sprayed with tap water or vermicompost
extract (VC sprayed). Asterisks above bars indicate significant differences between treatments
(* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Means ± SE (n = 5). Small error bars are not
shown.
 -2+$11*=$//(5

RR (Table 3). However, nitrogen content of fruits of cv. M and cv. RR was
significantly higher when plants have been sprayed with vermicompost extract
and content of L-ascorbic acid in fruits was significantly lower for all tomato
varieties in vermicompost sprayed plants compared with plants sprayed with
tap water only (Figure 2).

Infection with P. infestans

Generally, natural infection with P. infestans was very low during the
exceptional dry and hot experimental year. In total, only 18 out of 30 plants
(seven of cv. D, five of cv. M, six of cv. RR) showed clear symptoms of
a P. infestans infection (Table 4). Across varieties, twice as many water
sprayed plants showed clear signs of a P. infestans infection as vermicompost
sprayed plants (six vs. 12 plants for water sprayed vs. vermicompost sprayed
plants). The severity of the infection was similar between plants sprayed with
vermicompost extract or tap water (Table 4).

DISCUSSION

Foliar application of aqueous vermicompost extracts onto three field-grown

tomato varieties showed no significant effects on plant growth, or biomass and
nutrient allocation. Only the number of flowers produced was on several dates
significantly reduced by vermicompost spraying; however, this did not translate
into reductions in number of fruits or yield produced. The lack of any growth
or yield stimulation was surprising given the high contents of readily available
nutrients in vermicompost extracts, suggesting that tomato plants were able
to access sufficient nutrients from soil. Plants in this experiment have been
watered regularly and it remains to be investigated whether foliar applications
would also be ineffective in drier conditions where foliar fertilization has
been shown to be especially effective (Grundon, 1980). So far, no other study
tested effects of vermicompost sprays on plant growth and biomass production
of tomatoes. However, there is ample evidence that vermicompost added
to horticultural container mixtures stimulates growth and fruit quality of a
variety of crop species, including tomatoes (Siminis et al., 1998; Atiyeh et al.,
2000; Arancon et al., 2003; Zaller, 2006). Recent laboratory and greenhouse
research has provided evidence that earthworm activity on organic matter can
lead to the production of water-extractable plant growth influencing substances
in quantities that could significantly influence crop germination, growth,
flowering and yields (Edwards et al., 2004). Therefore, it is reasonable that
vermicomposts consisting of an amalgamate of humified earthworm faeces and
organic matter can also stimulate plant growth as plant extracts.
 
TABLE 3

9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6
Chemical quality parameters of marketable fruits of three field-grown tomato varieties (cv. D, cv. M, cv. RR) either sprayed with water or with
vermicompost extract (VC sprayed). Means (n = 2-3). Asterisks after each parameter refer to significant differences of means within a variety:
*p < 0.10, ns.not significant.

cv. D cv. M cv. RR

Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed

ns ns ns
Carbon (mg g-1) 48.6 ± 0.1 48.7 ± 0.1 48.3 ± 0.1 48.4 ± 0.1 48.1 ± 0.1 47.9 ± 0.3
ns ns ns
Phosphorus (mg kg-1) 50.8 ± 0.9 50.4 ± 0.9 46.5 ± 0.6 46.2 ± 0.6 45.8 ± 0.6 45.9 ± 1.7
ns ns ns
Potassium (mg kg-1) 463.0 ± 7.5 460.4 ± 5.1 465.7 ± 8.6 466.5 ± 7.5 431.9 ± 7.0 468.1 ± 8.0
ns ns ns
Calcium (mg kg-1) 10.4 ± 0.3 9.3 ± 0.2 9.7 ± 0.7 9.6 ± 0.3 11.0 ± 0.2 10.7 ± 0.5
ns ns
Magnesium (mg kg-1) 15.2 ± 0.2 15.1 ± 0.3 15.5 ± 0.7 14.8 ± 0.2 14.1 ± 0.2 14.3 ± 0.4 *
ns ns
Glucose (mg g-1) 22.9 ± 0.3 23.3 ± 0.2 * 21.6 ± 0.2 21.9 ± 0.2 22.1 ± 0.2 21.7 ± 0.4
ns ns ns
Fructose (mg g-1) 28.3 ± 0.2 27.9 ± 0.2 26.9 ± 0.3 27.2 ± 0.2 27.6 ± 0.3 26.9 ± 0.4


 
TABLE 4

Degree of Phytophthora infestans infection of leaves, stems and fruits of three field-grown tomato varieties (cv. D, cv. M, cv. RR) either sprayed
with tap water or vermicompost extracts (VC sprayed). Total number of plants infected by P. infestans: 18. Means (n = 2–3). T-tests showed

-2+$11*=$//(5
only significant differences between water sprayed and VC sprayed parameters for cv. D (* p < 0.06).
Scale used to estimate infection: 1. no infection, 9. heavy infection.

cv. D cv. M cv. RR

Plant part infected
Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed Water sprayed VC sprayed

Leaves 4.5 ± 0.5 3.0 ± 0.0* 3.6 ± 0.6 4.0 ± 1.0 3.4 ± 0.4 3.0 ± 0.0
Stems 2.0 ± 0.5 2.3 ± 0.6 1.0 ± 0.0 2.0 ± 1.0 1.4 ± 0.4 1.0 ± 0.0
Fruits 2.0 ± 0.5 1.0 ± 0.0* 2.3 ± 0.6 2.0 ± 1.0 1.4 ± 0.4 1.0 ± 0.0
 9(50,&203267(;75$&76$1'720$72(6 

Effects on fruit quality

Given the absence of effects of vermicompost spraying on growth and biomass

production of tomato plants it was remarkable to see alterations in some
morphological and chemical fruit quality parameters. While peel firmness was
either higher or lower dependent on the tomato variety, vermicompost spraying
consistently increased fruit size (measured by its circumference) as well as
contents of nitrogen but decreased L-ascorbic acid compared with water
sprayed fruits. Most of the other determined nutrient contents in fruits remained
unaffected by vermicompost spraying. Since alterations of fruit quality cannot
be explained by differences in growth or allocation patterns it can be assumed
that factors directly associated with or benefited by vermicompost extract
spraying are responsible for these effects on fruit quality. Although microbial
properties of the vermicompost extracts used have not been investigated in the
current study, it can be assumed that similarly to conventional thermophilic
compost microbial populations or humic substances present in the extracts can
influence fruit quality (Edwards et al., 2004).

Effects on P. infestans infection

In the current experiment, only half as many plants sprayed with vermicompost
were infected with P. infestans as water sprayed tomatoes. Assuming that
pathogen pressure on plants was similar among treatments, this is a clear
indication that vermicompost spraying can influence susceptibility of all
three tomato varieties to P. infestans. Tissue N concentration altered by
vermicompost spraying might also interact with the susceptibility of tomato
plants to pathogens, although some pathogens have shown to be stimulated
and others suppressed with increasing tissue N concentrations (Hoffland et
al., 2000). Little is known about the use of vermicompost extracts; however it
can be assumed that similarly to thermophilic compost also for vermicompost
the presence of microorganisms is a prerequisite for its biological activity
(Stindt & Weltzien, 1988; Edwards et al., 2004). Extracts from thermophilic
compost proved to be effective against various fungal diseases of leaves and
fruits especially when applied prophylactically (Weltzien, 1989; Scheuerell
& Mahaffee, 2002). Application of vermicompost sprays definitely requires
further investigations, including whether induced resistance is involved or
effects are cumulative for instance when vermicompost was an amendent to
soil and sprayed (Samerski & Weltzien, 1988). Experience with compost sprays
shows that the mechanisms of action of compost extracts differ, depending on
the host-pathogen system used and that heat disinfected extracts are rather
ineffective (Weltzien, 1989), it remains to be investigated whether this is also
the case for vermicompost.
 -2+$11*=$//(5

In conclusion, these results show that spraying of aqueous vermicompost

extracts has the potential for variety-specific alterations of tomato fruit quality
and also might alter biomass production and yields under certain circumstances.
Perhaps more importantly, results indicate that vermicompost spraying reduced
the susceptibility of tomato plants to P. infestans infection and might thus
have a high potential as a biocontrol agent in organic farming. The current
study covers one season only, thus results obtained should be taken cautiously
and clearly more investigations under both controlled and field conditions are
necessary to test the consistency and functional relationships of the effects
reported here. These results suggest that the use of vermicompost should be
considered more in organic farming because it is not only an environmentally
sound substitute for peat in horticultural growth media but may also have
potential for foliar nutrient application and biological disease prevention and
control.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is very grateful to Alexandra Donati, Harriet Leese, Stephanie

Lenzen, Sonja Reinhardt, Henning Riebeling, Ute Schlee, Johannes Siebigteroth,
Birgit Stöcker, Frank Täufer, Benedick Roy Usher and Dieter Zedow for their
excellent help and advice in the laboratory and the field.

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(Received 14 September 2004; accepted 30 March 2006)