Articles
PROBLEMS OF SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI IN PEAT FREE GROWING MEDIA
Article number
548_27
Pages
243 – 246
Language
English
Abstract
Schlechte (1997) has recently considered problems associated with visible growths of saprophytic fungi in peat media.
These fungi often developed in peat media when the medium was in contact with soil or other materials with a high and diverse microbial population.
In our studies and consultancy activities over several years, particularly high levels of colonisation by saprophytic fungi have often been observed where growers have mixed unsterilised soil and peat to produce ‘home made’ potting mixtures.
Such problems are also common in some types of peat free media, notably those derived from composted materials including wood wastes and bark Peziza spp. have been regularly observed in stored bags of wood based peat free growing media as well as in trays and pots containing such media.
Moulds of actinomycete fungi commonly develop in media containing bark and timber waste.
The emergence and appearance of ‘white blooms’ of actinomycetes or the development of macroscopic fungi may deter customers of garden centres and other retail outlets from purchasing the product in question, despite the fact that the fungal growth may reflect the suitable nutrient status and physical conditions of such a medium! These fungi undoubtedly originate in the materials from which the growing medium is formulated, and their sporadic development may be difficult and/or uneconomic to control.
These fungi often developed in peat media when the medium was in contact with soil or other materials with a high and diverse microbial population.
In our studies and consultancy activities over several years, particularly high levels of colonisation by saprophytic fungi have often been observed where growers have mixed unsterilised soil and peat to produce ‘home made’ potting mixtures.
Such problems are also common in some types of peat free media, notably those derived from composted materials including wood wastes and bark Peziza spp. have been regularly observed in stored bags of wood based peat free growing media as well as in trays and pots containing such media.
Moulds of actinomycete fungi commonly develop in media containing bark and timber waste.
The emergence and appearance of ‘white blooms’ of actinomycetes or the development of macroscopic fungi may deter customers of garden centres and other retail outlets from purchasing the product in question, despite the fact that the fungal growth may reflect the suitable nutrient status and physical conditions of such a medium! These fungi undoubtedly originate in the materials from which the growing medium is formulated, and their sporadic development may be difficult and/or uneconomic to control.
Authors
W.R. Carlile
Keywords
microorganisms; composting; bark; timber; peat
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