Trichoderma

Trichoderma harzianum (from Wikimedia)

Trichoderma spp. is a beneficial soil fungus that is used as a fungicide. It is applied as a foliar application, seed treatment and soil treatment for suppression of various fungal pathogens. It is useful for treatment of Botrytis, Fusarium, Penicillium and other fungal diseases and is also used for manufacturing enzymes. Commercial biotech companies currently are selling and are researching new fancy and expensive products – but there is a very inexpensive way to access it – cornmeal.

  Trichoderma colony in nature (from Wikimedia)

Trichoderma spp. fungi that are present in nearly all soils. They readily colonize plant roots and some strains are rhizosphere competent i.e., able to grow on roots as they develop. Trichoderma also attack, parasitize and gain nutrition from other fungi. They have evolved numerous mechanisms for both attack of fungi and for enhancing plant and root growth. Different strains of Trichoderma control almost every pathogenic fungus. However, some strains are more efficient for control of some pathogens than others, and may be largely ineffective against some fungi.

Trichoderma are actually a major source of contamination and crop loss for mushroom farmers. Makes sense.

Cornmeal works by providing and stimulating Trichoderma. In the organic program the amendments that strongly fire up soil microbes are key to having strong plant growth and crop production. This major category includes the sugars – molasses, cornmeal and the living organism products. Any sugar will work. You can use white sugar, old cookies and cakes, etc. but one of the best is dry molasses because of its trace minerals.

  Commercial agricultural uses of Trichoderma have been
  around for decades.

What is special about the application of whole ground cornmeal is that while it functions as a sugar because it converts so efficiently into sugar, it also stimulates beneficial fungi (Trichoderma) that neutralize pathogens in the soil. Apply cornmeal at about 20 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. There are liquid and dry commercial products that contain beneficial microbes or efficiently stimulate the microbes already in the soil. They are helpful to use at the recommended rates on the products. Cornmeal tea can also be used for disease control. Soak 1 cup of whole ground cornmeal in 5 gallons of water for an hour, strain out the solids. Spray plants or drench on the soil around plants.

One listener, David, shared the following:

Coffee is food which is immediately available to the soil microbes. This means that it can be used directly on the ground as an organic fertilizer. The direct application rate is 10 - 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. If you can get it in unlimited quantities for free, I'd tend to use it at 20 - 40 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. More than that and you can smother grass but also stink up the neighborhood as it decomposes. Under plants you can use a heaping handful (or three) under each plant every month.

Coffee tends to get a green or blue-green fungus growing on it. The green one is really beneficial (Trichoderma species) while the blue-green one is modestly beneficial. In any case, moldy coffee is GREAT to use directly in the garden.

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