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Soil borne diseases caused by fungi and nematodes
result in high crop losses worldwide. The pesticides required for
disease control can cause substantial environmental damage, affecting
wild life, the soil and water. There is a strong need for an environmentally
friendly product capable of controlling soil fungi and nematodes.
The most probable mode of action of a chitin-based product is by
stimulating the growth of certain soil microorganisms, such as actinomycetes,
which have a chitinolytic activity. |
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| However the natural actinomycete
flora will vary with location. Soils that have had a high input
of agrochemicals or have been sterilised will have a more restrictive
microflora. In such locations, the addition of chitin alone may
not result in a suppressive effect on the soil-borne pathogens.
The aim of this project was to develop a commercial product, consisting
of processed crustacean waste plus actinomycetes with strong anti-fungal
or anti-nematode activity.
1995-97
Environment & Resource Technology Ltd, Edinburgh,
Scotland
Errigal Eisc Teoranta
Marine Institute
Brian Carney – Lecturer
E-mail: brian.carney@lyit.ie
John Slater – Lecturer
Email: john.slater@lyit.ie
2004 Carney, B., Slater, J., Coyle, M., Mulholland,
S., Carney, A. & O’Meara, N.
Added-value to crustacean-processing waste.
Presented at TecNet Marine Research Workshop, GMIT 24-25th Mar
2004.
1997 Coyle, M., Carney B.F., Slater, J. & McNicoll,
I.
The development of a biopesticide from crustacean processing waste.
Science Research Colloquium, Sligo Institute of Technology, Sligo.
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