Previous work demonstrated that grape phylloxera-associated damage to vines is less in organically managed than conventionally managed soils. We hypothesized that the amount of soil organic matter and soil ecology were involved. Greenhouse study showed that the phenomenon occurred with sterilized or living compost but was not seen with nitrogen fertilization. A field study was conducted by planting vines in soil augmented with compost or not. After 2-3 years observations, vines showed variable results with some observations supporting the treatment effects seen in the greenhouse, but others not.
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA