Plant Protection “Water extracts of properly prepared aerobic compost are suppressive to disease." (Riggle 1996; Ingham 2001) Disease Suppression “The number and quality of living organisms in the extracts (Compost Teas) are largely, but not exclusively, responsible for disease suppression.” (Weltzien 1991) Microbial Action “The disease suppressive effects of compost extracts are due directly to the actions of living microbes.” (IPM Practitioner Sept. 2001) Microbial Antagonists “When applied to foliage, beneficial microbes in the compost extract can compete with pathogens on the leaf surface for available space and nutrients. Some of the microbes are antagonists...that directly attack leaf pathogens.” Cook and Baker 1983, Ingham 2001) Microbial Biocontrol “Foliar sprays of compost teas (extracted solutions)...combine some of the best features of foliar feeding and microbial biocontrol.” (Alexander 1986; Cook and Baker 1983) Free of Disease "Compost tea contains millions of bacterial, fungi and other microorganisms that work to keep garden plants, turf, and economic crops free of disease.” (IPM Practitioner, Sept. 2001) Note: Sources will be listed in the Reference Section of this Website.