The microbes found in vermicompost can help protect plants from disease. Using line animation and video microscopy, we describe how the plant pathogen, pythium aphanidermatum is unable to infect a germinating cucumber seed planted in a potting mix containing vermicompost. Vermicompost is the compost made by worms digesting organic material. This new research holds promise for the greenhouse industry in finding organic solutions to the biologic control of plant pathogens.

This video won the Grand Prize in the American Phytopathological Society’s Office of Public Relations and Outreach 2010 video contest.