Blue Crab Shells and JB Grubs and Other Bugs and Chitin

[GrowSeeds]

I have not tried this and is just for your information fellow Tomatoville Members.
Maybe some Tomatoville Members will find it helpful or interesting.

Correspondence to and from Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana edited

To
Distinguished Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana

Dear Distinguished Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana
I came across your writings listed at your web page [...}
and if you can let me know if crab shell chitin is good for the home gardener to decrease nematodes in the garden. [...]
I read somewhere that white grubs have chitin to eat with and was also wondering if crab shell chitin would effect them.


From
Distinguished Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana

Dear [...]
Incorporating crab shells or crab shell chitin in soil will significantly suppress nematode problems in home gardens. The amounts needed are equivalent to 4-5 tons/acre. The material should be incorporated and is most effective if it is covered with clear plastic mulch for a period of no less than 3 weeks. This allows for decomposition of the material and estimualtion of chitinolytic microorgisms in soil. These microorganisms are inimical to nematodes, insects, and anything that contains chitin. I cannot answer your question on grubs but my guess is that they would also be affected. There will be a lot of nitrogen in the soil following treatment with chitin or crab shells, so you would need to check soil pH and add lime if necessary. Also, I would recommend that you plant first vegetables or plants that require high nitrogen levels, e.g., corn.

I added the bold to the message as I understand that sense he is not a JB Grub expert he can not say about them but that anything that has chitin it will work on.
LINKS

web page of Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana
http://www.auburn.edu/~rodrirr/

papers by Professor Rodrigo Rodrigus - Kábana
http://www.auburn.edu/~rodrirr/publi...blications.htm