For a food crop to be considered organic, it must not have certain kinds of chemicals used on it during production. Does anyone know of any way to kill or prevent molds on plants that does not invalidate them as an organic food?
I’ve heard something about Silver Nitride … does anyone know how to use it and a supplier for the stuff? Thanks.
Silver nitrate is as chemical as they come. Probably not something that is useful in organic farming.. or if it is I will rethink buying organic!
To prevent mould, probably key is planting to ensure proper airflow between plants in order to ensure that excess moisture can evaportate in order to reduce the amount of time that a plant is wet, thus reducing the chance that mold will develop, as mold is a wet condition lover.
Watering or irrigating at the proper time of day in order to ensure that plants (leaves especially) do not stay wet. Irrigating roots only, which usually are not prone to mold.
Selecting resistant plants would certainly help. Plants that are prone to mold, there are often mold resistant cultivars that would be available, and due to their resistance, would be less likely to develop mold problems.
Rotating plantings would help, as plants that grow in the same area year after year are prone to the diseases affecting the year before.
Maintaining strong plants through good watering, fertilization, and plantings is probably key. Stong "immune systems" on plants, like people, are less likely to suffer from disease. Many manure preparations are useful for combatting disease and improving plant hardiness.
Utilizing clean cultivation techniques by cleaning all equipment between crops, therefore less likely to spread mold or disease through crops.