For soil application, is has been recommended to use a volume sufficient to reach the root area (Brinton 1995, Scheueller 2002, Ingham 2005). Soil application is thought to protect the roots from potential colonization of root pathogens and promote healthier plants. For foliar application, compost tea is diluted 1:4 or 1:6 with water prior to application. It has been proposed that maximum coverage of leaf surface area may necessary for the beneficial microbes in the tea to outcompete colonization by plant pathogens, however, frequent and repeated applications are needed to maintain the surface coverage (Ingham 2005).