Progress 12/04/00 to 12/03/04
Outputs
The objective of these experiments was to determine whether leaf compost could partially or completely replace inorganic fertilizer in cut flower production. (1) Trials were done at two sites (loamy upland soil and sandy soil) for 3 years. Snapdragons, black-eyed Susans, cosmos, and zinnias were grown on compost-amended plots with chemical (10-10-10) fertilizer applied at either 1.5 t/ha (full rate) or 0.75 t/ha (half rate). Another set of compost-amended plots received no fertilizer. Compost was applied at a rate of 122 t/ha. Yields from these plots were compared to the control which received 1.5 t 10-10-10 /ha and no compost. For most flowers, leaf compost effectively replaced inorganic fertilizer in cut flower production and yields equivalent to unamended full-fertilized plots were attained. However, one year, when the growing season was unusually wet and cool on the sandy soil, half the rate of inorganic fertilizer and compost was required for maximum production.
(2) In another experiment, a bush variety of butternut squash was grown at both sites with the same treatments as the cut flowers. After three years, it was shown that, while compost did not reduce the need for inorganic fertilizer in butternut squash production as in other crops, it increased yields significantly when used with the full rate of fertilizer compared to unamended plots. The increased yield occurred after three years of compost amendments and was effective in both loamy upland soil and sandy terrace soil. (3) Another experiment, conducted at both sites, investigated the effect of mature and immature leaf compost on yield and disease resistance in tomatoes. The five treatments included mature compost incorporated into the soil, mature compost mulch, mature compost incorporated plus mature compost mulch, immature compost mulch, and unamended control. Incorporated compost was applied at a rate of 112 t/ha and mulch was applied to a depth of 5 cm. There were no differences
observed in yield or increased disease resistance between the treatments. (4) To determine the least amount of compost that was effective, beets, carrots, and rutabaga were grown at both sites in soil amended 112 t/ha, 56 t/ha, and 22 t/ha of leaf compost. Yields from these plots were compared to the unamended control plots. All plots received 1.5 t/ha of 5-10-10 fertilizer. This experiment showed that leaf compost applications could be reduced to 22 t/ha and still have some benefit. (5) Another experiment, conducted at both sites, investigated the effect of compost on the yield of onions and leeks. The 4 treatments included compost incorporated into the soil, compost mulch, compost incorporated into the soil plus compost mulch, and unamended control. Incorporated compost was applied at a rate of 112 t/ha and mulch was applied to a depth of 5 cm. For onions, the greatest yields were from plots mulched with compost (23 t/ha) with the smallest yields from the control plots and plots
with compost incorporated in the soil (18 t/ha). The greatest yields of leeks were from plots with incorporated compost (26 t/ha) and the unamended controls had the smallest yields (23 t/ha).
Impacts
One environmental concern in Connecticut is elevated levels of nitrate in the ground water and Long Island Sound. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, nutrients in compost are not immediately available but are released slowly at a rate in which plants can use most profitably for optimum growth. Less nitrogen in compost is available for leaching and this reduces the possibility of contamination of ground water. These studies have shown that utilization of compost as a soil amendment could reduce or eliminate the need for commercial inorganic fertilizer, resulting in a savings of about $200/acre. The long-term benefits are a cleaner environment with less pollution of ground water and reduced runoff of fertilizers into Long Island Sound. In addition, these and other studies have shown that yields of many crops increase as much as 73% on compost-amended soils leading to greater profits for the grower.
Publications
- Maynard, A.A. (2004) Using yard trimmings compost as fertilizer on vegetable crops BioCycle 45(5):48-51.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The objective of the first experiment was to determine whether leaf compost could partially replace inorganic fertilizer in butternut squash production. Trials were done at two sites (loamy upland soil (Mt. Carmel) and sandy soil (Windsor)) for 3 years. Bush butternut squash was grown on compost-amended plots with chemical (10-10-10) fertilizer applied at either 1.5 t/ha (full rate) or 0.75 t/ha (half rate). Another set of compost-amended plots received no fertilizer. Yields from these treatments were compared to the control, which received 1.5 t 10-10-10/ha and no compost. The average yields from Windsor were 3.2 kg/plant (full+compost), 2.7 kg/plant (half+compost), 1.9 kg/plant (compost only), and 3.2 kg/plant (control). Plots receiving the full rate of fertilizer plus compost averaged 5 fruits/plant compared to 4 fruits/plant (half+compost), 3 fruits/plant (compost only), and 4 fruits/plant (control). Yields from Mt. Carmel followed the same trends. This experiment
indicates that butternut squash, unlike other vegetables, requires the full rate of inorganic fertilizer, even with compost, to obtain optimum yields. Another experiment, conducted at both sites, investigated the effect of mature and immature leaf compost on yield and increased disease resistance in tomatoes. The five treatments included mature compost incorporated into the soil, mature compost mulch, compost incorporated plus compost mulch, immature compost mulch, and unamended control. Incorporated compost was applied at a rate of 112 Mg/ha and mulch was applied to a depth of 5 cm. Average yields from Windsor were 10.8 kg/plant (incorp. compost), 10.3 kg/plant (mature compost mulch), 10.6 kg/plant (incorp. compost+mature compost mulch), 9.7 kg/plant (immature compost mulch), and 10.1 kg/plant (control). Yields from Mt. Carmel followed the same trend. There were no differences observed in increased disease resistance between the treatments. Another experiment, conducted at both
sites, investigated the effect of compost on the yield of onions and leeks. The 4 treatments included compost incorporated into the soil, compost mulch, compost incorporated into the soil plus compost mulch, and unamended control. Incorporated compost was applied at a rate of 112 Mg/ha and mulch was applied to a depth of 5 cm. Two cultivars each of leeks and onions were grown. Yields of leeks (cv. Jersey) from Windsor were 318 g/plant (incorp. compost), 349 g/plant (compost mulch), 343 g/plant (incorp.+compost mulch), and 290 g/plant (control). Yields of leeks (cv. Primor) were 261 g/plant (incorp. compost), 256 g/plant (compost mulch), 273 g/plant (incorp.+compost mulch), and 239 g/plant (control). Yields of onions (cv. Corona) were 7.3 Mg/ha (incorp. compost), 9.5 Mg/ha (compost mulch), 11.3 Mg/ha (incorp.+compost mulch), and 8.6 Mg/ha (control). Yields of onions (cv. Daytona) were 17.8 Mg/ha (incorp. compost), 19.4 Mg/ha (compost mulch), 18.5 Mg/ha (incorp.+compost mulch), and 19.2
(control). Yields from Mt. Carmel followed the same trends. This experiment will be repeated for two more years to study the cumulative effects of the different treatments.
Impacts
One environmental concern in Connecticut is elevated levels of nitrate in the ground water and Long Island Sound. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, nutrients in compost are not immediately available but are released slowly at a rate in which plants can use most profitable for optimum growth. Utilization of compost as a soil ammendment could reduce the need for commercial inorganic fertilizer and also reduce the possibility of contamination of ground water with nutrients such as nitrogen. The long-term benefits are a cleaner environment with less pollution of ground water and reduced runoff of fertilizers into Long Island Sound.
Publications
- Maynard, A.A. 2003. Reducing fertilizer requirements in cut flower production. BioCycle 44(3):43-45.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The objective of the first experiment was to determine whether leaf compost could partially replace inorganic fertilizer in butternut squash production. Less fertilizer could reduce nitrate leaching to the ground water. Trials were done at two sites (loamy upland soil and sandy soil) for 2 years. Bush butternut squash was grown on compost-amended plots with chemical (10-10-10) fertilizer applied at either 1.5 t/ha (full rate) or 0.75 t/ha (half rate). Another set of compost-amended plots received no fertilizer. Yields from these treatments were compared to the control, which received 1.5 t 10-10-10/ha and no compost. The average yields were 2.7 kg/plant (full+compost), 2.3 kg/plant (half+compost), 1.9 kg/plant (compost only), and 2.6 kg/plant (control). As all the treatments averaged the same number of squash/plant (3), the differences in yield were due to variations in fruit size between the treatments. Even though the overall yields were lower than the previous
year, the differences between the treatments remained the same. This experiment will be repeated for one more year to study the cumulative effects of the treatments. To determine the least amount of compost that is effective, another experiment was conducted at both sites in which 3 different root crops were grown in soil amended with varying amounts of leaf compost. The root crops included beets, carrots, and rutabaga. The treatments were 112 Mg/ha, 56 Mg/ha, and 22 Mg/ha of leaf compost. Yields from these plots were compared to the control plots, which received no compost. All plots received the same amount (1.5 t/ha) of 5-10-10 fertilizer. Yields of beets were 8.6 kg/3 m row (112 Mg/ha) and (56 Mg/ha), 5.7 kg/3 m row (22 Mg/ha), and 3.0 kg/3 m row (control). Yields of carrots were 10.2 kg/3 m row (112 Mg/ha), 9.4 kg/3 m row (56 Mg/ha), 9.1 kg/3 m row (22 Mg/ha), and 5.7 kg/3 m row (control). Yields of rutabaga were 9.6 kg/3 m row (112 Mg/ha), 9.7 kg/3 m row (56 Mg/ha), 11.0 kg/3 m
row (22 Mg/ha), and 9.0 kg/3 m row (control). This experiment showed that, for some crops, leaf compost applications could be reduced to 22 Mg/ha and still have some benefit. Another experiment, conducted at both sites, investigated the effect of mature and immature leaf compost on yield and increased disease resistance in tomatoes. The five treatments included mature compost incorporated into the soil, mature compost mulch, mature compost incorporated plus mature compost mulch, immature compost mulch, and unamended control. Incorporated compost was applied at a rate of 112 Mg/ha and mulch was applied to a depth of 5 cm. Average yields were 10.5 kg/plant (incorporated compost), 9.8 kg/plant (mature compost mulch), 10.2 kg/plant (incorporated compost + mature compost mulch), 10.4 kg/plant (immature compost mulch), and 10.0 kg/plant (control). There were no differences observed in increased disease resistance between the treatments. This experiment will be repeated for two more years to
study the cumulative effects of the different treatments.
Impacts
One environmental concern in Connecticut is elevated levels of nitrate in the ground water and Long Island Sound. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, nutrients in compost are not immediately available but are released slowly at a rate in which plants can use most profitably for optimum growth. Utilization of compost as a soil amendment could reduce the need for commercial inorganic fertilizer and also reduce the possibility of contamination of ground water with nutrients such as nitrogen.
Publications
- Maynard, A.A. 2002. Leaf compost reduces fertilizer use for corn. BioCycle 43(3):56-59.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The objective of these experiments was to determine whether leaf compost could partially replace inorganic fertilizer in butternut squash and cut flower production. Less fertilizer could reduce nitrate leaching to the ground water. For cut flowers, trials were done at two sites (loamy upland soil and sandy soil) for 3 years. Snapdragons, black-eyed Susans, cosmos, and zinnias were grown on compost-amended plots with chemical (10-10-10) fertilizer applied at either 1.5 t/ha (full rate) or 0.75 t/ha (half rate). Another set of compost-amended plots received no fertilizer. Yields from these plots were compared to the control which received 1.5 t 10-10-10/ha and no compost. In 2001, after 3 years of treatments, yields of snapdragons averaged 31 stems/plant (full+compost), 30 stems/plant (half+compost), 28 stems/plant (compost only), and 30 stems/plant (control). Black-eyed Susan yields were 54 stems/plant (full+compost), 50 stems/plant (half+compost), 46 stems/plant
(compost only), and 39 stems/plant (control). Cosmos yields averaged 81 stems/plant (full+compost), 84 stems/plant (half+compost), 80 stems/plant (compost only), and 60 stems/plant (control). Zinnia yields were 62 stems/plant (full+compost), 63 stems/plant (half+compost), 51 stems/plant (compost only), and 58 stems/plant (control). This experiment showed that leaf compost can at least partially replace chemical fertilizer in cut flower production. A bush variety of butternut squash was also grown at both sites with the same treatments as the cut flowers. The average yields were 3.4 kg/plant (full+compost), 2.8 kg/plant (half+compost), 2.3 kg/plant (compost only), and 3.6 kg/plant (control). As all the treatments averaged the same number of squash/plant (4), the differences in yield were due to variations in fruit size between treatments. The squash experiment will be repeated for two more years to study the cumulative effects of the treatments. To determine the least amount of compost
that is effective, another experiment was conducted at both sites in which 3 different root crops were grown in soil amended with varying amounts of leaf compost. The root crops included beets, carrots, and turnips. The treatments were 112 Mg/ha, 56 Mg/ha, and 22 Mg/ha of leaf compost. Yields from these plots were compared to the control plots which received no compost. All plots received the same amount (1.5 t/ha) of 5-10-10 fertilizer. Yields of carrots were 6.4 kg/plot (112Mg/ha), 5.3 kg/plot (56 Mg/ha), 5.2 kg/plot (22 Mg/ha), and 6.6 kg/plot (control). Yields of beets were 11.3 kg/plot (112 Mg/ha), 10.3 kg/plot (56 Mg/ha), 9.9 kg/plot (22 Mg/ha), and 11.4 kg/plot (control). Yields of rutabaga were 10.7 kg/plot (112 Mg/ha), 9.0 kg/plot (56 Mg/ha), 9.1 kg/plot (22 Mg/ha), and 9.8 kg/plot (control). This experiment will be repeated for one more year to study additional cumulative effects of the compost.
Impacts
One environmental concern in Connecticut is elevated levels of nitrate in the ground water and Long Island Sound. Unlike inorganic fertilizer, nutrients in compost are not immediately available but are released slowly at a rate in which plants can use most profitably for optimum growth. Utilization of compost as a soil amendment could reduce the need for commercial inorganic fertilizer and also reduce the possiblity of contamination of ground water with nutrients such as nitrogen.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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