Progress 04/01/04 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Low-input organic farming systems using green manure and cover crops were compared to High-input systems that include 10 T/acre dairy manure compost amendments from off-farm sources. Systems were assessed in a market garden vegetable trial and a field crop/livestock trial at the WVU Horticultural Research Farm which has been certified organic since 2003. The field crop trial included with- and without-livestock (sheep) treatments, arranged in a factorial randomized block design with the 2 compost (High vs Low-input) treatments. Soil and plant samples were analyzed and pests were monitored and controlled uniformly on all treatments following organic standards. Small-plot trials evaluated compost rates, pest management, and variety evaluations to optimize yields and reduce insect and disease problems. Yields of potato, pumpkin, spinach and tomato were greater from plots with compost than from plots without. Root rot of spinach was significantly lower in plots with compost. Sheep produced healthy lambs which gained equally well on plots with versus without compost, but compost allowed a higher stocking rate, producing more total gain per acre. Compost application resulted in significantly higher soil organic matter content, as well as higher levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, than in low-input plots. Pest management trials evaluated soil solarization, cultural practices and biological treatments for suppression of seed rots and damping off in spinach and pea. Transplanting pea and spinach seedlings avoided most root rot, and planting seed in a compost layer in furrow resulted in the best emergence and highest yields among cultural treatments. Solarization significantly improved plant stands as well. Use of weekly spray applications of MilStop, Serenade, or milk did not significantly enhance yield or suppress powdery mildew of pumpkin, although Milstop did delay the onset of the powdery mildew epidemic. A trial to evaluate season extension compared floating row cover and high tunnels, with and without water bags as solar heat collectors, with conventional plantings and indicated that yields were significantly increased by the coverings. The use of water bags also significantly increased yields of tomato. Organic poultry production practices demonstrated successful broiler production without the need for synthetic methionine supplements when poultry were given access to pasture. Lamb infection with intestinal parasites was evaluated to determine whether grazing management practices such as protein supplementation or creep grazing would provide improved organic production methods. Neither protein supplementation nor creep grazing significantly affected FAMACHA scores. Lamb weights were significantly greater in flocks with creep gates (P < 0.05). Significantly fewer lambs born as twins remained organic than lambs born single (P < 0.01), and lambs from ewes that received protein supplements before lambing were more likely to remain organic than those from ewes without protein supplementation (P < 0.05). However, lambs in flocks that were creep grazed, were slightly less likely to remain organic (P < 0.10). PARTICIPANTS: Principle investigators at West Virginia University included James Kotcon, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology; William Bryan, Professor of Agronomy; Sven Verlinden, Associate Professor of Horticulture; Yong-Lak Park, Assistant Professor of Entomology; Rakesh Chandran, Extension Specialist in Weed Science; Louis McDonald, Professor of Soil Science; Alan Sexstone, Professor of Environmental Microbiology; Gerard D'Souza, Professor of Resource Economics; Cheryl Brown, Associate Professor of Resource Economics, and Joseph Moritz, Assistant Professor of Poultry Science. Training and Professional Development was provided by Field Days, Workshops and Training events targeting a variety of groups. These included the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, Northeast Annual Meeting of the Society of Agronomy, The Potomac Division of the American Phytopathological Society, Montgomery County Community College, West Virginia University Extension, and others. The project provided training for twelve graduate students, and approximately twenty undergraduate interns. It was used for a variety of college classes in soil science, pest management, horticulture, animal science, agronomy, and others. An annual Field Day was held which provided a series of workshops, tours and demonstrations, with attendance by approximately 100-200 growers, extension agents, gardeners, students and others each year. Specialized workshops were included in topics such as organic agriculture training for undergraduates, a workshop for physical therapists working with farmers with disabilities, as well as Master Gardener workshops. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included organic farmers, gardeners, field crop advisors, Extension agents, scientists, consumers, and agency personnel. Examples of the numerous projects include: demonstrations of high tunnels and season extension practices for growers to lengthen their growing season; rotational grazing workshops to assist growers with organic management of intestinal parasites in livestock, pest management workshops to illustrate improved methods of organic pest control, and soil quality practices to reduce soil erosion, enhance soil fertility, and minimize environmental impacts of farming practices. Marketing practices and foods and nutrition information were provided to organic growers and consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Maintaining and improving soil fertility, managing pests, and producing increased yields require knowledge-intensive practices on organic farms. We have demonstrated that improved production practices result in improved yields while enhancing soil quality and reducing adverse environmental impacts. Economic analyses of profitability will reduce costs and financial risks of conventional growers seeking to enter the organic market. Improved pest management practices will reduce losses to diseases, insects and weeds, leading to improved yields and more reliable production. The ability to produce poultry without synthetic methionine or lambs without synthetic antihelminthics are limiting factors in organic livestock production, and the methods developed here should significantly enhance grower success and profitability.
Publications
- Baer, A. and G. D'Souza. 2004. To Market, To Market, To Sell Some Organic Produce: The Economics of Organic Farming During the Transition Phase. Division of Resource Management Paper RESMWP-04-05. 17 pp. Available at: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/gdsouzawww/organic%20farming-report-june%20200 4.pdf
- Brown, C. and M. Sperow. 2004. Examining the Cost of an All-organic Diet. Presented at the Food Distribution Research Society Conference, Morro Bay, CA, October 2004.
- Buchanan, N. P., L. B. Kimbler, A. S. Parsons, G. E. Seidel, W. B. Bryan, E. E. D. Felton, and J. S. Moritz. 2007. The effects of nonstarch polysaccharide enzyme addition and dietary energy restriction on performance and carcass quality of organic broiler chickens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 16:1-12.
- Bull, C. T., C. Greene, J. B. Kotcon, and L. Oberholtzer. 2006. Organic Agriculture - Innovations in organic marketing, technology, and research: Introduction to the proceedings. Crop Management. Published on line at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/cm/symposium/organics/
- Chapman. Joshua A. 2006. Soil microbial communities from the alimentary canal of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae). West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
- Chapman, J.A., S.L. Edenborn and A.J. Sexstone. 2006. Modification of bacterial communities in a pasture soil by the feeding activity of earthworms. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Eades, Daniel, and Cheryl Brown. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. West Virginia University Regional Research Institute Working Paper 2006-10.
- Eades, Daniel and Cheryl Brown. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. [Abstract], Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, October 2006, 35(2):387.
- Eades, Daniel. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. Thesis for M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, West Virginia University.
- Eades, Daniel, and Cheryl Brown. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. Selected paper presented at the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association Annual Meeting, Mystic, CT, June 2006.
- Edenborn, S.L., and A.J. Sexstone. 2007. DGGE fingerprinting of culturable soil bacterial communities complements culture-independent analyses culture-independent analyses. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 39:1570-1579.
- Edenborn, S.L. and A.J. Sexstone. 2006. Characterization of soil bacterial communities on culture plates using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of the 16S rRNA gene. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Kotcon, J. B. 2008. Impact of Organic Crop and Livestock Systems on Earthworm Population Dynamics. Proceedings of the 16th IFOAM World Congress, Modena Italy.
- Mcdonald, L. and S. Verlinden. 2007. Productivity and quality of statice (Limonium sinuatum cv. Soiree Mix) and cockscomb (Celosia argentea cv. Chief Mix) under organic and inorganic fertilization regiments. Scientia Horticulturae 114:199-206.
- Moritz, J. S., A. S. Parsons, N. P. Buchanan, N. J. Baker, J. Jaczynski, O. J. Gekara, and W. B. Bryan. 2005. Synthetic methionine and feed restriction effects on performance and meat quality of organically reared broiler chickens. Journal of Applied Poultry Ressearch 14:521-535.
- Murray, W. 2005. Efficacy of compost amendments and extracts in the control of foliar disease in organic tomato production. Thesis for M. S. in Plant and Soil Science, West Virginia University. Morgantown, WV. 70 p.
- Rack, A. L., K. G. S. Lilly, K. R. Beaman, C. K. Gehring and J. S Moritz. 2009. The effect of genotype, choice feeding, and season on organically reared broilers fed diets devoid of synthetic methionine. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 18:54-65.
- Schrum, H., Kotcon, J., Verlinden, S. 2008. Organic Methods for Control of Root Rot in Pea and Spinach. Proceedings of the 16th IFOAM World Congress, Modena Italy.
- Wiechman, R.J., S. R. Seese, and A. J. Sexstone. 2007. Genetic Fingerprints of E. coli in Cattle, Sheep, Chickens, and Impacted Soils Within Conventional and Alternative Production Systems. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings. November 4-8. New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Low-input organic farming systems using green manure and cover crops were compared to High-input systems that include 10 T/acre dairy manure compost amendments from off-farm sources. Systems were assessed in a market garden vegetable trial and a field crop/livestock trial at the WVU Horticultural Research Farm which has been certified organic since 2003. The field crop trial included with- and without-livestock (sheep) treatments, arranged in a factorial randomized block design with the 2 compost (High vs Low-input) treatments. Soil and plant samples were analyzed and pests were monitored and controlled uniformly on all treatments following organic standards. Small-plot trials evaluated compost rates, pest management, and variety evaluations to optimize yields and reduce insect and disease problems. Yields of potato, pumpkin, spinach and tomato were greater from plots with compost than from plots without. Root rot of spinach was significantly lower in plots with
compost. Sheep produced healthy lambs which gained equally well on plots with versus without compost, but compost allowed a higher stocking rate, producing more total gain per acre. Compost application resulted in significantly higher soil organic matter content, as well as higher levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, than in low-input plots. Pest management trials evaluated soil solarization, cultural practices and biological treatments for suppression of seed rots and damping off in spinach and pea. Transplanting pea and spinach seedlings avoided most root rot, and planting seed in a compost layer in furrow resulted in the best emergence and highest yields among cultural treatments. Solarization significantly improved plant stands as well. Use of weekly spray applications of MilStop, Serenade, or milk did not significantly enhance yield or suppress powdery mildew of pumpkin, although Milstop did delay the onset of the powdery mildew epidemic. A trial to evaluate
season extension compared floating row cover and high tunnels, with and without water bags as solar heat collectors, with conventional plantings and indicated that yields were significantly increased by the coverings. The use of water bags also significantly increased yields of tomato. Organic poultry production practices demonstrated successful broiler production without the need for synthetic methionine supplements when poultry were given access to pasture. Lamb infection with intestinal parasites was evaluated to determine whether grazing management practices such as protein supplementation or creep grazing would provide improved organic production methods. Neither protein supplementation nor creep grazing significantly affected FAMACHA scores. Lamb weights were significantly greater in flocks with creep gates (P < 0.05). Significantly fewer lambs born as twins remained organic than lambs born single (P < 0.01), and lambs from ewes that received protein supplements before lambing
were more likely to remain organic than those from ewes without protein supplementation (P < 0.05). However, lambs in flocks that were creep grazed, were slightly less likely to remain organic (P < 0.10).
Impacts
Maintaining and improving soil fertility, managing pests, and producing increased yields require knowledge-intensive practices on organic farms. We have demonstrated that improved production practices result in improved yields while enhancing soil quality and reducing adverse environmental impacts. Economic analyses of profitability will reduce costs and financial risks of conventional growers seeking to enter the organic market. Improved pest management practices will reduce losses to diseases, insects and weeds, leading to improved yields and more reliable production. The ability to produce poultry without synthetic methionine or lambs without synthetic antihelminthics are limiting factors in organic livestock production, and the methods developed here should significantly enhance grower success and profitability.
Publications
- Mcdonald, L. and S. Verlinden. 2007. Productivity and quality of statice (Limonium sinuatum cv. Soiree Mix) and cockscomb (Celosia argentea cv. Chief Mix) under organic and inorganic fertilization regiments. Scientia Horticulturae 114:199-206.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Low-input organic farming systems using green manure and cover crops were compared to High-input systems that include 10 T/acre dairy manure compost amendments from off-farm sources. Systems were assessed in a market garden vegetable trial and a field crop/livestock trial at the WVU Horticultural Research Farm which has been certified organic since 2003. The field crop trial included with- and without-livestock (sheep) treatments, arranged in a factorial randomized block design with the 2 compost (High vs Low-input) treatments. Soil and plant samples were analyzed and pests were monitored and controlled uniformly on all treatments following organic standards. Small-plot trials evaluated compost rates, pest management, and variety evaluations to optimize yields and reduce insect and disease problems. Yields of potato, pumpkin, spinach and tomato were greater from plots with compost than from plots without. Root rot of spinach was significantly lower in plots with
compost. Sheep produced healthy lambs which gained equally well on plots with versus without compost, but compost allowed a higher stocking rate, producing more total gain per acre. Compost application resulted in significantly higher soil organic matter content, as well as higher levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, than in low-input plots. Pest management trials evaluated ten treatments for suppression of seed rots and damping off in spinach, pea, beans and sweet corn. Planting seed in a compost layer in furrow resulted in the best emergence and highest yields. Applications of acetic acid or use of weeder geese resulted in unsatisfactory weed control in potato. Use of weekly spray applications of MilStop, Serenade, or milk did not significantly enhance yield or suppress powdery mildew of pumpkin, although Milstop did delay the onset of the powdery mildew epidemic. A trial to evaluate season extension compared floating row cover and high tunnels, with and without
water bags as solar heat collectors, with conventional plantings and indicated that yields were significantly increased by the coverings. The use of water bags also significantly increased yields of tomato.
Impacts
Maintaining and improving soil fertility, managing pests, and producing increased yields require knowledge-intensive practices on organic farms. We have demonstrated that improved production practices result in improved yields while enhancing soil quality and reducing adverse environmental impacts. Economic analyses of profitability will reduce costs and financial risks of conventional growers seeking to enter the organic market. Improved pest management practices will reduce losses to diseases, insects and weeds, leading to improved yields and more reliable production.
Publications
- Bull, C. T., C. Greene, J. B. Kotcon, and L. Oberholtzer. 2006. Organic Agriculture; Innovations in organic marketing, technology, and research: Introduction to the proceedings. Crop Management. Published on line at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/cm/symposium/organics/
- Eades, Daniel, and Cheryl Brown. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. West Virginia University Regional Research Institute Working Paper 2006-10.
- Eades, Daniel and Cheryl Brown. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture [Abstract], Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, October 2006, 35(2): 387.
- Eades, Daniel. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. Thesis for M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, West Virginia University.
- Eades, Daniel, and Cheryl Brown. 2006. Identifying Spatial Clusters within U.S. Organic Agriculture. Selected paper presented at the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association Annual Meeting, Mystic, CT, June 2006.
- Murray, W. 2005. Efficacy of compost amendments and extracts in the c0ntrol of foliar disease in organic tomato production. Thesis for M. S. in Plant and Soil Science, West Virginia University. Morgantown, WV. 70 p.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Low-input organic farming systems using green manure and cover crops were compared to High-input systems that include 10 T/acre dairy manure compost amendments from off-farm sources. Systems were assessed in a market garden vegetable trial and a field crop/livestock trial at the WVU Horticultural Research Farm which was certified organic in 2003. The field crop trial included with- and without-livestock (sheep) treatments, arranged in a factorial randomized block design with the 2 compost (High vs Low-input) treatments. Soil and plant samples were analyzed and pests were monitored and controlled uniformly on all treatments following organic standards. Small-plot trials evaluated compost rates, pest management, and variety evaluations to optimize yields and reduce insect and disease problems. High input plots showed higher yields than low input plots in tomato, pepper, lettuce, spinach, green beans, squash, and pumpkin, but not peas, which yielded higher in low input
plots. Organic matter levels were significantly higher in the high input than the low input treatments and increased from year to year in both treatments. Available phosphorus levels in the high input treatment plots were excessive, while potassium levels were excessive in both treatments. Root rot of spinach was significantly lower in plots with compost. In field crops, potato, wheat and hay yields were also greater in high input treatents. Sheep produced healthy lambs which gained faster on plots with versus without compost. Greater forage production occurred on pasture plots with compost, allowing a higher stocking rate, producing more total gain per acre for lambs. Soil organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium were increased in plots with annual compost application, but increases in soil fertility and quality occur slowly. Earthworm populations and biomass tended to be higher in plots receiving compost but differences were not always statistically significant over the
six years of these experiments. In trials evaluating insect biological control, a parasitic wasp gave excellent control of the Mexican bean beetle, resulting in significantly higher yields of green beans, especially at the end of the season. Floating row cover also provided some protection, but warm rainy conditions resulted in some leaf damage. Varietal responses to Mexican bean beetles were also compared. Data analyses from field and greenhouse trials to evaluate compost tea for suppression of early blight on tomato showed that the tea had no consistent effect on disease severity. Plots where the soil was amended with compost from dairy manure had significantly less disease than plots with compost from yard waste. Yield differences between compost treatments were not statistically significant. Trials to evaluate organic management practices for seed rots, weed management, management of intestinal parasites in sheep, and poultry production are planned for 2006. Additional work will
evaluate methods to extend the growing season using high tunnels.
Impacts
Organic food consumption is increasing rapidly in the US, thus organic growers need to meet this demand with higher productivity. Maintaining and improving soil fertility, managing pests, and producing increased yields require knowledge-intensive practices on organic farms. We expect that the research in this project will identify improved production practices, and simultaneously improve soil quality while reducing adverse environmental impacts. Economic analyses of profitability will reduce costs and financial risks of conventional growers seeking to enter the organic market. Improved pest management practices will reduce losses to diseases, insects and weeds, leading to improved yields and more reliable production.
Publications
- Childers, T. 2005. The effect of low and high fertility treatments on soil quality, yields, pest incidence and labor requirements of a post-transitional organic market garden system. Masters Thesis. West Virginia University. Morgantown, WV. 72 p.
- Salinas, K. A., and J. B. Kotcon. 2005. In vitro culturing of the predatory soil nematode Clarkus papillatus. Nematology 7(1):5-9.
- Salinas, K. A., and J. Kotcon. 2005. Effects of Kodiak (Bacillus subtillus Strain GB03) on soil-inhabiting nematodes near the rhizosphere of treated vs. nontreated snap bean seeds in situ. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (accepted for publication).
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Low-input organic farming systems using green manure and cover crops were compared to High-input systems that include 10 T/acre dairy manure compost amendments from off-farm sources. Systems were assessed in a market garden vegetable trial and a field crop/livestock trial at the WVU Horticultural Research Farm which was certified organic in 2003. The field crop trial included with- and without-livestock (sheep) treatments, arranged in a factorial randomized block design with the 2 compost (High vs Low-input) treatments. Soil and plant samples were analyzed and pests were monitored and controlled uniformly on all treatments following organic standards. Small-plot trials evaluated compost rates, pest management, and variety evaluations to optimize yields and reduce insect and disease problems. Yields of potato, pumpkin, spinach and tomato were greater from plots with compost than from plots without. Root rot of spinach was significantly lower in plots with compost.
Sheep produced healthy lambs which gained equally well on plots with versus without compost, but compost allowed a higher stocking rate, producing more total gain per acre. Compost application, totaling 38 metric tons/ha fresh material over 5 years, supplied 177 kg N, 59 kg P and 152 kg K/ha, and resulted in higher pasture and hay production from tall fescue, orchard grass and red clover grassland. Soil organic matter and mineral nutrients were increased in plots with annual compost application, but increases in soil fertility and quality occur slowly. Earthworm populations and biomass tended to be higher in plots receiving compost but contrary to previous years, differences were not statistically significant. In a compost rate trial, tomato yields increased as compost rates increased from 0 to 20 tons per acre. Early blight was significantly higher at low compost rates than at high rates or in plots with no compost. Fall cover crops biomass also increased with increasing levels of
compost, with larger yield response with white mustard, Essex rape or forage radish than with rye. Weed management trials in potato showed that hand cultivated plots yielded more than plots where weeds were managed with acetic acid sprays. The economic and financial feasibility of organic farming during the transition phase (defined as the three-year period during which a conventionally-operated farm must switch to organic practices before it can be certified as organic) was determined. Preliminary analysis of the data reveals that the market garden, consisting of a variety of vegetables, was profitable during the transition stage. Field crops including wheat, soybeans, and potatoes; and a livestock enterprise, including sheep and grassland, were not profitable during the transition stage. Their profitability in succeeding years needs to be investigated. In addition, these components are considered to be part of an integrated system, and important from an ecological perspective. An
analysis of the cost of purchased food indicated that an organic diet requires a 49 % price premium compared to conventional diets. The premium was greatest for the fats and oils category and lowest for vegetables.
Impacts
Organic food consumption is increasing rapidly in the US, thus organic growers need to meet this demand with higher productivity. Maintaining and improving soil fertility, managing pests, and producing increased yields require knowledge-intensive practices on organic farms. We expect that the research in this project will identify improved production practices, and simultaneously improve soil quality while reducing adverse environmental impacts. Economic analyses of profitability will reduce costs and financial risks of conventional growers seeking to enter the organic market. Improved pest management practices will reduce losses to diseases, insects, and weeds, leading to improved yields and more reliable production.
Publications
- Baer, A. and G. D'Souza. To Market, To Market, To Sell Some Organic Produce: The Economics of Organic Farming During the Transition Phase. Division of Resource Management Paper RESMWP-04-05. 2004. 17 pp. Available at: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/gdsouzawww/organic
- Brown, Cheryl and Mark Sperow. Examining the Cost of an All-Organic Diet. Presented at the Food Distribution Research Society Conference, Morro Bay, CA, October 2004.
- Salinas, K. A. And J. B. Kotcon. 2004. In vitro culturing of the predatory soil nematode Clarkus papillatus and interactions among adults and juveniles. Nematology (accepted for publication).
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