Progress 09/01/04 to 08/31/07
Outputs
Objective 1. Organic Seed. A method to produce pathogen inoculum for spinach trials was developed, and pathogenicity verified for isolates of F. oxysporun f. sp. Spinaciae, P. ultimum, and R. solani. A list of potential seed treatments to test in 2007 was developed. Compost tea did not effectively control Xanthomonas on cabbage seed. Compost teas were successfully characterized using PCR. Wheat varieties were identified with elevated levels of mineral nutrients and better disease resistance, providing genetic material to incorporate into organic varieties. Icebox watermelon variety trials produced data on yield, maturity, and melon size, and consumer preference, with a desired fruit size <5 kg. Winter lettuce was grown at 2 locations during 2005/06, and initial results indicate its feasibility in unheated hoophouses. Objective 2. Pest Control. Increasing the proportion of vetch increased cover crop biomass N, soil nitrate, and crop response, without a large effect on
weed density. Both hairy vetch and red clover show potential for interseeding in vegetable crops, but not in crops with heavy shade, such as winter squash. Some new degradable mulch products provided season-long weed control. Three biologically derived nematicides (NaturCur, DiTerra, and SLS+LCF) were tested in established apple orchards. NaturCur did decrease plant parasitic nematodes (P. penetrans) without affecting beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Steinernema feltiae did provide some control of carrot rust fly, but did not reduce the infestation below economically acceptable damage. Of the 3 EPNs applied to an orchard block with a commercial airblast sprayer, with sentinel codling moth (Cydia pomenella) larvae, S. feltiae performed best with over 95% mortality in the mulch Objective 3. Understory Management.Weed control with living mulch in orchards was successful in Year 2 of an apple planting. While tillage led to the best weed control, it showed negative effects on tree
anchoring and soil biology. The living mulch legume biomass contained 40-50 kg N/ha aboveground, validating the potential to supply a significant portion of the tree N requirement through mowing manipulation. Maintenance of a living cover understory resulted in greater N retention and availability, and rapid soil quality improvement, yet it competed with young trees, resulting in reduced tree growth. None of the treatments applied produced an ideal combination of weed control, maximum tree growth, adequate leaf nutrients, and improved soil quality. The Galium odoratum in the Sandwich non-legume plots led to significant vole reduction relative to the other cover crop treatments. Objective 4. Economic Trends. Profiles of organic production in Washington State, Oregon and Idaho were produced for the 2005 crop year, along with an organic tree fruit report. An economic model for organic apple price has been constructed and tested with actual price data. Objective 5. Materials Efficacy. A
number of available and potential products were evaluated in 2006, and all are described under objectives 1-3.
Impacts
Orchard mulching led to increased fruit value and tree growth compared to tillage for weed control, with over $2,500 per hectare in net benefit. Mulch use is expanding slowly each year, especially on poor soil areas. Mulch also can provide the medium for biocontrol (over 90%) of overwintering codling moth larvae under the tree using entomopathogenic nematodes. Wheat variety analysis suggests that a genetically based trade-off between yield and mineral content does not exist, providing breeders the opportunity to enhance wheat nutrition without sacrificing yield. Based on project results Manufacturing companies are redesigning their biodegradable mulch products to be more durable, and retaining interest in this market segment. Organic statistics from the project have been used by industry, growers, policymakers and university leaders to expand organic agriculture programs in the region, and were in demand by the financial sector during 2006 as organic sales boomed.
Publications
- Dawson, J., K. Murphy, S. Jones. 2006. Evolutionary Participatory Wheat Breeding in Washington State, USA. Proceedings ECO-PB Workshop: Participatory Plant Breeding: Relevance for Organic Agriculture? La Besse, France. http://csanr.wsu.edu/Organic/OrganicCropProgress06.htm
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic crop acreage in Washington State, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 6 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/WA_CertAcres_2005.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated Washington organic tree fruit acreage and price trends, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 9 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/WAOrgTreeFruit05.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic crop and livestock in Oregon, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 5 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/OR_OrgCertifiedAcres2005_OT COWSDA.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic acreage and livestock in Idaho, 2004-2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 4 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/ID_OrgCertified_04_05_Allce rt.pdf
- Lacey, L., D. Granatstein, S. Arthur, H. Headrick, and R. Fritts, Jr. 2006. Use of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematides) in conjunction with mulches for control of over wintering codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 41:107-119.
- Miles, C., K. Kolker, T. Smith, J. Reed, G. Becker, and C. Adams. 2006. Icebox watermelon variety trial in Western Washington. Hortscience 41(4):1014.
- Muehleisen, D., and M. R. Ostrom. 2006. Monitoring for Carrot Rust Fly. Tilth Journal. 15(1):7-8.
- Murphy, K., P. Reeves, and S. Jones. 2006. Breeding for enhanced mineral nutrient content in wheat. Proceedings International Plant Breeding Symposium, Mexico City, Mexico. http://csanr.wsu.edu/Organic/OrganicCropProgress06.htm
- Murphy, K., S. Lyon, and S. Jones. 2006. Low-input wheat breeding. Wheat Life. February 2006.
- Sullivan, T. 2006. Vole populations, tree fruit orchards, and living mulches. CSANR report. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicIFP/OrchardFloorManagement/Voles_ Orchards_Mulches_Report_2006.pdf
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Objective 1. Organic Seed. A method to produce pathogen inoculum for spinach trials was developed, and pathogenicity verified for isolates of F. oxysporun f. sp. Spinaciae, P. ultimum, and R. solani. A list of potential seed treatments to test in 2007 was developed. Compost tea did not effectively control Xanthomonas on cabbage seed. Compost teas were successfully characterized using PCR. Wheat varieties were identified with elevated levels of mineral nutrients and better disease resistance, providing genetic material to incorporate into organic varieties. Icebox watermelon variety trials produced data on yield, maturity, and melon size, and consumer preference, with a desired fruit size <5 kg. Winter lettuce was grown at 2 locations during 2005/06, and initial results indicate its feasibility in unheated hoophouses. Objective 2. Pest Control. Increasing the proportion of vetch increased cover crop biomass N, soil nitrate, and crop response, without a large effect on
weed density. Both hairy vetch and red clover show potential for interseeding in vegetable crops, but not in crops with heavy shade, such as winter squash. Some new degradable mulch products provided season-long weed control. Three biologically derived nematicides (NaturCur, DiTerra, and SLS+LCF) were tested in established apple orchards. NaturCur did decrease plant parasitic nematodes (P. penetrans) without affecting beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Steinernema feltiae did provide some control of carrot rust fly, but did not reduce the infestation below economically acceptable damage. Of the 3 EPNs applied to an orchard block with a commercial airblast sprayer, with sentinel codling moth (Cydia pomenella) larvae, S. feltiae performed best with over 95% mortality in the mulch Objective 3. Understory Management.Weed control with living mulch in orchards was successful in Year 2 of an apple planting. While tillage led to the best weed control, it showed negative effects on tree
anchoring and soil biology. The living mulch legume biomass contained 40-50 kg N/ha aboveground, validating the potential to supply a significant portion of the tree N requirement through mowing manipulation. Maintenance of a living cover understory resulted in greater N retention and availability, and rapid soil quality improvement, yet it competed with young trees, resulting in reduced tree growth. None of the treatments applied produced an ideal combination of weed control, maximum tree growth, adequate leaf nutrients, and improved soil quality. The Galium odoratum in the Sandwich non-legume plots led to significant vole reduction relative to the other cover crop treatments. Objective 4. Economic Trends. Profiles of organic production in Washington State, Oregon and Idaho were produced for the 2005 crop year, along with an organic tree fruit report. An economic model for organic apple price has been constructed and tested with actual price data. Objective 5. Materials Efficacy. A
number of available and potential products were evaluated in 2006, and all are described under objectives 1-3.
Impacts
Orchard mulching led to increased fruit value and tree growth compared to tillage for weed control, with over $2,500 per hectare in net benefit. Mulch use is expanding slowly each year, especially on poor soil areas. Mulch also can provide the medium for biocontrol (over 90%) of overwintering codling moth larvae under the tree using entomopathogenic nematodes. Wheat variety analysis suggests that a genetically based trade-off between yield and mineral content does not exist, providing breeders the opportunity to enhance wheat nutrition without sacrificing yield. Based on project results manufacturing companies are redesigning their biodegradable mulch products to be more durable, and retaining interest in this market segment. Organic statistics from the project have been used by industry, growers, policymakers and university leaders to expand organic agriculture programs in the region, and were in demand by the financial sector during 2006 as organic sales boomed.
Publications
- Miles, C., K. Kolker, T. Smith, J. Reed, G. Becker, and C. Adams. 2006. Icebox watermelon variety trial in Western Washington. Hortscience 41(4): 1014
- Muehleisen, D., and M. R. Ostrom. 2006. Monitoring for Carrot Rust Fly. Tilth Journal. 15(1): 7-8.
- Sullivan, T. 2006. Vole populations, tree fruit orchards, and living mulches. CSANR report. . http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicIFP/OrchardFloorManagement/Voles_ Orchards_Mulches_Report_2006.pdf
- Dawson, J., K. Murphy, S. Jones. 2006. Evolutionary Participatory Wheat Breeding in Washington State, USA. Proceedings ECO-PB Workshop: Participatory Plant Breeding: Relevance for Organic Agriculture? La Besse, France.
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic crop acreage in Washington State, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 6 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/WA_CertAcres_2005.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated Washington organic tree fruit acreage and price trends, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 9 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/WAOrgTreeFruit05.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic crop and livestock in Oregon, 2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 5 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/OR_OrgCertifiedAcres2005_OT COWSDA.pdf
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and C. Feise. 2006. Estimated certified organic acreage and livestock in Idaho, 2004-2005. CSANR report. WSU, Wenatchee, WA. 4 pp. http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/OrganicStats/ID_OrgCertified_04_05_Allce rt.pdf
- Lacey, L., D. Granatstein, S. Arthur, H. Headrick, and R. Fritts, Jr. 2006. Use of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematides) in conjunction with mulches for control of over wintering codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 41:107-119.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Objective 1. Organic Seed. Organic seed treatment products were tested to evaluate their efficacy in protecting peas from damping-off and root disease. Only pea seed treated with Serenade ASO had similar yield to the conventional treatment, while all other biological products were significantly less. Developing reproducible microbial communities, using molecular techniques, was the initial step for evaluating compost tea for control of Xanthomonas bacterial black rot on cabbage seed; these were bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and high bacterial diversity. The winter wheat breeding program established the need for a separate organic breeding program. Heirloom lines are being screened for organic systems and to identify traits for weed competition, disease resistance, and nutrient uptake. An icebox watermelon trial found that 80 out of 101 varieties screened were suitable for organic systems. Most of the 34 winter lettuce varietes tested had good to very good flavor and
performance. Objective 2. Pest Control. For the transition rotation study in 2005, mustard and winter rye/hairyvetch cover crops were the most effective in regards to weed control. An infrared flamer was better for postemergent weed control than various organic herbicides. Relay-planted cover crops show promise; hairy vetch and red clover are most effective at weed control, with planting at 4 weeks after the cash crop is planted. A 75:25 rye-vetch mix at planting led to a 50:50 rye-vetch biomass at harvest. Eight degradable mulches were tested in an organic vegetable system, including papers and degradable plastics. The biodegradable plastics performed as well as black polyethylene, but did not have acceptable breakdown in the soil. Three biologically derived nematicides were tested in established apple orchards, with some observable growth response in the first year. These newly developed organic nematicides have the potential to decrease plant parasitic nematodes in organic apple
orchards without affecting beneficial microorganisms in the soil. A new study evaluated control of carrot rust fly with Metarhizium anisopliae and Steinernema feltiae as biocontrol materials. Objective 3. Understory Management. In orchard understory research, mechanical tillage for weed control did not negatively impact tree growth or soil quality. The wood chip mulch provided the best weed control and provided an economically significant increase in fruit size. Living mulches in a new apple planting severely competed with the young trees, even with fertilizer injected into the root zone. Higher base fertilization did not overcome this problem. Cover crops in the tree row dramatically increased presence of voles. Objective 4. Economic Trends. Profiles of organic production in Washington State and Oregon were produced for 2005. Initial data on organic apple prices were collected for use in examining price in response to crop sizes supplied to the market. An economic model has been
constructed and will be tested with the initial data set. Objective 5. Materials Efficacy. A number of available and potential products were evaluated in 2005, and all are described under objectives 1-3.
Impacts
Speed of mechanical cultivation in orchards was increased up to 20 times with a new cultivator, with no measurable reduction in soil quality. Cost savings can be $100 per acre per cultivation. The tool is being used on at least 3,000 acres in the state. The best yielding winter wheat varieties were not the same on organic and conventional farms, documenting the need for wheat breeding under organic conditions. On-farm variety selection is underway with several growers who are saving their adapted seed. Hairy vetch and red clover have been identified as potential relay cover crops for vegetable systems in western Washington. Growers have learned about this at a summer and winter field day, and the annual horticulture meeting. Organic statistics for Washington and Oregon have been used by industry, growers, policymakers and university leaders to expand organic agriculture programs in the region. Alternative mulch manufacturing companies are redesigning their mulch
products to be more durable based on project results. Consultants, extension agents, and growers are becoming more aware of the importance of plant parasitic nematodes to the tree fruit industry and of the new alternative bio-nematicides, based on inquiries and presentations.
Publications
- Carpenter-Boggs, L. 2005. Diving into Compost Tea. Biocycle 46(7):61-62.
- Granatstein, D. 2005. Organic Statistics web site. Washington State University. http://csanr.wsu.edu/Organic/OrganicStats.htm
- Murphy K., D. Lammer, S. Lyon, B. Carter, S.S. Jones. 2005. Breeding for organic and low-input farming systems: An evolutionary participatory breeding method for inbred cereal grains. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 20:45-55.
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