Progress 09/15/05 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two preliminary trials were conducted to evaluate the response of sweet corn to several locally available organic compost amendments, and to determine residual nutrient availability from initial high amendment rate applications. For yield comparison purposes a field trial was conducted to evaluate the response of several new sweet corn varieties to conventional synthetic fertilizer applications. In fields that had been managed organically for over 10 years, three consecutive trials were conducted to evaluate the response of sweet corn to several organic amendment applications, and residual nutrient levels during each consecutive planting. Three parallel/concurrent field trials were conducted in the same organic production fields, to determine the effect of the same organic amendments, and modified tillage practices, on the water/moisture soil relations in sweet corn. Educational activities were conducted to share information about the technology behind the use of organic amendments, and ability to provide significant NPK nutrient inputs to cash crops with locally available amendments for either organic or conventional production systems. Educational activities included 10 production workshops, 6 field days, and 22 presentations, to community groups, gardeners, and farmers in Hawaii, and in the Pacific Region. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included the PI and one student assistant, who helped with clerical, paper work, and data management. Collaborators, not funded by the project included four field technicians that assisted with field management and data collection, and researchers from another department (a research professor, a post-doc, and a graduate assistant), that assisted with some aspects of the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Targeted audiences included local commercial farmers in Hawaii, organic farmers, home-gardeners, and community members interested in local food production or in issues of food security and self-sufficiency. Some educational activities were targeted toward immigrant farmers in Hawaii. Farming communities were located in all islands of the state, including Hawaii (Puna and Hamakua), Molokai, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We were not able to address one of the project objectives. Because funding for this grant was not made available for the second year, and because experimental land was also not made available until the second year of the project, we were not able to complete one of the objectives of the project. As a result of these changes we were not able to use a large portion of the funded monies, because of the inability to plan ahead- as funding after the first year became uncertain, and because of the inability to extend the duration of the project after its termination date on August 2008.
Impacts
A change in knowledge occurred among participants (farmers, gardeners, and community members) that participated in the seminars, field days, and workshops listed above. A greater awareness occurred about the importance of organic amendments to improve soil quality, and soil biota activity, and about the ability to provide a significant level of NPK nutrient inputs through the application of locally available resources (i.e. composted organic manures and amendments). A change in action occurred with participants at the several educational/outreach activities, with their decision to incorporate the use of organic amendments and composts into their production practices. This included the decision to incorporate the use of cover crops and organic amendments into their production programs. Surveys filled by participants after some of the organic workshops we offered indicated they would be willing to try some of the techniques they learned about in the workshops. Local conventional farmers also inquired about the use and availability of local organic amendments for use in their conventional farming operations.
Publications
- Abbas, F., A. Fares, and H.R. Valenzuela. 2009. Carbon Dioxide Emission from an Organically Amended and Differently Managed Tropical Soil. In Review.
- Valenzuela, H. (Editor). 2006. Organic Farming Production Manual. UH-CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service. Educational Materials prepared as part of the Organic Farming Production Workshops held on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai, and Kauai, Sept. 2006 to January 2007.
- Valenzuela, H.R. 2007. Introduction to Organic Farming in Hawaii. In: H. Valenzuela, Editor. Proceedings of Organic Farming Workshops, Hawaii. CTAHR Organic Farming web site.
- Valenzuela, H. 2009. Strategies to improve the ecological health of horticultural agroecosystems in the tropics. pp. 1-34. In: Proceedings of International Symposium of Tropical Agriculture on the Sustainable Utilization and Development. National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), Taiwan, held May 15, 2009. 250 pp.
- Valenzuela, H. 2009. Integrated Cultural Programs for the Production of Cash Crops in Organic Systems. Proceedings of Conference: Go Organic! 2009. International Conference on Organic Farming Held in Bangkok, Thailand held on August 19-21, 2009.
|
Progress 09/15/06 to 09/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Several trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of several organic amendments on the growth and yield of sweet corn in Hawaii. A comparison was made of sweet corn and nutrition from production under conventional systems with synthetic fertilizers, and organic systems with organic amendments. Follow-up plantings were conducted in the organic plots to determine residual nutrient levels from the organic amendment applications. Presentations were given around the state to show to farmers the results to date of our research.
PARTICIPANTS: Research staff and colleagues at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Mari Marutani at the University of Guam.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Several workshops were conducted in the different islands of the state where we shared initial results from our research, including the response of sweet corn to organic amendment applications, and residual nutrient levels in double-cropping systems. The audience included organic farmers, beginning farmers, and conventional farmers interested in transitioning towards organic farming. Audience participants in the different islands included native Hawaiians, and in a separate workshop, Filipino immigrants. Informal meetings were also held during farm visits to discuss with farmers the use of organic amendments as a fertilizer source for the production of diversified crops in Hawaii.
Impacts
Little experience exists in the Pacific Region with respect to the production of corn under organic production systems. Little is known about the response of corn when fertilized with organic amendments alone. The data from this research is beginning to elucidate the types of organic amendments, and the rates required for the production of sweet corn under organic systems. We would like to further elucidate microbial interactions in the soil, through mycorrhizal associations, to improve the growth and yield of sweet corn under organic production systems in the Pacific Region. This information has been shared with conventional and organic farmers in the state through a series of workshops conducted across the islands.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 09/15/05 to 09/14/06
Outputs
The project began in October 2005. In Hawaii, four types of organic soil amendments will be tested. Four different types of organic materials for composting are being collected in Guam and Hawaii for testing. As in Guam the first two products will consist of raw crop residues in combination with 1/3 (by volume) of poultry manure to prepare "on-farm" composts similar to those used in Guam (using composted wood chips, and Leucaena, respectively); "Kona gold" poultry manure/macadamia nut based compost; and bokashi compost. The last two materials are commercially available in Hawaii and the co-PD (Valenzuela) will prepared the first two materials.
Impacts
We expect to develop information about the activity of indigenous mycorrhizal species in agricultural fields with low fertility, and on the use of organic amendments as forms of inoculation, to increase the productivity of vegetable crops in tropical soils of Guam and Hawaii. The project would increase in knowledge of the relationship of organic amendments, indigenous arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi, and plant development of corn (Zea mays) grown in Guam and Hawaii. It would also assist in developing and refining agricultural practices in the tropics and subtropics through an agroecosystem approarch.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|