Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant outputs have been generated from several TSTAR funded Sustainable Farming Systems projects during the reporting period. These projects include: Enhancing phyto-nutrient content, yield and quality of vegetables with compost tea in the tropics. Utilizing vermicompost-based media to enhance organic vegetable seedling vigor, yield, crop quality and grower profitability. Quantifying impacts of green waste compost applications in commercial Hawaiian agroecosystems. Evaluating and Protecting Unusual Avocado Germplasm in Hawaii. Determining optimal irrigation rates for three taro genotypes. Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program (SOAP) outreach and information dissemination Specific outputs from these programs include: Over 2510 stakeholders engaged via 32 separate presentations, activities and workshops in 2010-2011. Stakeholders include CES agents and other faculty, NRCS staff, other agriculture professionals and farmers. Four scientific presentations at international meetings. $282,000 in extramural funding secured for sustainable agriculture research. The SOAP website received 17,440 visits during the reporting period. Two invited book chapters, 1 peer-reviewed journal article and several research reports/extension bulletins published 2010-2011. (see publications below) PARTICIPANTS: Graduate Assistants and Post-doctoral researchers included Archana Pant, Amjad Ahmad and Jensen Uyeda. For collaborators see coauthors of publications. Partner institutions included NRCS, Hawaii Organic Farmers association and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation TARGET AUDIENCES: Primary stakeholder groups targeted include CES agents, NRCS conservationists and planners, agricultural producers and native Hawaiians. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. Improved grower decision making with regard to resource management. 2. Decreased grower reliance on synthetic fertilizers, with the associated risks of groundwater and soil quality impairment. 3. Increased grower revenue through improved ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for local produce grown in a sustainable manner. 4. Improved interaction between CTAHR and the Organic industry. 5. Increased capacity of CTAHR to address the needs of growers through increase extramural funding leveraged by Sustainable Farming Systems program.
Publications
- Radovich, T. 2011. Pumpkin and Squash (Cucurbita spp). Pp. 341-354 in: C.R. Elevitch (ed.). Farm and Forestry Production and Marketing Profiles for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), Hōlualoa, Hawaii.
- Radovich, T. 2011. Moringa (Moringa oleifera). Pp. 329-340 in: C.R. Elevitch (ed.). Farm and Forestry Production and Marketing Profiles for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), Hōlualoa, Hawaii.
- Pant, A., T.J.K. Radovich, N.V. Hue, N. Arancon. 2011. Effects of Vermicompost Tea (Aqueous Extract) on Pak-choi Yield, Quality, and Soil Biological Properties. Compost Science and Utilization (In Press).
- Uyeda, J., L. Cox and T. Radovich. 2011. An Economic Comparison of Commercially Available Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers for Hydroponic Lettuce Production. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii. SA-5. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-5.pdf
|
Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Several greenhouse and field trials have been completed to investigate the inpact of compost extracts on vegetable growth and chemical quality. Tea application influenced total phenolic, carotenoid and glucosinolate concentration in plant tissues. Total antioxidant activity was correlated to phenolic content. Plant response was attributed to variable nitrogen uptake among treatments. Multiple regression analysis between extract characteristics and plant response indicate that mineral nutrient and organic acid content of extracts was more important the biological component in these trials. The demand for Moringa oleifera products is rapidly increasing and our research to investigate the adaptability of multiple accessions under Hawaii condition is on-going. A greenhouse experiment to investigate the mychoryzal dependency of these accessions has demonstrated a strong association between Moringa and these fungi. Hot peppers have a long history in Hawaii and have potential as a high-value specialty crop for Hawaii growers. Capsaicinoid concentrations were measured in 15 cultivars of three pepper species (Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens (tentative) and C. chinense) grown in replicated field trials at two locations (O'ahu and Molokai) July-October, 2009. Market mature peppers were harvested, dried, ground and shipped to the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Texas A&M University. Variability in capsaicinoid concentrations across species was large, and ranged from 39 ug∙g-1 to 21,395 ug∙g-1 on a dry weight basis. Although similar in appearance to C. frutescens fruits, small fruited peppers of C. annuum were lower in capsaicinoids, averaging 2,339 ug∙g-1. Exploiting the considerable genotypic variability among hot pepper genotypes for capsaicinoid concentrations is suggested as a strategy to improve marketing and value-addition of this crop PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
An industry-wide survey of Hawaii organic growers and processors has identified the need for research-based information regarding the efficacy and cost effectiveness of locally produced inputs. A proposal was developed and funded by the USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative to enhance the productivity and profitability of organic vegetable growers by optimizing the use of locally produced vermicomposts as a seedling medium to enhance the growth, productivity and quality of organic vegetables. A series of greenhouse and filed trials have been completed. Results confirm the positive influence of vermicompost on eggplant and pak choi production. Results to-date indicate that plat response is dependent on several factors including crop species, compost quality and pest pressure. Economic analysis indicates that cost can be prohibitive and local materials have been combined with vermicompost to reduce costs associated with peat replacement. The results has lead to improved grower decision making with regard to resource management. Decreased grower reliance on synthetic fertilizers, with the associated risks of groundwater and soil quality impairment. Increased grower revenue through improved ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for local produce grown in a sustainable manner.Improved interaction between CTAHR and the Organic industry.
Publications
- Pant, A., T.J.K. Radovich, N.V. Hue, S. T. Talcott, and K.A. Krenek. 2009. Compost extracts influence growth, total carotenoids, phenolics and antioxidant activity in Pak choi (Brassica rapa Chinensis group) grown under two fertilizer regimes. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 89: 2383-2392.
- J. Krishnakumar, C. Chan-Halbrendt, T. Radovich, P. Sullivan and K. Love. 2009. Supply-Demand Integrated Management Model for Effective Farmer-Buyer Coordination: Case of the Hawaii Avocado Industry. Journal on Chain and Network Science 9:17-23. Invited Book Chapters
- Radovich, T.J.K. 2010. Cabbage Flavor. Chapter 38 in: Handbook of Vegetable Flavors: Commodities, Products, Spices and Edible Oils. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
- Radovich, T. 2010. Pumpkin and Squash (Cucurbita spp.). In: C.R. Elevitch (ed.). Farm and Forestry Production and Marketing Profiles for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), Holualoa, Hawaii.
|
|