Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs for the final annual project period focused on the Growing Nitrogen in the Organic Orchard sub-project (all other sub-projects were completed). Results of the project were presented at annual grower meetings and the 2012 International Organic Fruit Symposium held in Leavenworth, Washington in June 2012. A variety of publications were completed, submitted, accepted and published from multiple sub-projects. PARTICIPANTS: The seven principle investigators for the sub-projects were Dr. Carol Miles (grapes), Dr. Joan Davenport (orchard cover crops), Dr. Steven Jones (western WA grains), Dr. Kevin Murphy (eastern WA grains), Dr. Lindsey duToit (seed pathology), Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs (organic livestock-grain), Dr. Vince Jones (alfalfa cover crop biocontrol). Elizabeth Kirby and David Granatstein conducted the organic statistics work. Chad Kruger and David Granatstein were project PIs who solicited proposals from faculty, developed the proposal for USDA, and conducted the reporting. Work was conducted at 3 off campus research and extension centers as well as on the main campus and co-operating farms. Graduate students involved in the projects included Avi Acala (seed pathology), Lukas Patzek (wheat varieties), Karen Hills (wheat fertility), Jackie Pitts (orchard cover crops) and Stephen Bramwell (organic grain-livestock). Rachel Miller, a WSU student intern, spent the summer as a field assistant on the orchard cover crops project. Partners included co-operating farms (Warren Morgan Orchards, Acapella Vineyards, Lopez Island Vineyards, Mr. Todd Crosby, Mercer Canyon Farms, Mr. Brian Anderson, Mr. Brad Baillie, Mr. Dave Hedlin, Mr. Gilbert Hintz, Mr. Nash Huber, Mr. Chris Hyer, Erik Zakarison, Camas Creek Ranch, Gregg Beckley, Joel Huesby) and other researchers / technicians (Dr. Kevin Murphy, WSU, Dr. Lynden Porter, USDA-ARS, Mr. Gary Moulton, WSU, Dr. Tim Miller, WSU, Dr. Xianming Chen, USDA-ARS, Dr. Tim Paulitz, USDA ARS, David Horton, USDA ARS, Tom Unruh, USDA ARS, David Huggins, USDA ARS, John Reganold, WSU, Triven Pillai, WSU, Grant Morton, WSU, Heather Ireton, WSU, Dave Uberuaga, WSU). TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic and conventional commercial farmers are the primary target audiences of the information that will be produced from research studies and Extension publications that will result from this research program. University colleagues and other agricultural professionals are the primary target audience for journal publications and conference presentations/abstracts that will result from this research program. Target audiences were reached through field tours, presentations at industry and professional meetings, popular publications, and resources added to web sites. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Outcomes and Impacts for the final annual project period focused on the Growing Nitrogen in the Organic Orchard sub-project (all other sub-projects were completed). Outcomes and impacts for the other sub-projects were reported in prior years. Outcomes: Growing Nitrogen in the Organic Orchard. The four legume species planted in the orchard alley were monitored for percent cover and biomass in 2011 and 2012 to develop five years of data from establishment. Ladino white clover was virtually absent in both years, alfalfa showed a decline, while trefoil was stable and kura clover improved each year. Thus the potential for kura clover to be a long-lived cover crop in an orchard has been validated. Impacts: Use of cover crops in organic orchards is expanding, with over 300 acres planted in the past two years. The USDA-NRCS is launching a new screening study to examine more potential candidates for this practice, and they offer cost share funding for growers.
Publications
- Kirby, E. and D. Granatstein. 2012. Status of organic tree fruit in Washington State. EM046E, Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA. 32 pp.
- Mullinx, K. and D. Granatstein. 2011. Potential nitrogen contributions from legumes in Pacific Northwest apple orchards. Intl. J. Fruit Sci. 11:74-87.
- TerAvest, D., J.L. Smith, L. Carpenter-Boggs, D. Granatstein, L. Hoagland, and J.P. Reganold. 2011. Soil carbon pools, N supply, and tree performance under several ground cover management systems and compost rates in a young apple orchard. HortScience 46:1687-1694.
- Willer, H., D. Granatstein, and E. Kirby. 2012. The global extent and expansion of organic horiculture production. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 933:23-34.
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and H. Willer. 2012. The extent and composition of global organic fruit area. Acta Hort (accepted).
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and J. Davenport. 2012. Direct-seeding legumes into orchard alleys for nitrogen production. Acta Hort (accepted).
- Granatstein, D. 2011. Tending the orchard floor in organic systems. Proc. Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo. Dec. 6-8, 2011, Grand Rapids, MI. 6 pp.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Growing Nitrogen in the Organic Orchard. Field plots were sampled 4 times during the season for stand composition and cover crop biomass. Soil nitrate was measured bi-weekly with anion exchange probes. Tree leaf nitrogen was measured. A cover crops workshop for perennial crops was held in Quincy, WA. Management of seedling blights in organic vegetable production. In summer and fall 2010, soil samples from 37 certified organic fields across the Columbia Basin were assessed with molecular methods (ITS sequencing) to identify the Pythium species. Up to 9 isolates per species (3 from fields in each of the north, central, and south Basin) were evaluated for pathogenicity to pea under cool, moist conditions, using soil from a grower-cooperator's field in the Basin. The pathogenicity tests identify the species causing damping-off in early spring. In spring 2011organic seed/drench treatments (microbial and non-microbial) were evaluated against the known pathogenic species, and in two grower-cooperator pea fields in the Basin and pea and sweet corn field trials. Organic grapes. Biomass of cover crop, weed, and vines were measured in an organic vineyard trial comparing different weed control methods. Organic certifier data for Washington State were collected and compiled for the 2010 calendar year. Reports were developed on the tree fruit sector, and on the entire sector, and put on line at the organic statistics web site. Presentations were made at various grower and industry meetings in Washington, Montana, Oregon, and California. A poster was presented at the USDA organic research meeting in March 2011. One of the clearest advances for the integrated organic grain / grazing project has been the combination of effective perennial take-out, soil conservation, and adequate yield of the subsequent annual cereal has been achieved repeatedly at CCR and PCFS with a wide-spaced (30" or more) undercutter with overlapping coverage. This method is now the standard "tillage" method for subsequent trials in this study, combined with direct seeding. Organic pear growers must balance the conflicting pressures between nitrogen levels and densities of pear psylla, a nitrogen-loving pest of pears. Sampling at the 3 commercial orchards was initiated in spring 2009; sampling of arthropod densities, predator movement, predator feeding, and tree nitrogen was begun in 2007 at the experimental orchard. Results include: a substantial increase in predator densities on orchard floor associated with alfalfa cover crop, no correlative effect on predator numbers in trees, no effects of cover crop on psylla densities, ca. 2 percent increase in pear leaf nitrogen in alfalfa plots, evidence for movement between orchard floor and tree by some predator taxa (especially lacewings and ladybeetles), but no striking differences between cover crop and grass plots (data still being analyzed). PARTICIPANTS: The seven principle investigators for the sub-projects were Dr. Carol Miles (grapes), Dr. Joan Davenport (orchard cover crops), Dr. Steven Jones (western WA grains), Dr. Kevin Murphy (eastern WA grains), Dr. Lindsey duToit (seed pathology), Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs (organic livestock-grain), Dr. Vince Jones (alfalfa cover crop biocontrol). Elizabeth Kirby and David Granatstein conducted the organic statistics work. Chad Kruger and David Granatstein were project PIs who solicited proposals from faculty, developed the proposal for USDA, and conducted the reporting. Work was conducted at 3 off campus research and extension centers as well as on the main campus and co-operating farms. Graduate students involved in the projects included Avi Acala (seed pathology), Lukas Patzek (wheat varieties), Karen Hills (wheat fertility), Jackie Pitts (orchard cover crops) and Stephen Bramwell (organic grain-livestock). Rachel Miller, a WSU student intern, spent the summer as a field assistant on the orchard cover crops project. Partners included co-operating farms (Warren Morgan Orchards, Acapella Vineyards, Lopez Island Vineyards, Mr. Todd Crosby, Mercer Canyon Farms, Mr. Brian Anderson, Mr. Brad Baillie, Mr. Dave Hedlin, Mr. Gilbert Hintz, Mr. Nash Huber, Mr. Chris Hyer, Erik Zakarison, Camas Creek Ranch, Gregg Beckley, Joel Huesby) and other researchers / technicians (Dr. Kevin Murphy, WSU, Dr. Lynden Porter, USDA-ARS, Mr. Gary Moulton, WSU, Dr. Tim Miller, WSU, Dr. Xianming Chen, USDA-ARS, Dr. Tim Paulitz, USDA ARS, David Horton, USDA ARS, Tom Unruh, USDA ARS, David Huggins, USDA ARS, John Reganold, WSU, Triven Pillai, WSU, Grant Morton, WSU, Heather Ireton, WSU, Dave Uberuaga, WSU). TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic and conventional commercial farmers are the primary target audiences of the information that will be produced from research studies and Extension publications that will result from this research program. University colleagues and other agricultural professionals are the primary target audience for journal publications and conference presentations/abstracts that will result from this research program. Target audiences were reached through field tours, presentations at industry and professional meetings, popular publications, and resources added to web sites. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Production of organic wheat for human consumption in western Washington has expanded several fold due to the research and outreach funded by this special grant. Local artisan bakers are testing the locally grown grains in their product and purchasing them where feasible. The re-introduction of small grains in this area will help diversify crop rotations and open new markets for organic products. Use of cover crops in organic orchards is expanding, with over 200 acres planted in the past two years. NRCS can provide cost share through EQIP and technical guidance is in part based on these trials. The preliminary results from the seedling disease research were presented at grower meetings to help them improve management. The standard method of cultivating alleys and hand hoeing under the vines performed the best in the western Washington organic vineyard trial. It is the most expensive system but led to the best grapevine growth. The organic statistics were requested by industry representatives, businesses, organic advocates, and policy makers. They were used during the NOSB deliberations on the phase out of antibiotics for fire blight control on organic apples and pear. Over half of growers surveyed use the statistics and find them helpful in their business decisions regarding organic production. The integrated organic grain / livestock project cooperator CCR is now using a wide sweep for routine take-out of perennials prior to planting annual crops. This method preserves soil quality and structure, effectively kills perennial crowns, and minimizes erosion potential. We hope through future demonstrations to increase the use of this practice in organic systems. No impact was reported yet for the alfalfa biocontrol project.
Publications
- Kirby, E. and D. Granatstein. 2011. Status of organic tree fruit in Washington State and other regions: 2010. Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources report, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA.
- Granatstein, D., E. Kirby, and H. Willer. 2010. Organic horticulture expands globally. Chronica Hort. December 2010. 50(4):31-38.
- Granatstein, D. and E. Kirby. 2011. Has the organic bubble burst Current trends in organic tree fruit production. Proceedings 106th Annual Meeting 2010, Washington St. Horticultural Assoc., Wenatchee, WA. p. 123-126.
- Bramwell, S., L. Carpenter-Boggs, D. Huggins, and J.P. Reganold. 2008. Challenges and benefits of integrating livestock and organic grain production in the Inland Northwest, U.S. Proceedings of the 1st Scientific Conference of the 8th European Summer Academy on Organic Farming, Lednice na Morave, Czech Republic, September 2008.
- Carpenter-Boggs, L., D. Huggins, and S. Bramwell. 2009. Mixed Crop-Livestock Farming Systems for the Inland Noarthwest U.S., Washington. EW06-066 Western Region SARE Pacific Northwest Conference. http://wsare.usu.edu/conf/pnw/sub=pos.
- Miles, C., T.W. Miller, G.A. Moulton, M. Olmstead, J. Roozen, and T. Thornton. 2009. Weed Management in Establishing an Organic Wine Grape Vineyard. Tilth Producers Quarterly Spring 2009.
- Murphy, K., S. Jones, C. Miles (2009). Wheat variety trials in Western Washington. Tilth Producers Quarterly, Spring, 2009.
- Aclala, A.C., and du Toit, L.J. 2009. Management of damping-off in organic vegetable crops in the Pacific Northwest. Sustaining the Pacific Northwest 7(4):5-7. http://csanr.wsu.edu/publications/SPNW/SPNW-v7-n4.pdf.
- Horton, D.R., V.P. Jones, and T.R. Unruh. 2009. Use of a new immunomarking method to assess movement by generalist predators between a cover crop and tree canopy in a pear orchard. American Entomologist 55(1): 49-56.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Weed management in organic wine grapes (Pinot Noir Precoce and Madeleine Angevine grafted on Couderc 3309 rootstock) was evaluated for a second year using: rototill/mow (check), Wonder Weeder, or one of three cover crop treatments in the vine row (winter wheat, winter peas, wheat:peas at 2:1 seeding rate). Cultivars and weed control treatments were selected by local growers and wine makers, and the trial was included in the Mt. Vernon field day. Four different legume species interplanted in an apple orchard were compared to a grass control for a third year (2010). Legume biomass, tissue N, tree leaf N, soil nitrate (biweekly sampling), and stand composition were monitored. Cover crops were mowed and blown on the tree row 5 times. Dissemination included one field tour, and consultations with NRCS and growers. Pythium species from 37 organic vegetable fields in the Columbia Basin were isolated and identified (morphological and molecular methods). Growth chamber trials were started to evaluate pathogenicity and aggressiveness on pea, using low temperatures and high soil moisture to mimic early spring planting conditions. The research was described at the Mt. Vernon field day. Large scale variety and breeding tests of winter wheat for disease resistance, yield and other agronomic traits were continued in western WA. Also, new trials tested the effects of cultivar and rate of application of a commercially available blended fertilizer (Perfect Blend TM 4-4-4) approved for organic production to address the concern about low grain protein. Milling and baking trials are also underway to test end use, using laboratory analysis, artisan bakers, and home bakers. A day-long organic grain production workshop for western Washington has been organized for the November 2010 Washington Tilth conference, with 150 people expected. Advanced breeding lines (F7-F8) of soft white winter wheat (20) and hard red winter wheat (40) were planted in late summer 2010 in eastern WA for continued evaluation of stripe rust, yield lodging, and plant height. Spelt (45 advanced breeding lines F7) were planted fall 2009 and harvested summer 2010 for seed regeneration. Detailed data on the acreage and farm gate value of organic crops in Washington and Oregon were compiled for 2009, and put on-line at http://csanr.wsu.edu/Organic/OrganicStats.html . Also, a report on the global status of organic horticulture was developed. PARTICIPANTS: The five principle investigators for the sub-projects were Dr. Carol Miles (grapes), Dr. Joan Davenport (orchard cover crops), Dr. Steven Jones (western WA grains), Dr. Kevin Murphy (eastern WA grains), Dr. Lindsey duToit (seed pathology). Elizabeth Kirby and David Granatstein conducted the organic statistics work. Chad Kruger, David Granatstein, and Carol Miles were project PIs who solicited proposals from faculty, developed the proposal for USDA, and conducted the reporting. Work was conducted at 3 off campus research and extension centers as well as on the main campus and co-operating farms. Graduate students involved in the projects included Avi Acala (seed pathology), Lukas Patzek (wheat varieties), Karen Hills (wheat fertility), and Jackie Pitts (orchard cover crops). Awais Sial, a student from Pakistan, spent the summer as a field assistant on the orhard cover crops project. Partners included co-operating farms (Warren Morgan Orchards, Acapella Vineyards, Lopez Island Vineyards, Mr. Todd Crosby, Mercer Canyon Farms, Mr. Brian Anderson, Mr. Brad Baillie, Mr. Dave Hedlin, Mr. Gilbert Hintz, Mr. Nash Huber, Mr. Chris Hyer) and other researchers (Dr. Lynden Porter, USDA-ARS, Mr. Gary Moulton, WSU, Dr. Tim Miller, WSU, Dr. Xianming Chen, USDA-ARS, Dr. Tim Paulitz, USDA ARS). TARGET AUDIENCES: Organic and conventional commercial farmers are the primary target audiences of the information that will be produced from research studies and Extension publications that will result from this research program. University colleagues and other agricultural professionals are the primary target audience for journal publications and conference presentations/abstracts that will result from this research program. Target audiences were reached through field tours, presentations at industry and professional meetings, popular publications, and resources added to web sites. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Madeline Angevine grapevines had more vigorous growth than Pinot Noir Precoce at Mt. Vernon. All cover crop treatments tended to reduce shoot growth (new vine length), vine pruning weights, and change in vine diameter of both grape cultivars. All four orchard legumes had similar % ground cover during the growing season, ranging from 55-80%. Weeds peaked in mid-July, with generally no significant differences in weediness among legume species. Kura clover stand improved while ladino clover thinned. Overall legume biomass was highest in 2010 compared to previous years, with potential N contribution ranging from a low of 35 kg N/ha for ladino clover to a high of 52 kg N/ha for trefoil, with grass at 33 kg N/ha. Three different growers borrowed the direct seed drill to plant legume cover crops in their orchard alleys. Total area was estimated at 120 acres. Seven Pythium species predominated in vegetable fields: P. irregulare, P. ultimum, P. torulosum, P. adhaerens, P. middletonii (an unusual species not previously reported in WA), P. dissotocum, and P. abappresorium., with definite pathogenicity differences among species. For example, none of nine P. torulosum isolates tested was pathogenic, whereas almost all nine isolates of each of P. ultimum and P. irregulare were pathogenic under these conditions. With western WA wheat, protein, averaged across varieties, increased from 11.49 % and 12.02 % for the controls in the fertilizer trial to 12.35 % and 13.50 % for the plots receiving 60 lbs of N at the boot stage. Protein increases were negligible beyond 60 lbs N/acre. There were no significant differences in yield between fertility treatment. Organic grain production in western WA increased by several hundred acres in 2010, and growers are using variety information from the trials. They are achieving acceptable protein levels as well, one of the main challenges. Several local bakeries began using locally grown organic grains for their flour. The organic statistics data continue to be widely used and requested by the industry, media, and policymakers. Certified acres grew by 13% in WA, but organic vegetable acres declined by 21%. Total certified farms increased by about 50 to 753. Farm gate sales for 2008 (most recent data) were estimated between $247-282 million.
Publications
- Bolton, Callie. 2010. Organic weed control in a newly established vineyard. Poster presentation, Annual Conference, Western Soc. Weed Sci., March 8-11, 2010, Waikoloa, HI.
- Granatstein, D., Kirby, E., Willer, H. 2010. Current world status of organic temperate fruits. Acta Hort. 873:19-36.
- Granatstein, D., Wiman, M., Kirby, E., Mullinix, K. 2010. Sustainability trade-offs in organic orchard floor management. Acta Hort. 873:115-122.
- Lammerts van Bueren, E.T., S.S. Jones, L. Tamm, K. Murphy, J.R. Myers, C. Leifert, M.M. Messmer. 2010. The need to breed crop varieties suitable for organic farming using wheat, tomato and broccoli as examples: A review. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences (in press). doi:10.1016/j.njas.2010.04.001
- Matanguihan, G.J.B., K. Murphy, S.S. Jones. 2010. (in press). Control of common bunt in organic wheat. Plant Disease
- Miles, C., J. Roozen, G. Sterrett, and J. King. 2010. Organic vineyard establishment: trellis and planting stock considerations. Web page http://maritimefruit.wsu.edu/Establishing_Organic_Vineyard.pdf
- Miles, C., J. Roozen, G. Sterrett, and J. King. 2010. Organic vineyard establishment: trellis and planting stock considerations. Sustaining the Pacific Northwest. WSU Extension newsletter, Vol 8(2):5-8. http://csanr.wsu.edu/publications/SPNW/SPNW-v8-n2.pdf
- Miles, C., M. Olmstead, C. Bolton, S. Johnson, G. Sterrett, and J.King 2009. Web page: Organic Viticulture Resources. http://winegrapes.wsu.edu/organic.html
- Mullinix, K. and D. Granatstein. 2010. Potential nitrogen contributions from legumes in Pacific Northwest apple orchards. Submitted to Intl. J. Fruit Science.
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