Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The overall target audience that was the focus of this effort included: 1. Specialty crop growers, emphasizing vegetable producers utilizing transitional- and/or certified-organic approaches and ones interested in learming more about selecting, using, and evaluating the performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants; 2. Private- and public-sector advisors to the target audience of specialty crop growers, with advisors including county- and state-level cooperative extension personnel, consultants, educators, and members of grower and trade organizations and the agricultural/trade media offering technical content via programs, publications, and other resources; and 3. Scientists and other technical professionals involved in developing, evaluating, distrbuting, and/or marketing microbe-containing crop biostimulants, emphasizing the community of scientists and other professionals specifically enganged in these activities as they target specialty crop growers. Membershp in this audience was not restricted by the size, geography, age, or other factors of the operation or to the backgound of its proprietors or members. Efforts reached historically disadvantaged populations. We partnered with farmers, organizations, biostimulant manufacturers, and extension-research colleagues to develop technically rigorous, consensus-based, and user-oriented educational and decision-making resources. We demonstrated replicable processes for evaluating microbe-containign crop biostimulants (MCCSs) that minimizes guess-work in selecting and using them and evaluating their economic benefits. Experiments addressed questions about inoculant-crop-production setting combinations and inoculation timing and rate. Team and grower-chosen MCCSs (single-species, single-genus multi-species, multi-genera) were applied to butternut squash, carrot, lettuce, spinach, and tomato grown on (transitional)-organic farms and at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and University of Tennessee locations. Inoculation timing and rate treatments were tested in individual experiments during the crop cycle (e.g., before seeding, during transplant production, after transplanting). Similar experiments were completed in open fields, and under low-, mid- and high tunnels. Crop development and productivity were tracked from seeding through harvest with crop yield and MCCs costs available for economic analysis. Farmer experiences with MCCSs were also documented and summarized. Material, digital, and human networking resources helped ensure new research-based information was and will remain widely available in user-friendly formats. Overall, we helped improve farmers' immediate capacities to sensibly and reliably integrate MCCSs into their toolboxes while also fostering durable gains in farmers' on-farm research skills and in resources educators can apply in serving (transitional)-organic farmers. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic presented problems for the project because it compromised the ability to complete specific research and extension activities targeted for much of the final project year and no-cost extension period. Beginning in mid-March 2020, without advance notice, OSU project personnel had little or no access to research facilities, materials, supplies, and assistance, and to stakeholders as they also responded to the pandemic. The completion of select on-station and on-farm experiments, data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and extension activities was slowed or completely prevented as a result. Also, the lead project technician and outreach assistant at The OSU accepted a new position in 2020 and could not be replaced due to pandemic-based restrictions on institutional hiring. Seasonal, part-time staff essential to the completion of routine activities also could not be hired. These challenges were addressed by directing time and effort to data analysis and summarization, virtual extension activities (including presentations and stakeholder consultations), and participation in industry-led working groups focused on creating and strengthening mechanisms for improving users' confidence in MC BSs/BFs. Working groups were formed as a result of ongoing conversation with and within industry in response to: a) project findings and related messaging, b) newly adopted USDA Farm Bill language defining biostimulants, and c) other factors. Project activities prior to 2020 were directly responsible for the project PI receiving an invitation to participate in the working groups and similar coordinated industry activities with the potential to benefit stakeholders. The project PI was either the sole academic member or only member with a university-based, stakeholder-focused position. Participation in the working groups is further evidence of the collaborative, stakeholder-focused networks established by the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two major types of training and professional development opportunities provided by the project were: 1. For project leaders and personnel, an opportunity to engage with stakeholders in research and extension activities on increasingly important topics. Very important, the project topic is not only increasingly important to stakeholders but also one with which many research-extension personnel, including project members, had comparitively little experience prior to undertaking the project. Therefore, the project was an opportunity for them to develop critical experience and expertise and assist others in doing the same. This expertise represents multiple areas of interest including the handling, application, and evaluation of microbe-containing crop biostimulants and stakeholder-focused and data-driven discussion of their potential roles on farms. 2. For stakeholders, an opportunity to participate as co-learners and instructors in developing and disseminating novel, timely, and in-demand research-based information. Much excitement exists around the potential value of microbe crop biostimulants, especially on (transtional)-organic (vegetable) farms. Still, greater levels of confusion surround the individual, unavoidable processes of product selection, use, and evaluation. The project created a structure through which stakeholders were able to set a personalized research and/or outreach/dissemination agenda, apply and enhance their core research and/or outreach skills, and assess the outcomes of their activities. Hundreds of microbe-containing crop biostimulants are commercially available. That, coupled with the large number of crops to which they can be applied, large number of environments under which they can be applied, and large number of application factors (e.g., rate, timing) that can be used, makes any attempt to identify "the best product" for any particular crop-environment extremely difficult. Therefore, instead of direct product comparison, the project emphasized the development of durable and reliable on-farm and on-station evaluation methdology. So, stakeholders were engaged in developing information leading to methods they can rely on going forward. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in multiple formats (print, digital, oral/audio) and settings (on-farm and program, individual and group level consultation, instruction, demonstration, collaboration) using approaches known to be effective at addressing the needs of large and diverse communities of stakeholders with regard to selecting, using, and evaluating the effects of microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Dissemination included: (a) collaboration in on-farm and on-station research; (b) press, extension, and technical articles and newsletters; (c) presentations during industy and technical conferences, conventions, and similar programs; (d) interactive workshops, podcasts, and webinars; (e) call-in conversations and radio interviews; (f) databases and viewable and downloadable resources at webpages and blogs; (g) field days; (h) individual and small group consultations; and (i) responses to spontaneous requests for information by phone and email. In total, we engaged more than seventeen farmers in six states directly in research, published more than eighteen trade and technical articles, delivered more than thirty presentations at industry and extension programs, hosted six call-in conversations and four workshops, participated in four field days, created and renewed content at one project website, and responded to more than two-hundred spontaneoues requests for project-related information from across the U.S. and Canada. We reached thousands of growers and hundreds of extension and industry advisors and researchers directly and/or indirectly through our dissemination activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments by project goal included: Goal 1. Evaluate selected MC BSs/BFs on farms and research stations using crop and financial metrics Seven MC BSs/BFs representing major classes of this product category were included in multi-year experiments completed on two research stations and seventeen farms across seven states. Individual on-station experiments involved three product timing or three rate application treatments and up to six crops grown in field and high tunnel settings whereas indivudual on-farm experiments involved fewer products, crops, treatments, and settings. Evaluation of product effects included ratings and measures of crop development, total and marketable yield, and quality using physical and chemical criteria scored or measured in the field, postharvest evaluation area, or laboratory. Overall, we learned that MC BS/BF application is just as likely to lead to gains in crop yield as to not result in statistically significant increases in productivity. Collectively, these evaluations appear to be the only examples of their type in terms of scope, scale, and purpose. Therefore, datasets developed during evaluations will continue to provide project and other professionals with valuable opportunities to examine MC BS/BF effects on crops and farms and environmental effects on MC BS/BF performance. Goal 2. Expand and strengthen a growing network of farmers, MC BS/BF manufacturers, scientists, educators, and consultants engaged in evaluating and reporting on the performance of MC BSs/BFs. Project research and outreach/dissemination activities took place directly in nineteen U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, although the extension and industry programs hosted in those locations included participants representing other states, provinces, and countries. Similarly, research and outreach/dissemination also engaged a wide range of academic and industry professionals representing the research and development, MC BS/BF distribution, marketing, and use and extension/education and outreach sectors. The project reached, engaged, and joined stakeholders representing a significant cross-section of people interested in developing, marketing, using, or evaluating MC BSs/BFs or advising or educating people about those processes. Also, critically, delibrate steps were taken to include stahkeholders representng different sectors and expertise in individual research or extension/dissemination activities. As a result, (a) project personnel and others gained a balanced, holistic perspecitve on MC BS/BF selection, use, and evaluation; (b) stakeholders and project personnel identified much-needed partners and future collaborators; and (c) were prepared to contribute to individual and collaborative efforts focused on one or more components of the MC BS/BF develop-distribute-market-select-use-evaluate-report chain. Goal 3. Establish, share, and help stakeholders implement core components of user-centered guidelines for the best practical use of MC BSs/BFs during (transitional-)organic vegetable production. This goal focused on user "user-centered guidelines for the best practical use of MC BSs/BFs during (transitional-)organic vegetable production." Identification of what qualifies guidelines as "user-centered" and "best practical" began during project development and was significantly strengthened during project execution. Direct consultation with stakeholders beginning before proposal development and continuing through project completion revealed dilemmas and questions stakeholders encounter and ask when selecting, applying, and/or evaluating MC BSs/BFs or advising or educating others in those activities. Addressing these dilemmas and questions became and remained the focal point of all project activities. Therefore, while specific core components of the guidelines were established through conducting and examining field and high tunnel research, continual dialogue with stakeholders and other experts also yielded key insights on addressing individual dilemmas and questions. With guidelines in hand and a network in place able to help update them, focused and collaborative outreach/extension as described elsewhere in this report were undertaken to share and help stakeholders implement core components of the guidelines. This approach led to project personnel and stakeholders acting as both learners and educators, in a reciprocal, iterative process capable of fostering continual improvement in user-centered, best practical MC BS/BF guidelines.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Wright, N., S. Walker, M. Spigos, and M.D. Kleinhenz. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in vegetable production: product expectations and evaluation statistics driving next-generation research and extension. HortSci 55(9):S49
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. A summary of research and recommendations regarding the use and performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants in (transitional)-organic vegetable production. Upper Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Conference (St. Cloud, MN).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in vegetable production: What do we know? Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention (Hershey, PA).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Lessons learned about microbe-containing crop biostimulants: a view from research and extension. Ohio Produce Network (Columbus, OH).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants on your farm. Great Lakes Vegetable Producers Network podcast (Ohio, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Minnesota, Nebraska).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants: what we know, what we need to know. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (Michigan).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. Experiences with and recommendations regarding microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Online Instructional Series (St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada).
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. Updates to the project- and topic-related portions of https://u.osu.edu/vegprolab/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLobeafNYEAi_Pxg6pnU2Tw
|
Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included: Specialty crop growers, emphasizing vegetable producers utilizing transitional- and/or certified-organic approaches and ones interested in learning more about selecting, using, and evaluating the performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants; Private- and public-sector advisors to the target audience of specialty crop growers, with advisors including county- and state-level cooperative extension personnel, consultants, educators, and members of grower and trade organizations and the agricultural/trade media offering technical content via programs, publications, and other resources; and Scientists and other technical professionals involved in developing, evaluating, distributing, and/or marketing microbe-containing crop biostimulants, emphasizing the community of scientists and other professionals specifically engaged in these activities as they target specialty crop growers. Membership in this audience was not restricted by the size, geography, age, or other factors of the operation or to the background of its proprietors or members. Efforts reached historically disadvantaged populations. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic limited access to on-farm and on-station research and extension sites. Communication with stakeholders and team members continued by phone, text, email, and videoconference. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? For project leaders and personnel, an opportunity to engage with stakeholders in research and extension activities on increasingly important topics. Very important, the project topic is not only increasingly important to stakeholders but also one with which many research-extension personnel, including project members, had comparatively little experience prior to undertaking the project. Therefore, activities in 2019-2021/2 represented opportunities for project personnel to develop critical experience and expertise and assist others in doing the same. This expertise represents multiple areas of interest including the handling, application, and evaluation of microbe-containing crop biostimulants and stakeholder-focused and data-driven discussion of their potential roles on farms. For stakeholders, an opportunity to participate as co-learners and instructors in developing and disseminating novel, timely, and in-demand research-based information. Much excitement exists around the potential value of microbe crop biostimulants, especially on (transitional)-organic (vegetable) farms. Still, greater levels of confusion surround the individual, unavoidable processes of product selection, use, and evaluation. Activities in 2019-2021/2 provided a structure through which stakeholders were able to set a personalized research and/or outreach/dissemination agenda, apply and enhance their core research and/or outreach skills, and assess the outcomes of their activities. Hundreds of microbe-containing crop biostimulants are commercially available. That, coupled with the large number of crops to which they can be applied, large number of environments under which they can be applied, and large number of application factors (e.g., rate, timing) that can be used, makes any attempt to identify "the best product" for any particular crop-environment extremely difficult. Therefore, instead of direct product comparison, activities in 2019-2021/2 emphasized the development of durable and reliable on-farm and on-station evaluation methodology. So, stakeholders were engaged in developing information leading to methods they can rely on going forward. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in multiple formats (print, digital, oral/audio) and settings (on-farm and program, individual and group level consultation, instruction, demonstration, collaboration) using approaches known to be effective at addressing the needs of large and diverse communities of stakeholders with regard to selecting, using, and evaluating the effects of microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Dissemination included: (a) collaboration in on-farm and on-station research; (b) press, extension, and technical articles and newsletters; (c) presentations during industry and technical conferences, conventions, and similar programs; (d) databases and viewable and downloadable resources at webpages and blogs; (e) individual and small group consultations; and (f) responses to spontaneous requests for information by phone and email. In total, we engaged two farmers directly in research, published five trade articles, delivered four presentations at industry, extension, and technical programs, created and renewed content at one project website, and responded to more than twenty spontaneous requests for project-related information from across the U.S. and Canada. We reached hundreds of growers and dozens of extension and industry advisors and researchers directly and/or indirectly through our dissemination activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our integrated, collaborative, and stakeholder-focused activities have achieved the expected and desired outcomes, although additional work is ongoing, including as completed by other teams drawing on our experience.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1. Evaluate selected MC BSs/BFs on farms and research stations using crop and financial metrics Data collection in experiments including six MC BSs/BFs representing major classes of this product category was completed at the research station. Individual on-station experiments involved three product timing or three rate application treatments and up to six crops grown in field and high tunnel settings. Evaluation of product effects included ratings and measures of crop development, total and marketable yield, and quality using physical and chemical criteria scored or measured in the field, postharvest evaluation area, or laboratory. Goal 2. Expand and strengthen a growing network of farmers, MC BS/BF manufacturers, scientists, educators, and consultants engaged in evaluating and reporting on the performance of MC BSs/BFs. Project research and outreach/dissemination activities took place directly in eight U.S. states snd Ontario, Canada, although the extension and industry programs hosted in those locations included participants representing other states, provinces, and countries. Similarly, research and outreach/dissemination also engaged a wide range of academic and industry professionals representing the research and development, MC BS/BF distribution, marketing, and use and extension/education and outreach sectors. Effort in 2019-2021/2 reached, engaged, and joined stakeholders representing a significant cross-section of people interested in developing, marketing, using, or evaluating MC BSs/BFs or advising or educating people about those processes. Also, critically, deliberate steps were taken to include stakeholders representing different sectors and expertise in individual research or extension/dissemination activities. Goal 3. Establish, share, and help stakeholders implement core components of user-centered guidelines for the best practical use of MC BSs/BFs during (transitional-)organic vegetable production. Integrated research-extension activities in 2019-2021/2 and prior reporting periods achieved signifianct progress toward Goal 3 as evidenced by the number of invited presentations, workshops, and on-farm and other programs to which project personnel were asked by stakeholders to contribute. This effort served as a strong foundation for follow-up projects led by other investigators and teams. We are confident our continued focus on "user-centered" and "best practical" guidelines and commitment to active engagement of stakeholders will lead to additional success with Goal 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in the farming toolbox. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Acres USA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulant science and application. Invited, 45-minute presentation to and fielding questions during follow-up discussion with the Board of Directors of the Soil Health Institute (Raleigh, North Carolina).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Development and utilization of microbe-containing biostimulants for vegetables. Invited presentation given at the 2019 National Association for Independent Crop Consultants Meeting in Savannah, GA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in organic vegetable production: lessons and messages from farmers, researchers, and manufacturers. Poster presented at the 2019 Organic Agriculture Research Forum in Portland, OR.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Research newly completed and started. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/05/25/research-newly-completed-and-started/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Muck Crops Research-Extension Breakfast Meeting. Monthly meeting to discuss current ag topics and research including on microbial biostimulants.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Muck Crops Research-Extension Breakfast Meeting (June 2019). Monthly meeting to discuss current ag topics and research including on microbial biostimulants.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Making up lost ground (actually, for lost plants or leaves). Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/07/06/making-up-lost-ground-actually-for-lost-plants-or-leaves/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Harvests of data hopefully increase harvests of money. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/08/24/harvests-of-data-hopefully-increase-harvests-of-money/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. From new and unusual to common (or maybe not): the dynamic world of specialty varieties. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/09/28/from-new-and-unusual-to-common-or-maybe-not-the-dynamic-world-of-specialty-varieties/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants on your farm. Great Lakes Vegetable Producers Network podcast (Ohio, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Minnesota, Nebraska).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants: what we know, what we need to know. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (Michigan).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. Experiences with and recommendations regarding microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Online Instructional Series (St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osC8FQlghEU&list=PLXP-9RICLl-PD2s-O7rexJVMdnwAb9j0w&index=25
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. What are biostimulants? OSU/VPSL Microbe-containing bioproducts database referenced as resource in October 2019 UMASS Extension Vegetable Notes Newsletter available at https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/newsletters/october_17_2019_vegetable_notes.pdf
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Wright, N., S. Walker, M. Spigos, and M.D. Kleinhenz. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in vegetable production: product expectations and evaluation statistics driving next-generation research and extension. HortSci 55(9):S49
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. A summary of research and recommendations regarding the use and performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants in (transitional)-organic vegetable production. Upper Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Conference (St. Cloud, MN).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in vegetable production: What do we know? Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention (Hershey, PA).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2020. Lessons learned about microbe-containing crop biostimulants: a view from research and extension. Ohio Produce Network (Columbus, OH).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Biostimulants and plant starters: make room for them in your toolbox? District 1 Processing Vegetable Growers Tomato Day; Chatham, ONT, Canada
|
Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included: 1. Specialty crop growers, emphasizing vegetable producers utilizing transitional- and/or certified-organic approaches and ones interested in learming more about selecting, using, and evaluating the performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants; 2. Private- and public-sector advisors to the target audience of specialty crop growers, with advisors including county- and state-level cooperative extension personnel, consultants, educators, and members of grower and trade organizations and the agricultural/trade media offering technical content via programs, publications, and other resources; and 3. Scientists and other technical professionals involved in developing, evaluating, distrbuting, and/or marketing microbe-containingcrop biostimulants, emphasizing the community of scientists and other professionals specifically enganged in these activities as they target specialty crop growers. Membershp in this audience was not restricted by the size, geography, age, or other factors of the operation or to the backgound of its proprietors or members. Efforts reached historically disadvantaged populations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? For project leaders and personnel, an opportunity to engage with stakeholders in research and extension activities on increasingly important topics. Very important, the project topic is not only increasingly important to stakeholders but also one with which many research-extension personnel, including project members, had comparatively little experience prior to undertaking the project. Therefore, activities in this reporting period represented opportunities for project personnel to develop critical experience and expertise and assist others in doing the same. This expertise represents multiple areas of interest including the handling, application, and evaluation of microbe-containing crop biostimulants and stakeholder-focused and data-driven discussion of their potential roles on farms. For stakeholders, an opportunity to participate as co-learners and instructors in developing and disseminating novel, timely, and in-demand research-based information. Much excitement exists around the potential value of microbe crop biostimulants, especially on (transitional)-organic (vegetable) farms. Still, greater levels of confusion surround the individual, unavoidable processes of product selection, use, and evaluation. Activities in this period provided a structure through which stakeholders were able to set a personalized research and/or outreach/dissemination agenda, apply and enhance their core research and/or outreach skills, and assess the outcomes of their activities. Hundreds of microbe-containing crop biostimulants are commercially available. That, coupled with the large number of crops to which they can be applied, large number of environments under which they can be applied, and large number of application factors (e.g., rate, timing) that can be used, makes any attempt to identify "the best product" for any particular crop-environment extremely difficult. Therefore, instead of direct product comparison, activities in this period emphasized the development of durable and reliable on-farm and on-station evaluation methodology. So, stakeholders were engaged in developing information leading to methods they can rely on going forward. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in multiple formats (print, digital, oral/audio) and settings (on-farm and program, individual and group level consultation, instruction, demonstration, collaboration) using approaches known to be effective at addressing the needs of large and diverse communities of stakeholders with regard to selecting, using, and evaluating the effects of microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Dissemination included: (a) collaboration in on-farm and on-station research; (b) press, extension, and technical articles and newsletters; (c) presentations during industry and technical conferences, conventions, and similar programs; (d) databases and viewable and downloadable resources at webpages and blogs; (e) individual and small group consultations; and (f) responses to spontaneous requests for information by phone and email. In total, we engaged two farmers directly in research, published five trade articles, delivered four presentations at industry, extension, and technical programs, created and renewed content at one project website, and responded to more than twenty spontaneous requests for project-related information from across the U.S. and Canada. We reached hundreds of growers and dozens of extension and industry advisors and researchers directly and/or indirectly through our dissemination activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our integrated, collaborative, and stakeholder-focused activities are having the expected and desired outcomes. Significant changes in fundamental approach appear to be unwarranted. For the next reporting period, we plan to maintain our core goals and methodologies while examining individual steps and techniques to identify how effectiveness and/or efficiency can be improved.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1. Evaluate selected MC BSs/BFs on farms and research stations using crop and financial metrics Six MC BSs/BFs representing major classes of this product category were included in experiments completed on two research stations in two states and two farms in Ohio. Individual on-station experiments involved three product timing or three rate application treatments and up to six crops grown in field and high tunnel settings whereas individual on-farm experiments involved fewer products, crops, treatments, and settings. Evaluation of product effects included ratings and measures of crop development, total and marketable yield, and quality using physical and chemical criteria scored or measured in the field, postharvest evaluation area, or laboratory. Goal 2. Expand and strengthen a growing network of farmers, MC BS/BF manufacturers, scientists, educators, and consultants engaged in evaluating and reporting on the performance of MC BSs/BFs. Project research and outreach/dissemination activities took place directly in four U.S. states, although the extension and industry programs hosted in those locations included participants representing other states, provinces, and countries. Similarly, research and outreach/dissemination also engaged a wide range of academic and industry professionals representing the research and development, MC BS/BF distribution, marketing, and use and extension/education and outreach sectors. Effort in 2019 reached, engaged, and joined stakeholders representing a significant cross-section of people interested in developing, marketing, using, or evaluating MC BSs/BFs or advising or educating people about those processes. Also, critically, deliberate steps were taken to include stakeholders representing different sectors and expertise in individual research or extension/dissemination activities. Goal 3. Establish, share, and help stakeholders implement core components of user-centered guidelines for the best practical use of MC BSs/BFs during (transitional-)organic vegetable production. Achieving Goal 3 will require the entire project period. Integrated research-extension activities in 2019 achieved a measure of progress toward Goal 3 as evidenced by the number of invited presentations, workshops, and on-farm and other programs to which project personnel were asked by stakeholders to contribute. We are confident our continued focus on "user-centered" and "best practical" guidelines and commitment to active engagement of stakeholders will lead to success with Goal 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Crop microbial biostimulants: What, why, and how? Invited presentation given at the 37th Annual Long Island Agricultural Forum in Riverhead, New York.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials overview and next steps. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Indiana Horticultural Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants: What we know, what is important to learn. Workshop held at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials summary and discussion. Presented at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbial biostimulants overview. Invited presentation given at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbes in your toolbox? Lets talk. Invited presentation given at the 2018 SARE Farmers⿿ Forum in Danville, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulants: What are they and how can I make them work for me? Invited presentation given at 2018 BioControls West in Carlsbad, California.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Big claims, big questions. Published in the Spring 2018 OEFFA Newsletter. http://u.osu.edu/dist/9/24091/files/2016/12/oeffa-spr18-nwsltr-mcrbls-1-2-q81mq1.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Researchers Share Five ⿿Fast Facts to Help Growers Understand Biofertilizers. Published by MOSES Organic Broadcaster, July/August 2018 issue https://mosesorganic.org/biofertilizers/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Progress through private-public sector partnerships: issues and approaches. Invited presentation given at the New Ag International Biostimulant Summit in Chicago, IL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Klenhenz, M.D. 2018. Key steps, including on-farm evaluation, in getting the most from biostimulants. Workshop/field-day and crop walk on on Wayne County, Ohio farm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Improving labels: an important step in advancing the use of crop biostimulants. Invited panelist and panel moderator for Crops and Chemicals Biostimulant/Biofertilizer Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Assessing the Influence of Microbe-containing Crop Biostimulants on Vegetable Crops and Farms through On-station and On-farm Study. Oral presentation during the Annual Meetings of the American Society for Horticultural Science (Washington, D.C.) to an audience of extension-research colleagues from the U.S. and other countries. Recordings of the presentation are available at https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2018/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/29281.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. OSUE Wayne County IPM scout training. Presentation and field walk at OARDC, Wooster, OH.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Fruit Yield and Quality in a Strip Till Tomato Systems as Influenced by Grafted Plants and Crop Biostimulants. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at https://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2018/09/01/fruit-yield-and-quality-in-a-strip-till-tomato-system-as-influenced-by-grafted-plants-and-crop-biostimulants/
|
Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included: 1. Specialty crop growers, emphasizing vegetable producers utilizing transitional- and/or certified-organic approaches and ones interested in learming more about selecting, using, and evaluating the performance of microbe-containing crop biostimulants; 2. Private- and public-sector advisors to the target audience of specialty crop growers, with advisors including county- and state-level cooperative extension personnel, consultants, educators, and members of grower and trade organizations and the agricultural/trade media offering technical content via programs, publications, and other resources; and 3. Scientists and other technical professionals involved in developing, evaluating, distrbuting, and/or marketing microbecontaining crop biostimulants, emphasizing the community of scientists and other professionals specifically enganged in these activities as they target specialty crop growers. Membershp in this audience was not restricted by the size, geography, age, or other factors of the operation or to the backgound of its proprietors or members. Efforts reached historically disadvantaged populations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. For project leaders and personnel, an opportunity to engage with stakeholders in research and extension activities on increasingly important topics. Very important, the project topic is not only increasingly important to stakeholders but also one with which many research-extension personnel, including project members, had comparitively little experience prior to undertaking the project. Therefore, activities in 2018 represented opportunities for project personnel to develop critical experience and expertise and assist others in doing the same. This expertise represents multiple areas of interest including the handling, application, and evaluation of microbe-containing crop biostimulants and stakeholder-focused and data-driven discussion of their potential roles on farms. 2. For stakeholders, an opportunity to participate as co-learners and instructors in developing and disseminating novel, timely, and in-demand research-based information. Much excitement exists around the potential value of microbe crop biostimulants, especially on (transtional)-organic (vegetable) farms. Still, greater levels of confusion surround the individual, unavoidable processes of product selection, use, and evaluation. Activities in 2018 provided a structure through which stakeholders were able to set a personalized research and/or outreach/dissemination agenda, apply and enhance their core research and/or outreach skills, and assess the outcomes of their activities. Hundreds of microbe-containing crop biostimulants are commercially available. That, coupled with the large number of crops to which they can be applied, large number of environments under which they can be applied, and large number of application factors (e.g., rate, timing) that can be used, makes any attempt to identify "the best product" for any particular crop-environment extremely difficult. Therefore, instead of direct product comparison, activities in 2018 emphasized the development of durable and reliable on-farm and on-station evaluation methdology. So, stakeholders were engaged in developing information leading to methods they can rely on going forward. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in multiple formats (print, digital, oral/audio) and settings (on-farm and program, individual and group level consultation, instruction, demonstration, collaboration) using approaches known to be effective at addressing the needs of large and diverse communities of stakeholders with regard to selecting, using, and evaluating the effects of microbecontaining crop biostimulants. Dissemination included: (a) collaboration in on-farm and on-station research; (b) press, extension, and technical articles and newsletters; (c) presentations during industy and technical conferences, conventions, and similar programs; (d) interactive workshops; (e) databases and viewable and downloadable resources at webpages and blogs; (f) field days; (g) individual and small group consultations; and (i) responses to spontaneous requests for information by phone and email. In total, we engaged more than seven farmers in five states directly in research, published more than three trade and technical articles, delivered more than ten presentations at industry, extension, and technical programs, hosted and/or participated in three workshops and field days, created and renewed content at one project website, and responded to more than twenty-five spontaneoues requests for project-related information from across the U.S. and Canada. We reached hundreds of growers and dozens of extension and industry advisors and researchers directly and/or indirectly through our dissemination activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Our integrated, collaborative, and stakeholder-focused activities are beginning to achieve the expected and desired outcomes. Significant changes in fundamental approach appear to be unwarranted. For the next reporting period, we plan to maintain our core goals and methodologies while examining individual steps and techniques in order to identify how effectiveness and/or efficiency can be improved.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1. Evaluate selected MC BSs/BFs on farms and research stations using crop and financial metrics Six MC BSs/BFs representing major classes of this product category were included in experiments completed on two research stations and seven farms across four states. Individual on-station experiments involved three product timing or three rate application treatments and up to six crops grown in field and high tunnel settings whereas individual on-farm experiments involved fewer products, crops, treatments, and settings. Evaluation of product effects included ratings and measures of crop development, total and marketable yield, and quality using physical and chemical criteria scored or measured in the field, postharvest evaluation area, or laboratory. Goal 2. Expand and strengthen a growing network of farmers, MC BS/BF manufacturers, scientists, educators, and consultants engaged in evaluating and reporting on the performance of MC BSs/BFs. Project research and outreach/dissemination activities took place directly in nine U.S. states and one Canadian province, although the extension and industry programs hosted in those locations included participants representing other states, provinces, and countries. Similarly, research and outreach/dissemination also engaged a wide range of academic and industry professionals representing the research and development, MC BS/BF distribution, marketing, and use and extension/education and outreach sectors. Effort in 2018 reached, engaged, and joined stakeholders representing a significant cross-section of people interested in developing, marketing, using, or evaluating MC BSs/BFs or advising or educating people about those processes. Also, critically, delibrate steps were taken to include stakeholders representng different sectors and expertise in individual research or extension/dissemination activities. Goal 3. Establish, share, and help stakeholders implement core components of user-centered guidelines for the best practical use of MC BSs/BFs during (transitional-)organic vegetable production. Achieing Goal 3 will require the entire project period. Integrated research-extension activities in 2018 achieved a measure of progress toward Goal 3 as evidenced by the number of invited presentations, workshops, and on-farm and other programs to which project personnel were asked by stakeholders to contribute. We are confident our continued focus on "user-centered" and "best practical" guidelines and commitment to active engagement of stakeholders will lead to success with Goal 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Crop microbial biostimulants: What, why, and how? Invited presentation given at the 37th Annual Long Island Agricultural Forum in Riverhead, New York
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials overview and next steps. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Indiana Horticultural Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants: What we know, what is important to learn. Workshop held at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials summary and discussion. Presented at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbial biostimulants overview. Invited presentation given at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbes in your toolbox? Let's talk. Invited presentation given at the 2018 SARE Farmers Forum in Danville, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulants: What are they and how can I make them work for me? Invited presentation given at 2018 BioControls West in Carlsbad, California.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Big claims, big questions. Published in the Spring 2018 OEFFA Newsletter. http://u.osu.edu/dist/9/24091/files/2016/12/oeffa-spr18-nwsltr-mcrbls-1-2-q81mq1.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Researchers Share Five Fast Facts to Help Growers Understand Biofertilizers. Published by MOSES Organic Broadcaster, July/August 2018 issue https://mosesorganic.org/biofertilizers/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Progress through private-public sector partnerships: issues and approaches. Invited presentation given at the New Ag International Biostimulant Summit in Chicago, IL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Key steps, including on-farm evaluation, in getting the most from biostimulants. Workshop/field-day and crop walk on Wayne County, Ohio farm. (100 attendees)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Improving labels: an important step in advancing the use of crop biostimulants. Invited panelist and panel moderator for Crops and Chemicals Biostimulant/Biofertilizer Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Assessing the Influence of Microbe-containing Crop Biostimulants on Vegetable Crops and Farms through On-station and On-farm Study. Oral presentation during the Annual Meetings of the American Society for Horticultural Science (Washington, D.C.) to an audience of extension-research colleagues from the U.S. and other countries. Recordings of the presentation are available at https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2018/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/29281.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. OSUE Wayne County IPM scout training. Presentation and field walk at OARDC, Wooster, OH. (6 attendees)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Fruit Yield and Quality in a Strip Till Tomato Systems as Influenced by Grafted Plants and Crop Biostimulants. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at https://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2018/09/01/fruit-yield-and-quality-in-a-strip-till-tomato-system-as-influenced-by-grafted-plants-and-crop-biostimulants/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in the farming toolbox. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Acres USA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulant science and application. Invited, 45-minute presentation to and fielding questions during follow-up discussion with the Board of Directors of the Soil Health Institute (Raleigh, North Carolina).
|
Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The leading target audience for this effort includes transitional- and certifid-organic vegetable growers, their private- and public-sector advisors and information providers, and developers and manufacturers of microbe-containing crop biostimulants (MCCBs), which are the focus of our experimentation and extension/outreach. Effort during the reporting period demonstrated: 1) that outcomes from inoculating vegetable crops with MCCBSs differ by crop, product, application rate, application timing, season, and variable studied; and 2) that care must be taken in selecting, using, and evaluating the performance of MCCBSs. Changes/Problems:The pandemic has had two major effects on the project. First, beginning in early March-2020, it altered the timeline of various activities, with various key ones needing to be temporarily delayed, at minimum. Second, while all attempts have been made to maintain all planned activities, some needed to be canceled or replaced. Developing and completing suitable alternatives consistent with project goals and resources has been and will remain our focus through project end and we look forward to reporting on success in that regard. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided substantive opportunities for training and professional development to a large range and number of rising and experienced professionals. Examples include: Dr. Zheng Wang; former post-doctoral researcher with the project and currently, Area Vegetable and Irrigation Advisor (Stanislaus County) with Univ. of California Cooperative Extension. Dr. Wang joined the project team with knowledge of cropping system effects on plant-microbe dynamics. While with the project team, Dr. Wang gained experience in experimental design, extension/outreach, microbe-containing crop biostimulant (MCCB) development, use, and evaluation, and other topics. He applies this new knowledge in his current role. Nicole Wright, MPHM; currently, Program Coordinator with The OSU Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory (VPSL) and lead technical contributor to the project. Ms. Wright joined the project team with extensive experience in extension/outreach, but none focused on MCCBs. While with the project team, Ms. Wright has gained additional experience in extension/outreach and in MCCB-related experimental design and other research methodology, microbe-containing crop biostimulant development, use, and evaluation, and related topics. She continues to both increase and apply her knowledge and skills through engaging in project activities. Sonia Walker, B.S.; currently, Research Associate with The OSU Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory (VPSL) and technical contributor to the project. Ms. Walker joined the project team with extensive experience in the conduct of field and high tunnel research, but very little focused on MCCBs. While with the project team, Ms. Walker has gained additional experience in MCCB-related research methodology (principally product handling and application and data analysis). She continues to both increase and apply her knowledge and skills through engaging in project activities. Mark Spigos, B.S.; currently, Agricultural Technician with The OSU Vegetable Production Systems Laboratory (VPSL) and technical contributor to the project. Mr. Spigos joined the project team with little experience in the conduct of field and high tunnel research and none focused on MCCBs. While with the project team, Mr. Spigos has gained valuable experience in multiple aspects of MCCB-related research methodology (seeding through sample analysis). He continues to both increase and apply his knowledge and skills through engaging in project activities. Dana Hilfinger, M.S.; formerly, technical contributor to the project team and currently, Program Coordinator with The OSU Initiative for Food and Agricultural Transformation (InFACT Program). Ms. Hilfinger joined the project team with private sector experience in extension/outreach, high tunnel use, and on-farm research but none involving MCCBs. While with the project team, Ms. Hilfinger gained additional experience in all these areas specifically as MCCB evaluation and potential grower success are at stake. She applies knowledge and skills gained while with the VPSL in her current role. In addition to these specific examples, members of the following groups benefitted from engaging in project-based training and professional development activities and/or direct consultation with project team members: 1) County Extension Educators and Specialists; 2) Industry Research and Development and Outreach/Communications Professionals; and 3) Undergraduate Research Aides who participated in project activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Overall, to-date, OH-based personnel have: a) published a total of 14 articles in public, trade, and extension outlets; b) delivered 23 talks and presentations; c) hosted 3 field days; and d) provided several radio interviews, blog posts, and calendar listings. Print, online articles: Articles addressed grower questions regarding how to better select, use, and evaluate microbial biostimulants in vegetable crop production, understand their place in a grower's toolbox, and discuss some of the claims and questions this group of crop inputs present. Outlets included those with regional and national reach and estimated distribution of more than 1,000 (OEFFA newsletter, MOSES Broadcaster, Growing Produce, and Agribusiness Global) along with more local and state-centered outlets with estimated distribution of 500 or less (OSU's VegNet, Hightunnels.org, and Tilth as examples). Invited and volunteered talks and presentations: A unique series of six call-in conversations (3 in 2017, 3 in 2018) aimed at increasing grower success with microbial biostimulants were coordinated by the project team. The series attracted 192 registrants from 28 U.S. cities, plus D.C and five international countries (Canada, Spain, Germany, and Angola). These calls were opportunities for growers, researchers, Extension, and industry to dialogue and ask questions for ninety minutes each and dig deeper into the selection, use, and evaluation of microbial biostimulants in vegetable crop production. Eleven University faculty and Extension, 10 company representatives, and 1 organic certifier served as expert panelists throughout the series. Presentations have been delivered at annual conferences, summits, forums, and meetings with a focus on grower audiences (ACRES USA, Indiana Hort Congress, Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association Conference, Ohio Produce Network, SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Long Island Ag Forum, Great Lakes Expo, SARE Farmer's Forum, and Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference). Interactive sessions covered the role these inputs have in organic systems and grower's toolboxes, their best practical use, and the "whys" and "hows" of selecting, using, and evaluating their performance. A subset of professional, academic, and industry audiences were also addressed (World Congress on Biostimulants, Crops and Chemicals Biostimulant/Biofertilizer Conference, New Ag International Biostimulant Summit, American Society for Horticultural Science, and NAICC Annual Meeting). Field days: Four opportunities were provided for overviews of field and high tunnel research projects in progress, 2017-2019, at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, Ohio. One targeted at a general grower audience, covered research in progress, examined fields, discussed experimental process and goals, and opened discussion about the role of microbial biostimulant inputs in vegetable crop production and methods to evaluate success (from the need for comparison/control plots to identifying observable outcomes). Other field days were annual requests from Wayne County Extension IPM scouts to learn about in-progress research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Current activities will continue. Data collection will continue on a select subset of experiments alongside data analysis focused on identifying project-wide impacts and stakeholder-facing messages. Extension/outreach will also continue at full pace (as adjusted for pandemic-based restrictions) with the inclusion of research-based, project-wide messages.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Dozens, if not hundreds, of microbe-containing crop biostimulants (MCCBs) are available to growers; however, few, if any, research-based guidelines for selecting, using, or evaluating their effectiveness are available, especially to organic vegetable growers. This gap between information needed and information available leads to loss, waste, inefficiency, and confusion as crops, farms, balance sheets, farmer-farmer advisor relationships are all sub-optimal. This gap can be closed only by combining on-station and on-farm research, and continual, focused engagement of growers, industry, and academia, including the extension community. We used this approach to develop unique, stakeholder-facing datasets, collaborations, and resources holding crucial information regarding the performance of various MCCBs when applied to five high value crops in various settings at different times or rates. The process of collecting and actively sharing this information, and information provided by others, resulted in our catalyzing and contributing to new conversations that will lead to growers receiving more adequate returns on their investments in these complex, enigmatic products. Our approach has included on-station and on-farm experiments (expts) completed at the OSU-OARDC in Wooster, OH and Univ. of Tennessee-Knoxville. To date (Spring-2017 through Fall-2019), a total of thirty-nine runs of eleven individual on-station expts have been completed in OH with each exptl run containing 32-72 inoculated plots (2550 inoculated plots total 2017-2019). OH expts included butternut squash and tomato plots in open fields (OF) and carrot, lettuce, and spinach plots in high tunnels (HTs) at transitional-organic (T) and certified-organic (O) sites. Plots were established in spring (SP), summer (SU), and fall (FA), all managed using O practices. Individual expts were comprised of one crop seeded or transplanted in the SP, SU, or FA, at a T or O site in an OF or HT, and applying up to six products at either one of three crop development stages (timing) or percents of recommended rate (rate). 2017 SP, HT, timing: T carrot, spinach; O lettuce SU, OF, rate and timing; T and O: butternut squash, tomato FA, HT, timing: T lettuce, spinach 2018 SP, HT, timing: T carrot, spinach; O lettuce SU, OF, rate and timing; T and O: butternut squash, tomato FA, HT, timing: T; carrot, lettuce, spinach 2019 SP, HT, timing: T carrot, spinach; O lettuce; SU, OF, rate and timing; T and O: butternut squash, tomato Fa, HT, timing: T carrot List of treatments in expts by expt type; all expts included controls. Timing Direct seeded carrot, spinach: 1. After seeding, before emergence 2. One week after 50% emergence 3. Three weeks after 50% emergence Transplanted lettuce, butternut squash, tomato: 4. At transplant 5. Two weeks after transplant (WAT) 6. 4 WAT Rate (relative to recommended rate) Butternut squash and tomato only: 1. 50% 2. 100% 3. 150% Products Used BioGenesis, EcoFungi, Environoc 401, MycoApply All Purpose, MycoApply EndoMaxx, and MycoGenesis were selected for use in the expts. All products included in all expts, except: a) carrots lacked Environoc 401, b) spinach lacked MycoApply EndoMaxx and EcoFungi, and c) lettuce lacked MycoApply All Purpose (except SP 2017) and EcoFungi (SP 2018 and 2019). Omissions were based on expected product-crop compatibility, product availability, or space limitations. MycoApply Soluble Maxx was used in FA 2019 carrot expt due to discontinuation of MycoApply All Purpose by manufacturer. Crop total and marketable yield and quality were recorded in all expts in a manner consistent with the scientific literature and grower practice and interest specific to each crop. On-farm evaluations were conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by new and repeat grower-cooperators. Transitional and certified-organic growers were invited to participate if they grew: 1. one of the five project crops (butternut squash, carrot, lettuce, spinach, tomato), 2. in field or high tunnel settings, 3. in the Northcentral and Great Lakes States. Growers recruited through direct outreach and collaboration with the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association via 300 postcards sent to potentially qualified growers in 2018 and articles in 2017-2018 newsletters. A webpage (https://u.osu.edu/vegprolab/microbe-containing-products/microbial-biostimulantsbiofertilizers-research-and-evaluation/), announcements on the Organic Farming Research Network website, and in-person and web-based information sessions were also used in recruitment. Project staff worked with growers to decide crop, product, treatments, experimental design, and set expectations for return of observations and yield data. Product (if one of the six pre-selected for study; was donated by manufacturers), storage information, and application rates were sent to growers prior to planting. Project team continually assessed strategies to best assist growers to successfully set-up and complete evaluations using input from product manufacturers and feedback from growers. Project staff and growers stayed in contact during seasons by phone, email, and/or mail. Planting size and management (irrigation, mulch, amendments, pest/disease control), crop observations (written and/or photos comparing treated to untreated), perceived product/application ease of use, and data (predominantly yield) were collected by growers and provided to project team. Growers completing an evaluation received a $250 stipend. Data collection and analysis continue. So far, based on standard analytical approaches, results from on-station expts in OH suggest that product application rarely led to significant changes in yield or quality on a field or HT basis (regardless of crop, season, timing, or rate); i.e., the average yield and quality of individual entire treated (inoculated) and untreated (control) plantings were similar. However, we also found large variation in responses to inoculation among plots within each exptl run. Yield was greater following inoculation in fifty-four percent of all HT and fifty percent of all OF plots, with percentages differing by exptl run (crop, season, rate of timing expt). This result has major implications for farmers, product suppliers, and farmer advisors. For example, to farmers, it signals that they may observe yield increases after product use but to levels providing unclear returns on investment. To product suppliers and farmer advisors, it signals that product formulation, application conditions, and evaluation protocols must be reconsidered and, probably, not approached like those of other major inputs (e.g., irrigation, fertilizer, crop protectants). Our results signal to all that much remains to be discovered (research) and taught/learned (extension/outreach) regarding selecting, using, and evaluating MCCBs more effectively. Articles, presentations, recordings, facilitated discussions, field days, webpages, and other resources and learning opportunities we developed and coordinated have helped ignite and facilitate this reconsideration across farming product supplier, and farmer-advisor communities. We identified and described key aspects of the thought process leading growers to use MCCBs, then focused on delivering key baseline information on MCCBs and their selection, use, performance, and evaluation. Anecdotally, the extension-outreach program has helped: a) foster greater awareness of major issues around these aspects of MCCBs and b) set a way forward for farmers, product suppliers, researchers, and farmer advisors interested in improving the reliability of these very popular but misunderstood and under-performing inputs.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2016. Considering crop biostimulants, biofertilizers? Holmes County Hub Shopper.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Call-in conversations offered on microbe-containing biostimulants and biofertilizers. https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/br_news.php/call-in-conversations-offered-on.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. New resources available on microbe-containing bisotimulants and biofertilizers (MCBSFs). http://blog.nacaa.com/2017/01/new-resources-available-on-microbe.html.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Biostimulants and biofertilizers: Their role in organic production. Invited presentation given at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, GA (1/6/17).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Get your money's worth from crop biostimulants/biofertilizers that contain microbes. https://www.ccof.org/blog/get-your-money%E2%80%99s-worth-crop-biostimulantsbiofertilizers-contain-microbes.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Larger, better, and more stress-tolerated crops with microbial biostimulants?https://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2017/05/11/larger-better-and-more-stress-tolerant-crops-with-microbial-biostimulants/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Microbials, grafting, strip tillage, and soil balancing. Workshop and field day held at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University in Wooster, Ohio.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Wang, Z., J. Laudick, and M. Kleinhenz. 2017. Microbial biostimulants in grower toolboxes. Tilth Producers Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 2 Summer 2017. https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/9/24091/files/2016/12/Microbial-Biostimulants-in-Grower-Toolboxes-1dfwztj.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2017/07/22/can-microbial-inoculants-biostimulants-enhance-vegetable-yield-andor-quality/.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Wang, Z. and M. Kleinhenz. 2017. Grafting and microbial crop biostimulants on early growth of greenhouse tomato. HortSci 52(9):S289.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Getting the most from microbe-containing crop biostimulants. Autumn 2017 OEFFA Newsletter. https://indd.adobe.com/view/644516f4-7eff-4fa4-9c27-ee7fc522034e
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Microbial-based biostimulants: Grower, supplier, and researcher perspectives on their use in vegetable production. Invited presentation given at the BioControls USA East 2017 in Orlando, Florida.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. U.S growers cautiously optimistic about biostimulants. Published in Agribusiness Global at http://www.agribusinessglobal.com/markets/africa-middle-east/u-s-growers-cautiously-optimistic-about-biostimulants/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Towards the best practical use of microbial-based biostimulants in vegetable production. Presented by Matt Kleinhenz at the 3rd World Congress on Biostimulants in Agriculture in Miami, Florida.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. What is in your microbial-based crop fertilizer? Published in the Winter 2017 OEFFA Newsletter. https://indd.adobe.com/view/05e30fe4-dbd1-4309-9a73-2b82f073a1b4
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Microbial biostimulants: Their place in the toolbox. Invited presentation given at the 2017 Great Lakes Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Big questions about microscopic crop (and grower?) partners. Invited presentation given at the Acres U.S.A. 2017 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Crop microbial biostimulants: What, why, and how? Invited presentation given at the 37th Annual Long Island Agricultural Forum in Riverhead, New York
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials overview and next steps. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Indiana Horticultural Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants: What we know, what is important to learn. Workshop held at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbials summary and discussion. Presented at the 2018 OEFFA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbial biostimulants overview. Invited presentation given at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbes in your toolbox? Let's talk. Invited presentation given at the 2018 SARE Farmers Forum in Danville, Indiana.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulants: What are they and how can I make them work for me? Invited presentation given at 2018 BioControls West in Carlsbad, California.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Big claims, big questions. Published in the Spring 2018 OEFFA Newsletter. http://u.osu.edu/dist/9/24091/files/2016/12/oeffa-spr18-nwsltr-mcrbls-1-2-q81mq1.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Researchers Share Five Fast Facts to Help Growers Understand Biofertilizers. Published by MOSES Organic Broadcaster, July/August 2018 issue https://mosesorganic.org/biofertilizers/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2017. Microbial-based biostimulants: Big potential in small packages. Published by Meister Media at http://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/microbial-based-biostimulants-should-you-use-them-in-your-production/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Progress through private-public sector partnerships: issues and approaches. Invited presentation given at the New Ag International Biostimulant Summit in Chicago, IL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Klenhenz, M.D. 2018. Key steps, including on-farm evaluation, in getting the most from biostimulants. Workshop/field-day and crop walk on on Wayne County, Ohio farm.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Improving labels: an important step in advancing the use of crop biostimulants. Invited panelist and panel moderator for Crops and Chemicals Biostimulant/Biofertilizer Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Assessing the Influence of Microbe-containing Crop Biostimulants on Vegetable Crops and Farms through On-station and On-farm Study. Oral presentation during the Annual Meetings of the American Society for Horticultural Science (Washington, D.C.) to an audience of extension-research colleagues from the U.S. and other countries. Recordings of the presentation are available at https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2018/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/29281.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. OSUE Wayne County IPM scout training. Presentation and field walk at OARDC, Wooster, OH.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Fruit Yield and Quality in a Strip Till Tomato Systems as Influenced by Grafted Plants and Crop Biostimulants. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at https://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2018/09/01/fruit-yield-and-quality-in-a-strip-till-tomato-system-as-influenced-by-grafted-plants-and-crop-biostimulants/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in the farming toolbox. Invited presentation given at the 2018 Acres USA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2018. Biostimulant science and application. Invited, 45-minute presentation to and fielding questions during follow-up discussion with the Board of Directors of the Soil Health Institute (Raleigh, North Carolina).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Development and utilization of microbe-containing biostimulants for vegetables. Invited presentation given at the 2019 National Association for Independent Crop Consultants Meeting in Savannah, GA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Microbe-containing crop biostimulants in organic vegetable production: lessons and messages from farmers, researchers, and manufacturers. Poster presented at the 2019 Organic Agriculture Research Forum in Portland, OR.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Research newly completed and started. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/05/25/research-newly-completed-and-started/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Muck Crops Research-Extension Breakfast Meeting. Monthly meeting to discuss current ag topics and research including on microbial biostimulants.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Muck Crops Research-Extension Breakfast Meeting (June 2019). Monthly meeting to discuss current ag topics and research including on microbial biostimulants.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Making up lost ground (actually, for lost plants or leaves). Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/07/06/making-up-lost-ground-actually-for-lost-plants-or-leaves/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. Harvests of data hopefully increase harvests of money. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/08/24/harvests-of-data-hopefully-increase-harvests-of-money/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. From new and unusual to common (or maybe not): the dynamic world of specialty varieties. Published in the VegNet Newsletter at http://u.osu.edu/vegnetnews/2019/09/28/from-new-and-unusual-to-common-or-maybe-not-the-dynamic-world-of-specialty-varieties/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kleinhenz, M.D. 2019. What are biostimulants? OSU/VPSL Microbe-containing bioproducts database referenced as resource in October 2019 UMASS Extension Vegetable Notes Newsletter available at https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/newsletters/october_17_2019_vegetable_notes.pdf
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