2000 Annual Report for FS00-112
Practical Evaluation of Vermicompost on Horticultural Crops
Summary
The Southern region is comprised of many soils low of fertility and often nearly devoid of active biological life. Conventional farming practices have resulted in the mining of soil nutrients with crop harvest and the inhibiting of soil biological processes as well as the eradication of beneficial soil biological life. We have witnessed and it has been reported, repeatedly and increasingly, that a diverse, vibrant soil life community contributes to better plant health, greater yield, and enhanced ability of crops to weather adverse climatic conditions, such as drought.
Efforts to rectify inhospitable plant growth and plant health conditions are underway across the South. In hot, humid climates with sandy soils, however, soil health building strategies must be very aggressive to counteract the rapid oxidation of organic matter and the consequent reestablishment of less than optimal physical and chemical conditions for soil biota.
The use of composts can help this situation when utilized in a good soil management system of crop rotations and cover cropping. However, good compost is not often locally available and the shipping costs can be prohibitive. This producer has been using worm castings and worm castings tea, which she produces, on her vegetable crop fields, fruit orchard and vineyard with very good results.
The objective for this project is to compare the use of two different purchased composts and the worm castings produced on the farm, in terms of soil chemical and biological life and crop yields, in both annual vegetable production and muscadine grape production. The project is comprised of two study components: 1) a 3-year replicated study investigating the use of three different composts in the production of vegetable crops; and 2) a 3-year demonstration study investigating the use of 3 different composts in the production of muscadine grapes. The replicated vegetable production study will include an economic comparison of the use of the three different amendments. The project will also include an outreach component for sharing the results of this work.