Do Soil and Foliar Applied Minerals Improve Soil Health, Nutrient Density, and Flavor in organic Blueberries

Do Soil and Foliar Applied Minerals Improve Soil Health, Nutrient Density, and Flavor in organic Blueberries

Summary

Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research Project # FW  FW15-024

Year 1 – 2015 Interim Report

Do Soil and Foliar Applied Minerals Improve Soil Health, Nutrient Density, and Flavor in Organic Blueberries?

Two late varieties of organic high bush blueberries (Aurora and Elliot) were evaluated in six ~300’ long rows and 24 test plots to determine if soil health and specific organic inputs measurably influenced nutrient density and flavor.  Three management regimens (treatments) were examined:  1) Control (organic blueberry management practices recommended by Oregon State University); 2) Control + Azomite; and 3) Control + Azomite + Foliar.  All plots received 170 lb Tiger 90% S per acre (acidification), received sawdust/chip mulch, and were seeded with a white clover mix (5 lbs/acre) in the alleys.  Plots receiving the Foliar treatment each received two foliar sprays:  Foliar 1 consisted of 4 gallons per 300’ row of water drench containing 1% Sea Crop, 4 tsp organic surfactant.  Foliar 2 consisted of 4 gallons per 300’ row of water drench containing 4 tsp cane molasses, ¼ cup Pacific Gro fish hdyrosylate.  Soil samples have been collected and are being analyzed.  

Objectives/Performance Targets

Performance Targets for Year 1

Objective 1:  Perform Soil Tests

Objective 2:  Perform Haney Soil Health Analysis

Early PROJECT obstacles:

On January 2, 2016 I was notified by WSU researcher / technical advisor Dr. Lisa DeVetter that the HPLC unit that was going to be used to help measure attributes of fruit quality for the SARE grant project was not being acquired by WSU Mt. Vernon.  The original plan was to use this instrument to measure water-soluble (vitamins C) and fat-soluble (A, K, and E) vitamins, phenolics, and anthocyanins of blueberry fruit.  

Plan B: Dr. DeVetter believes we can still measure fruit quality and meet the goal of this research project by testing 24 fruit samples each year 2016 and 2017 (48 total) for: sugars, pH, titratable acidity, and minerals (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, manganese, copper, and zinc) and vitamins A and C. This test panel will still meet all normal fruit quality testing requirements for publication and still stay within the project budget. Since we will have to use another outside lab for the Vitamins and minerals this increases the analytical cost. By limiting the vitamins to two major indicator vitamins we will still stay within project budget.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Objective 1:  Perform Soil Tests

Soil Analysis: On October 23, 2015 I took 24 composite soil samples (5 soil probes per 15 foot of sample plot) to make up ~ 1.5 cup per sample, labeled, bagged, and completed chain of custody and mailed to Intl. Ag Labs for analysis. Analyzed for humus, nitrates, ammonia, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, ERGS, ORP, pH, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, boron, sulfur, formazan, CEC, sodium, and organic matter.  Return analysis results received 11-6-15 and are being analyzed and input into a larger project database by WSU researcher Doug Collins.

Objective 2:  Perform Haney Soil Health Analysis

Haney Soil Health Analysis:  On October 23, 2015 took 3 soil samples taken (one per major treatment type)  composite soil samples (5 soil probes per 15 foot of sample plot) of ~ 1.5 cup each, labeled, bagged, and completed chain of custody and mailed to Ward Laboratories for Haney Soil Health test (for soil microbiological health). Results received 11-5-15 and are being analyzed and input into lager project database by WSU researcher/project technical advisor Dr. Doug Collins.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Nothing to report yet.

Collaborators: