Transferring Information from Research lab to Farm Field: Evaluation of On-Farm Soil Quality Tests Kits for Grower Use in Sustainable Strawberry Production

Transferring Information from Research lab to Farm Field: Evaluation of On-Farm Soil Quality Tests Kits for Grower Use in Sustainable Strawberry Production

Summary

The use of a soil quality test kit at two Iowa fruit and vegetable farms appears to show that grower attitudes toward the usefulness of the kit can be enhanced by having growers using the kit in their fields and seeing its effectiveness for themselves. The kits were effective at measuring changes in field soil based on changes in crop management, time of year, and climactic conditions. These results enhanced the growers’ attitude of using soil kits by showing upward and downward trends in soil quality based on soil management decisions made by the growers over the course of a year.

Objectives/Performance Targets

This project was initiated to familiarize Iowa fruit growers with a method to improve their ability to monitor soil quality trends in a relatively quick and cost-effective manner. The objectives were, 1) assist two commercial strawberry growers in the use of a soil quality test kit on their farm, collect and interpret soil quality data, and obtain their perspective on its usefulness, 2) present state and regional fruit growers with information and research results about soil quality testing, 3) conduct soil quality interest survey of Iowa small fruit growers.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Objective 1. Assist two commercial strawberry growers in the use of a soil quality test kit on their farm, collect and interpret soil quality data, and obtain their perspective on its usefulness.

Over the course of one year each grower was visited on four occasions. Each grower chose the fields where the tests were to be conducted and were instructed on the use of the soil quality test kit and interpretation of results. Each grower did not collect test data alone because they were assisted in the collection of field data. In order to show how the soil quality test kit could be used to measure changes in soil over time the test kit was used to collect data at the same field site in the fall of 2004 and again after one year. To show how the soil quality test kit could be used to compare soils from two different fields at the same time of year data were collected from two different field sites on the same day. After one year data were compiled by the graduate student and each grower was visited and interviewed to compare their initial and final impressions about the usefulness of the test kit.

A preliminary, non-statistical comparison of the research trial measurements follows. One site was in Central Iowa and the other site was in West-central Iowa. Each field had three sample sites, north, middle, and south.

Comparisons made over time. Incorporation of large amounts of organic matter in the Central Iowa farm research field in 2005 showed that the middle and north sample sites had reduced bulk density, volumetric water content, and increased water-filled pore space. The south and north sites showed increased soil respiration. At the West-central Iowa farm site, where no amendments had been made since the previous year, bulk density decreased in the east and middle sample sites, soil respiration decreased sharply overall, and infiltration rate was highly variable when Fall 2004 and 2005 measurements are compared.

Comparisons made between soil management.
At the Central Iowa farm, a field recently amended and cultivated was compared with a field that was planted to a perennial crop two years before. Bulk density was lower in the recently tilled field, but other measurements were similar or highly variable. At the West-central Iowa farm a field that had been in strawberries for four years was compared to a field that also had been in strawberries for four years, but that had recently been plowed and cultivated. Observations showed that measurements from the east and middle sample sites had slightly increased bulk density, water holding capacity, soil respiration, and infiltration rate. Samples from the west site showed the opposite trends.

Two or more years of data are required to see trends in soil quality. However, these results show that after one year the soil quality test kit measurements revealed changes taking place in the soil due to soil management. The variability of the data shows the importance of taking multiple samples and also in choosing the location of sampling sites.

After working with the soil quality test kit for one year, the grower cooperators saw the benefits of using such a test kit on their farm. The cooperators stated that in their opinion other growers might need to see a direct economic benefit from using the kit before it would be adopted. Although the kit was designed to use relatively simple and low tech methods for taking measurements, the user must progress through learning the correct practices to collect samples appropriately. Also, the growers mentioned that they did not feel they had the technical background to accurately interpret the results. These observations seem to indicate that the growers believe that the soil quality test kit is a welcome and useful tool, but that most growers would rather have the tests interpreted by someone with more expertise. If growers were to interpret the results, more training would be necessary.

Objective 2. Present state and regional fruit growers with information and research results about soil quality testing.

From the period July 2004 through January 2006, information about the project and research results were presented or published as follows:

Presentations and Displays

July 2004 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, presented informational display showcasing the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association annual field day at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station, Ames, IA (attendance approximately 90).

Jan. 2005 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, and Dean Henry, grower cooperator, gave a presentation about experiences with the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association annual meeting, Marshalltown, IA (attendance approximately 40).

Jan. 2005 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, presented informational display showcasing the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association annual meeting, Marshalltown, IA (attendance approximately 200).

Jan. 2005 – Dr. Gail Nonnecke, Professor, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, gave a presentation that included results of soil quality test kit research at the Mid-America Fruit Growers Conference, Excelsior Springs, MO (attendance approximately 35; conference attendance approximately 150).

Jan. 2005 – Dr. Paul Domoto, Iowa State Fruit Extension Specialist, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, gave a presentation that included results of related soil quality research at the Iowa Wine Growers Association annual meeting, Des Moines, IA (attendance approximately 200; conference attendance approximately 250). These presentations have been made available to the general public at the following url: http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/research/research.html

July 2005 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, presented Poster ‘Effect of Four Weed Management Systems on Soil Quality in Junebearing Strawberry Production’ at American Society for Horticultural Science Annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV (conference attendance approximately 1100).

Jan. 2005 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, gave a presentation about results and experiences with the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association annual meeting, Marshalltown, IA (attendance approximately 30; conference attendance approximately 200).

Jan. 2006 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, presented informational display showcasing the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Grower Association annual meeting, Marshalltown, IA (conference attendance approximately 200).

Jan. 2006 – Craig Dilley, graduate student, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, presented informational display showcasing the soil quality test kit at the Iowa Wine Growers Association annual meeting, Des Moines, IA (conference attendance approximately 220).

Jan. 2006 – Dr. Paul Domoto, Iowa State Fruit Extension Specialist, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, gave a presentation that included results of related soil quality research at the Iowa Wine Growers Association annual meeting, Marshalltown, IA (attendance approximately 150; conference attendance approximately 250). These presentations have been made available to the general public at the following url: http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/research/research.html

Jan. 2005 – Dr. Gail Nonnecke, Professor, Horticulture Dept., Iowa State University, gave a presentation that included results of soil quality test kit research at the Wisconsin Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Oconomowoc, WI (attendance approximately 110; conference attendance approximately 300).

Publications

Dilley, C. and G. Nonnecke. 2004. Use of Soil Quality Test kits by Growers to Monitor Soil Quality in Strawberry Agroecosystems. Annual Fruit and Vegetable Progress Report. Iowa State Univ. Extension FG 601: 54-55.

Dilley, C. and G. Nonnecke. 2005. On-Farm Research Trial on Iowa Strawberry Production with USDA/NRCS Soil Quality Test Kit. Annual Fruit and Vegetable Progress Report. Iowa State Univ. Extension FG 601: 31-32.

Dilley, C. and G. Nonnecke. 2005. Effect of Four Weed Management Systems on Soil Quality in Junebearing Strawberry Production. HortScience 40(4):1058.

Objective 3. Conduct soil quality interest survey of Iowa small fruit growers.

In order to measure initial grower interest in the soil quality concept a survey was mailed in March 2005 to all members of the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association who indicated they grow berry crops. Of the 113 deliverable surveys that were mailed 30 were returned for a 26.5% return rate. The postcard-sized survey contained 12 short questions designed to assess the current level of awareness and interest in soil quality and the soil quality test kit among Iowa berry growers. The survey also included questions about grower soil management practices.

The results of the survey revealed that although 69 % of these Iowa berry growers had heard the term Soil Quality, 66 % had not heard of the soil quality test kit and 86 % had not heard of the USDA Soil Quality Institute. Most of the growers believed that they have healthy soils, considered the health of their soil when making crop management decisions, and about one half added compost, manure, or other organic materials to their fields. Most were aware of the importance of soil microorganisms to crop yield (88 %), and also were open to the idea of monitoring the quality of their soil with a soil quality test kit.

Overall, the survey showed that these Iowa berry growers were somewhat aware of the impact that their production practices were having on quality of their soil, but were not aware that they could monitor the quality of their soil with a test kit. These growers also showed interest in learning how the soil quality test kit could be used to help improve their crop yields.

A second, final survey will be mailed to growers in mid-March 2006 to assess changes in grower awareness of the soil quality concept as well as their attitudes about conducting the tests themselves (e.g., versus having extension personnel or consultants do the tests) and how much money they would be willing to spend on purchasing a soil quality test kit. A more complete analysis of the survey results will be provided after we receive the results of our final survey and will be included in the final project report to SARE.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

At this point in the project, the cooperating growers have indicated that their knowledge and awareness of soil quality has increased and that by learning how to conduct soil quality tests, even if they do not conduct all the tests themselves, they are more likely to make informed decisions about soil management practices. Consequently, improved soil quality can result in increased farm profitability if a reduction of inputs and increased crop yield result from their decisions. Also, compared to having the same soil tests done at a soil testing lab, the cost of using the on-farm soil quality test kit will also result in financial savings.

The impact of both on-farm research and public talks and informational displays on Iowa berry grower awareness and attitudes toward soil quality and the use of the soil quality test kit to monitor soil on their farms will be revealed more clearly when we receive the results of the final survey that will be mailed to growers in mid-March 2006. The survey results, along with in-depth interviews with the cooperating growers, will help to recognize trends in soil quality awareness among berry growers in Iowa and the north central region. It is likely that some growers, who became interested in soil quality through exposure to our project, or other sources, will test some of the ideas for themselves. If the soil quality techniques are profitable not only will the grower benefit, but society will benefit through improved soil, water, and air quality.

Collaborators: