Investigating forage radish and compost as a means of alleviating soil compaction in established bramble and blueberry fields

Investigating forage radish and compost as a means of alleviating soil compaction in established bramble and blueberry fields

Summary

In early spring 2013, the cooperating growers and the PI designated and marked the three treatments, replicated three times. The treatments are (1) untreated check, (2) compost application within the plant row to a depth of at least one inch, and (3) the forage radish seeded at the rate of fifteen pounds per acre within the plant row. The three cooperator growers and the PI met and marked the treatments. PI made a map of the treatment areas as a backup to losing the treatment markers (each site is harvested by the public through pick-your-own). The pre-treatment data was collected in each treatment and rep. Compost samples were collected from each grower and sent to the UConn Soil Analytical Lab for analysis. Results were shared with the growers for any adjustments they needed to make to their fertilizer program. Radish and compost treatments were applied in early September. Pictures were taken after the radish had germinated.

Objectives/Performance Targets

• Pre-treatment soil penetrometer readings were taken at each treatment and rep; 0-6” depth and >6” to hardpan or >300psi, whichever came first.
• Cane length and number of new canes for each blueberry bush, cane length and number of canes per 10’ of row in brambles was recorded
• Yield data was collected at each location.
• PI and the cooperator growers seeded the radish at the rate of 15 lbs per acre. The radish was spread onto bare ground in the bramble and conventional blueberry block. It was planted through the sod by the use of a bar to poke holes, in the organic blueberry block.
• Compost samples were collected from each grower and sent to the UConn Soil Analytical Lab for analysis prior to application. Compost was spread evenly in a 2’-2.5’ wide band in the bramble row; spread evenly in a 2.5’-3’wide band in the conventional blueberry row, and in 2’ circle around the organic blueberries (grower mows around each plant).
• Pictures were taken at each site.

Accomplishments/Milestones

In early spring 2013, the cooperating growers and the PI designated and marked the three treatments, replicated three times. The treatments are (1) untreated check, (2) compost application within the plant row to a depth of at least one inch, and (3) the forage radish seeded at the rate of fifteen pounds per acre within the plant row. The PI and the growers recorded penetrometer readings in five locations within each treatment area at 0 inches- 6 inches depth and 6 inches-18 inches depth. They will record baseline plant growth within each treatment including the number of new canes (blueberry), number of canes per square foot of row (brambles), and length of new growth from 2012 (both). This growth baseline from the 2012 growing season was not recorded and was deemed unnecessary for the trial. The important baseline data is from the 2103 growing season and was recorded prior to the fall 2013 treatments.

In the summer of 2013, the cooperating growers and the PI recorded baseline berry yield (pounds) within each treatment area.

In early fall of 2013, the cooperating growers and the PI recorded plant growth within each treatment area including the number of new canes and length of new growth per bush for blueberries, and per square foot in a 10’ length for each treatment and rep for brambles. Compost was tested for nutrient levels prior to application to allow the cooperating growers to adjust fertilizer programs. Treatments were applied in early September: (1) seed forage radish at the rate of fifteen pounds per acre within the plant row to bare ground in the brambles and conventional blueberry block; planted through the sod by the use of a bar to poke holes in the organic blueberry block; (2) spread compost on the top of the soil within the plant row to a depth of at least one inch.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The forage radish has germinated and is growing well in the brambles and conventional blueberry block. It is struggling to grow through the sod in the organic blueberry block

• Radish conventional blueberry
• Radish bramble 2013
• Radish organic blueberry 2013

Collaborators: