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

This project sought to evaluate the impact of post-plant applications of compost and forage radish cover crop on soil compaction in established blueberry and raspberry plantings. The compost and forage radish treatments were made in fall 2013. In 2014, the three cooperator growers and the PI collected harvest data from each treatment and rep immediately prior to each field being opened to pick-your-own. Penetrometer readings were taken in 5 locations at each treatment and rep at 0”-6” depth, and at depths greater than 6” to hardpan or >300 psi, whichever came first, prior to treatments and again in June 2014. Growth measurements were taken prior to treatments and again in September 2014. Data is being analyzed for differences between treatments.

Objectives/Performance Targets

• Soil penetrometer readings were taken at each treatment and rep; 0-6” depth and >6” to hardpan or >300psi, whichever came first. Data was collected prior to the treatment and one year later
• 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 prior to the treatment and one year later.
• Yield data was collected at each location immediately before the blocks were opened for pick-your-own.
• Fall 2013, 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.
• Prior to applications, 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.
• Data is being analyzed for differences between the treatments.
• A field day at a cooperator farm was not held. There were no visual differences between treatments at harvest or with growth at the end of the season at any of the three farms.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Proposed:In the summer of 2014, the cooperating growers and the PI will measure fruit production in each treatment area.
Activity: Data was collected from the blueberry blocks on July 7 and July 18, and from the raspberry block on July 14. Harvest date was the day immediately prior to the blocks opening for pick-your-own. Production amounts were estimated for un-ripe fruit remaining in each treatment.

Proposed: In late summer/early fall of 2014, the cooperating growers and the PI will record plant growth within each treatment area including the number of new canes and length of new growth (per bush for blueberries, per 10 feet of row for brambles). Penetrometer readings in five locations within each treatment area at 0 inches- 6 inches depth and 6 inches-18 inches depth were recorded.
Activity: Data was collected in September 2014. This data will be compared to the pre-treatment data. The PI will analyze the data using statistical analysis. Analysis will be completed winter 2015.

Proposed: In the late summer of 2014, the cooperating growers and the PI will hold a field day at one of the cooperating farms to explain the project and the results-to-date.
Activity: There were no visual differences in plant growth or crop load between treatments at each of the cooperating farms. It was decided a field day would not be worthwhile.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The forage radish germinated and grew well in the brambles and conventional blueberry block. Due to the sod in the organic blueberry planting, the forage radish germination was sparse and did not grow well. Raw data did not appear to indicate any differences between treatments. Analyzed data will provide a better picture.

Collaborators: