Enhancing Phytonutrient Content, Yield and Quality of Vegetables with Compost Tea in the Tropics

Enhancing Phytonutrient Content, Yield and Quality of Vegetables with Compost Tea in the Tropics

Summary

Accomplished tasks in 2010 were focused on completing greenhouse experimentation, on-farm trials and workshop planning in preparation for the project completion in June 2011.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1) Quantify the independent and interactive effects of compost quality and vegetable type under synthetic and organic fertilization on yield and phyto-nutrient content of model root, fruit and leaf vegetables.

2) Determine, at the whole-farm level, the effect of compost tea applications on yield, phyto-nutrient content and profitability on commercial vegetable operations on three islands in Hawai’i.

3) Build and enhance the capacity of at least 300 growers to effectively employ compost tea to increase vegetable yield and phyto-nutrient content on their farms.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Accomplishments in 2010 include:

– Completion of three greenhouse experiments to understand the mechanisms involved in compost tea action on plant growth. (attachments 1 & 2).

– Completion of on-farm trial to evaluate impact of tea made from farmer-produced compost (attachment 3).

– Two scientific presentations at the American Society for Horticultural Science annual meeting(attachment 1 & 2).

– Three extension presentations to a total of 100 growers and agricultural professionals(e.g. attach 3).

-Submission of one manuscript to peer-reviewed journal.

-Progressed with planning for February and April 2011 workshops on Maui and Hawaii Islands.

-Progressed with development of compost tea handbook.

• Application of Vermicompost Extract On Pak-Choi: Effects On Yield, Quality, and Soil Biological Properties
• The Influence of Compost Origin On Chemical and Biological Properties of Compost Extracts and Pak Choi (Brassica rapa Chinensis Group) Yield
• Promoting plant growth with compost extracts

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Impacts and Outcomes for this reporting period:

1) Improved decision-making skills regarding tea production and application of more than 100 growers and agricultural professionals currently using compost tea.

2) Increased awareness of the potential of compost tea and other biologically derived inputs to improve farm sustainability among the broader farming community.

3) Significant contribution to the small but growing body of scientific knowledge regarding compost tea, particularly as it pertains to enhancing human health value in tropical systems.

Expected Medium-range outcomes

1) Increase productivity and profitability of sustainable farming operations.

2) Greater use of compost tea and other biologically derived inputs by the general agricultural community.

3) Increase cooperation between the University, industry, growers and other stakeholders.

Expected Long-Term Measurable Impacts (modified):

1) Improved productivity and profitability (current $5 million, farm gate) by the majority of the more than 120 certified organic growers on almost 1,000 acres in Hawaii.

2) Chemical fertilier use reduced by at least 25% on 50 conventional farms.

3) Attendance of 100 growers of at workshops and field days.

4) One thousand hits/month at educational websites.

5) Featuring of locally grown produce as grown for maximum health benefit by local restaurants and retail outlets.

Collaborators: