Articles
Long-term application of animal and forest waste on a vineyard and its effect on yield and soil health
Article number
1355_51
Pages
399 – 406
Language
English
Abstract
Increased concern for environmental quality has stimulated farmers to accept organic farming as an alternative to conventional agriculture.
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Summit) was grown on Memphis Silt Loam soil (Typic Hapludalf, silty, mixed, thermic) since 1992 with NPK fertilizers.
Three treatments of organic manures (cow-C; poultry-P; cow+poultry-CP) with gypsum and pine mulch were applied in a CRD in 2000 after a transition period of five years from 1996. Control received inorganic fertilizers and traditional cultural practices.
Percent canopy cover and yield were higher in organic manure-treated plants.
The diameter, length, and degree Brix of the fruit had no significant difference.
Soil compaction was always higher in control with lower soil moisture content and the compaction was lower in organic treatment with higher levels of organic matter.
Concentrations of nitrate-N and P were higher in the surface soil with organic manures, but there was no trend in N or P enrichment in lower layers of the soil.
A comprehensive assessment of soil health by Cornell Soil Health Lab showed the following: physical aggregate stability 19.0 (25), biological organic matter 4.0 (85), biological ACE soil protein index 6.8 (43), biological soil respiration 0.8 (75), biological active carbon 747 (90) and chemical soil pH 7.1 (100) with an overall quality score of 72 (excellent). The results suggest that the controlled application of animal and forest wastes in basins of fruit crops can be an agronomically and environmentally sound practice to increase yield, and keep the soil and humans healthy.
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Summit) was grown on Memphis Silt Loam soil (Typic Hapludalf, silty, mixed, thermic) since 1992 with NPK fertilizers.
Three treatments of organic manures (cow-C; poultry-P; cow+poultry-CP) with gypsum and pine mulch were applied in a CRD in 2000 after a transition period of five years from 1996. Control received inorganic fertilizers and traditional cultural practices.
Percent canopy cover and yield were higher in organic manure-treated plants.
The diameter, length, and degree Brix of the fruit had no significant difference.
Soil compaction was always higher in control with lower soil moisture content and the compaction was lower in organic treatment with higher levels of organic matter.
Concentrations of nitrate-N and P were higher in the surface soil with organic manures, but there was no trend in N or P enrichment in lower layers of the soil.
A comprehensive assessment of soil health by Cornell Soil Health Lab showed the following: physical aggregate stability 19.0 (25), biological organic matter 4.0 (85), biological ACE soil protein index 6.8 (43), biological soil respiration 0.8 (75), biological active carbon 747 (90) and chemical soil pH 7.1 (100) with an overall quality score of 72 (excellent). The results suggest that the controlled application of animal and forest wastes in basins of fruit crops can be an agronomically and environmentally sound practice to increase yield, and keep the soil and humans healthy.
Authors
G.K. Panicker, L. Kibet, W. Mims, F.B. Matta, J.L. Silva
Keywords
Vitis rotundifolia, animal waste, forest waste, water quality, fruit quality, muscadine, gypsum, degree Brix, nitrate-N, soil protein, soil respiration, soil health
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