Articles
Alternative soil amendments for cultivation of northern highbush blueberry in marginal soils
Article number
1440_64
Pages
469 – 474
Language
English
Abstract
Two studies were conducted to assess alternative soil amendments for the cultivation of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) in eastern Oregon, USA. The region is ideal for organic production, but soils are marginal for the crop and often amended with woodchips prior to planting.
Because woodchips are becoming expensive and difficult to source, growers are looking for alternatives.
Eight materials were evaluated in the first study, including grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace, commercial biochar produced from mixed conifer species, woodchips, biochar derived from a mixed conifer blend (Pinophyta), apple (Malus domestica), and cherry (Prunus avium) feedstocks.
These materials were tested alone or co-composted with grape pomace.
Each was mixed at 20% by volume with native soil, added to 4.5-L pots, and planted with ‘Duke’. Amendments co-composted with grape pomace surpassed their non-co-composted counterparts and enhanced soil fertility, leaf nutrient concentrations, and plant dry weight.
The commercial biochar produced greater plant growth than the industry standard.
The findings were used to inform the second study, which was a 2-year field trial that examined the effects of four organic amendments, including biochar, grape pomace compost, biochar co-composted with grape pomace, and a woodchip control.
Each amendment was incorporated or applied in narrow band prior to establishing a new organic planting of ‘Draper’. Incorporating compost increased nutrient availability and improved soil chemical properties relative to applying it in a band.
However, these benefits were not reflected in yield, likely due to excessive K in the compost, which is known to cause nutrient imbalances within the plants.
In contrast, band-applied biochar with grape pomace compost resulted in a 48% higher yield than the control, suggesting that its use as an amendment presents a promising alternative to the current industry standard of using woodchips.
Because woodchips are becoming expensive and difficult to source, growers are looking for alternatives.
Eight materials were evaluated in the first study, including grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace, commercial biochar produced from mixed conifer species, woodchips, biochar derived from a mixed conifer blend (Pinophyta), apple (Malus domestica), and cherry (Prunus avium) feedstocks.
These materials were tested alone or co-composted with grape pomace.
Each was mixed at 20% by volume with native soil, added to 4.5-L pots, and planted with ‘Duke’. Amendments co-composted with grape pomace surpassed their non-co-composted counterparts and enhanced soil fertility, leaf nutrient concentrations, and plant dry weight.
The commercial biochar produced greater plant growth than the industry standard.
The findings were used to inform the second study, which was a 2-year field trial that examined the effects of four organic amendments, including biochar, grape pomace compost, biochar co-composted with grape pomace, and a woodchip control.
Each amendment was incorporated or applied in narrow band prior to establishing a new organic planting of ‘Draper’. Incorporating compost increased nutrient availability and improved soil chemical properties relative to applying it in a band.
However, these benefits were not reflected in yield, likely due to excessive K in the compost, which is known to cause nutrient imbalances within the plants.
In contrast, band-applied biochar with grape pomace compost resulted in a 48% higher yield than the control, suggesting that its use as an amendment presents a promising alternative to the current industry standard of using woodchips.
Publication
Authors
A. Retano, D.R. Bryla, S.B. Lukas, S. Singh, S.T. Orr
Keywords
biochar, compost, grape pomace, mulch, Vaccinium corymbosum
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