Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audience Tree fruit growers, industry personnel and extension agents as well as the regional and national research community. Changes/Problems: Changes/Problems Our major challenge was the loss of our peach crop in 2012 to a killing frost. So we extended the project one more year so as to have two years of fruit data (2013 and 2014). In 2013 we conducted consumer sensory evaluations of the peaches on both varieties of peaches included in the trial (Starfire and Coralstar). Several harvest dates were pooled to account for potential differences due to ripeness. After looking at the findings from 2013 it became clear that consumers were focusing on differences in ripeness between peaches harvested at different dates and we worried that this might have distracted them from noticing more subtle differences between treatments. As a result we decided to concentrate on Coralstar only in 2014 and instead conduct multiple sensory tests on individual harvest dates. As both the Starfire and Coralstar varieties are very closely related (peak harvest date being the principle difference), we don't anticipate this to cause problems with publishing the results. We were disappointed that only two conventional growers expanded and or started the organic transition process as a result of participation in this project. Although several more growers have introduced legume cover crops into their conventional orchards as a result of findings generated. Our assessment has been that growers very much respond to short-term economic realities on the farm and while interest in organic tree fruit was intense during the recession, as markets rebounded (aided by poor harvests due to climatic events in competing states) interest in certified organic production by the large-scale growers has waned. We expect that this is a short-term effect but it illustrates the necessity for building long-term extension efforts in organic agriculture in order to transition more acreage. As outreach efforts on the project proceeded we discovered a new audience that had been historically underserved by extension services in Utah, however, the urban and small farms community in and around the Salt Lake City area. We therefore substantially refocused and expanded our efforts to reach this community and have been very happy with the response we have received as a result. The Annual Diversified Agriculture Conference historically held in Utah has been retooled to focus more heavily on urban and small farmers (now the Urban and Small Farms Conference). And the unprecedented interest generated for the organic workshops held in conjunction with this conference has resulted in Utah extension deciding to make organic workshops a regular part of this conference in the future. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Opportunities OBJECTIVE A PhD Student Mae Culumber and MS students Marc Rowley and Esther Thomsen were trained in soil moisture monitoring, data collection and processing, laboratory analysis and given opportunities in public speaking. The project also supported Mae and Marc as they wrote their dissertation and thesis chapters. In addition one technician (Kareem Adeleke), four hourly workers (Alicia Campbell, Leanna Reynolds, Mark Womack, Bill Burns, Erin Patrizzo) and six undergraduate students (Andrew Noorlander, Jeremy Crapo, Ashley Salisbury, Moire Lindstrom, Gaia Nafsziger, Kirsten Lindstrom,) were trained in orchard maintenance, soil moisture monitoring, field sampling and laboratory analysis. Findings from this project were presented to students attending PSC 2800 Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture over four semesters. Faculty and students gave three research presentations and five posters on the findings at the Second International Organic Fruit Symposium, the Soil Science Society of America, the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, and the Organic Farming Systems Research Conference. Three presentations were also given by students and faculty at the Plants Soils and Climate department seminar. Three growers (Wayne Hanks, Randy Ramsley, and Mark Rowley) have worked alongside USU researchers to design and carry out on-farm research projects on this project and a further a further five growers gained knowledge of the research process through participating on our grower advisory panel (Steve Ela, Ray Rowley, Curtis Rowley, Alan Riley and Kenyon Farley). OBJECTIVE B A PhD student (Andrew Tebeau) and fourteen undergraduate students (Trevor Ballard, Jessica Smith, Danielle Phillips, Lacey Johnson, William Dew, Tyler Shumway, Forest Young, Jessica Shaw, Cassandra Collard, Harlie Hutchison, Megan OLaughlan, Trevor Peterson, Taylor Swain and Elizabeth Winters) were trained in arthropod and weed biomass data collection and identification, data collection and analysis, and laboratory analysis and provided opportunities in public speaking. The project also supported Andrew as he wrote his dissertation. Faculty and students gave five research presentations on the findings at the Entomological Society of America, Entomological Society Pacific Branch meetings and the Utah State University Graduate Student Symposium. OBJECTIVE C Three PhD students, Mae Culumber, Andrew Tebeau and Wang Chanjun were trained in soil moisture monitoring, data collection and processing, laboratory analysis and arthropod, weed and cover crop identification under this objective and provided opportunities for the students in public speaking. Twelve undergraduate students (Andrew Noorlander, Jeremy Crapo, Ashley Salisbury, Moire Lindstrom, Gaia Nafsziger, Kirsten Lindstrom, Trevor Ballard, Jessica Smith, Danielle Phillips, Lacey Johnson, William Dew, Tyler Shumway, Forest Young and Jessica Shaw) were also trained in plant biomass collection and identification. A poster was presented at the Weed Science Society conference in 2011. OBJECTIVE D. The project provided training for two graduate (MS) students (Varun Koneru, Shruti Sawant, Xu Tao and Abdulla Khan) and several undergraduate students in the quantification of fruit quality, volatile compounds, and consumer sensory testing. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination OBJECTIVE E In addition to the research paper and conferences presentations described under outputs and opportunities the findings of this project were also disseminated through a number of field days, workshops, and grower meetings, described below. Two small farms organic workshops was held in Moab and Hurricane, Utah in April 2014. Topics included soil fertility management in organic orchards, general principles of organic arthropod management, approaches for pest management in orchards, and results from our findings on consumer willingness to pay for certified organic peaches in Utah farmers markets. The production workshops were held in conjunction with workshops designed to better link growers with local restaurants and market outlets. Approximately 25 participants attended each workshop. Presentations on organic orchard soil fertility, arthropod pest and weed management in organic orchards, organic certification, and consumer willingness to pay for certified organic peaches in Utah farmers markets were also given at the Utah Small and Urban Farms Conference in Salt Lake City in March of 2013 and 2014. The workshops also included invited presentations from Utah, Colorado and Washington State growers and researchers. A full day track devoted to organic agriculture was included as a direct result of this project which attracted 100 and 60 participants in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The talks were recorded and made publicly available through USU Extension. The feedback was excellent and as a result USU Extension has decided to include an organic agriculture track in the small farms conference on an annual basis. Eleven presentations on various aspects of organic stone-fruit management have been given at the Utah Horticultural Association winter meeting between 2009 and 2014 including four from Washington, Oregon, and Colorado state growers and researchers. Typically around 80 growers, extension agents and industry representatives present at these meetings on an annual basis. A presentation on organic and integrated pest management was given to the Northern Utah Fruit Grower meeting in 2012 and 2013 to 95 participants. Three presentations on cover crops, organic orchard floor and pest management were given at the Colorado Orchard Grower Association winter meeting in Grand Junction in 2012 and 2013 to a total of 230 participants. An organic fruit and vegetable workshop was held in Kaysville in June of 2013 with 20 participants and a field day that featured the Kaysville organic stone-fruit research was held in 2014, 2012 and 2010. In addition, three Master Gardener courses in organic and integrated pest management in fruits and vegetables were held in Salt Lake City, West Jordon, Kaysville and Ogden, Utah in 2014 to a total of 115 participants. And a presentation on IPM for small and diversified farms given to 15 participants at the 8th Annual Diversified Agriculture Conference in Richfield Utah in 2011. A presentation on sustainable and organic tree fruit production was given to the USU Extension Fruit Pest In-service Workshop in 2010. This project was also introduced to a wider audience at the Wallace Stegner Sustainability Symposium held in Salt Lake City in 2010. A stakeholder round table meeting was held in June 2014 to discuss findings to date and gather input on future directions of the project. The roundtable included growers, researchers and distributors from Utah, Colorado and Washington States. Two factsheets, one on organic orchard floor management http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/Horticulture_Fruit_2012-01pr.pdf and one on earwig lifecycles and management http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/earwig-orn.pdf have been published so far and several more (six) are currently being completed on organic orchard fertility management, soil health in orchards, cover crops and water use in orchards, tree growth, productivity and fruit quality in organic orchard systems, organic orchard weed management, and organic orchard arthropod management. A webpage was developed that describes the goals of the project and will be updated with final results once the findings have been published. https://extension.usu.edu/productionhort/htm/organic/organic-stone-fruit-production Organic management options for pests and diseases are now being included in all updated pest and disease management factsheets and an organic gardening guide was published by USU extension as a result of the profile or organic agriculture being raised among extension specialists as a result of this project, Especially in Utah and Davis counties. This guide contains a chapter specifically on organic integrated pest management. Two extension newsletter articles have also been on findings coming out of this project. http://utahpests.usu.edu/files/uploads/UtahPests-Newsletter-winter13.pdf http://utahpests.usu.edu/files/uploads/UtahPests-Newsletter-summer11.pdf What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Plan of Work While the funding for this project has ended, we will continue to work on tying up loose ends (completing fruit chemistry and economic analysis) and publishing the findings generated by this project. The goal is to publish a minimum of eleven peer reviewed research papers resulting from dissertation and thesis chapters generated on this project. In addition we are in the process writing two overview research papers, one that presents an overview of the establishment phase and a second that summarizes the findings as a whole. Six factsheets are also in the process of being completed. In addition we have been in contact with e-organic about putting on a series of presentations on organic stone-fruit management in the Intermountain west.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments OBJECTIVE A. A paper in Acta Hort describes orchard establishment. Three dissertation chapters (C.M. Culumber) describe water use, tree growth, root distribution and changes in soil physical, chemical and biological parameters in response to orchard floor management. Few differences in water use were found between grass or trefoil alleyways but trefoil may require more water in hot dry years. Water use under living-mulch and straw did not differ from tillage or weed fabric. Tree growth in industry standards and legume treatments matched the conventional orchard. Tree growth and tree roots were reduced over time with tillage. Trefoil biomass blown into orchard tree-rows contributed 0.21 kg nitrogen (N) tree-1 year-1. Higher density of tree roots in trefoil alleyways, greater total N and lower N15 enrichment in tree leaves suggests enhanced nutrient acquisition from trefoil alleyways. Soil organic C, total N, microbial biomass and activity, and monthly soil inorganic N levels were higher in tree-row soils with a trefoil alleyway. There was also increased microbial growth efficiency in soils with trefoil alleyways. This suggests soil organic matter accumulation and enhanced reserves and availability of soil nutrients in trefoil treatments. Tillage resulted in lower total C and N content than trefoil treatments. Tillage had the lowest levels of microbial biomass and activity, and lowest microbial growth efficiency compared to all other organic treatments. Significantly higher bulk density was observed in tilled compared to non-tilled living-mulch treatments at 10-15 cm depth. At Capitol Reef National Park, inter-seeding alfalfa into established grass successfully introduced alfalfa to the understory and protected the alfalfa from grazing marmots. OBJECTIVE B Three dissertation chapters (A. Tebeau) detail arthropod species composition and dynamics, earwig population dynamics and weed and cover crop biomass in response to treatment. Total arthropod abundance was lower in trefoil than grass alleyways. In treerows, arthropods were most abundant in living mulch, intermediate in straw, and least in landscape fabric and tillage plots. Beneficial insects in the grass included pollenating bees, parasitic chalcidoid wasps, and predatory syrphid flies. Pests included mites, grasshoppers, and stink bugs. Legume pests were dominated by Lygus bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, and thrips. Beneficial arthropods included predators such as damsel bugs and lacewings, as well as parasitoids such as ichneumonids and braconids. Earwigs damaged a considerable amount of fruit in 2013 (>25%). Legumes are attractive to cat-facing insects, a concern to growers. However, cat-facing damage was low and there was no correlation between cat-facing insect presence and fruit damage. Earwig abundance responded positively to available refuge space, nutrients, and soil health. Weeds provided good refuge and the living mulch treatment had the greatest density. Trefoil treatments also promoted earwigs, presumably due to increased nitrogen. Tillage offered little refuge, and interrupted earwig nesting behavior. Weed density and cover differed among treatments. Weeds responded to treerow, but not alleyway vegetation. Treerows with living mulch had the most vegetation (100 g/m2), followed by straw mulch (62 g/m2), and tillage and fabric (16 and 14 g/m2), respectively. Biomass in all treatments declined in July, but tillage reached its minimum in June. Tillage was strongly associated with purselane, and straw mulch with field bindweed. Quack grass was more abundant in the straw treerow plots with trefoil in the alleyway than grass. The straw-grass treatment was associated with wild oats and alfalfa. Species composition differed by alleyway in the living mulch treatments, but with overlap. Dominant species in the living mulch plots were prickly lettuce, dandelion, alyssum, and clover. Trefoil alleyways were associated with green foxtail and mallow. Trefoil tended to creep into the treerow. Alfalfa planted in orchards at Capitol Reef National Park increased thrips on peach leaves but this effect was not seen when alfalfa was inter-seeded with grass. OBJECTIVE C. Two papers in the Journal of the American Pomological Society and the International Journal of Fruit Science describe selection of cover crops and mulches for N contribution and weed suppression in orchards. Alfalfa provided greatest biomass and N contributions at two locations. Thyme (Thymus vulgarius), provided greatest weed control in the tree row (83 %) Black medic (Medicago lupulina) and Catnip were satisfactory (60 and 64% cover respectively). Soil fertility and soil moisture were monitored in 2013 and 2014 to provide data for a fourth dissertation chapter (W. Chanjun). OBJECTIVE D. A graduate student (S Sawant) evaluated peach quality for all treatments in 2013. A second graduate student (A Khan) evaluated fruit quality and volatile components in 2014. Consumer acceptance of the peaches was evaluated in both years. In general, peaches were well liked with average ratings above five on a nine point scale for all treatments and years. Consumers preferred peaches grown with a legume alleyway in both years. Consumer acceptance data are still being analyzed and will be correlated to fruit quality parameters such as pH, firmness, size, degree brix, acidity, and volatiles. All required economic data have been collected. Thesis for T Knudsen is in final stages of preparation. Overview of economic returns to the peach production treatments (partial budgeting) to be completed in early 2015. We expect the organic orchard system with a legume alleyway and living cover treerow to be most productive, have highest quality fruit, be most economical and provide the greatest ecosystem services in terms of soil carbon, soil health and biodiversity of plants and arthropods. This treatment may use more water in dry years and also has potential to increase cat facing insects and earwigs.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Presentations
Ransom, C., Organic Weed Control Short Course, "Organic Weed Control Principles," USU Extension, Hurricane, Utah. (April 16, 2014
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: "Objective A. Tree trunk diameter and tree root distribution under alleyways and treerows were assessed. Soil NO3- and NH4+ was analyzed monthly from May to August and available nutrients, dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities, soil respiration and microbial biomass measured in June. Soil bulk density was measured in October. Leaf tissue analysis revealed that trees were no longer deficient in trace elements. Foliar applications of trace elements were continued as a precaution. Compost applications were limited to meet P needs and additional N supplied with an OMRI approved organic 12-0-0 fertilizer, NatureSafe. Measurements of soil volumetric water content continued, and irrigation quantities adjusted accordingly. Monthly readings of tree stem water potential were made to determine that tree water requirements were met. An on-farm trial was established at Capitol Reef National Park to demonstrate use of alfalfa for within-orchard N fixation. A trial to test effects of grazing and irrigation on frost survival of blooms was established at Randy Ramsley's farm; however, he lost his fruit before the experiment commenced. Objective B. We monitored weeds, arthropods, and diseases in relation to orchard floor management and tree health from May through September. Arthropods were monitored with sweep net, pitfall and ground vegetation samples, and various attractant traps. Pheromone monitoring, mating disruption, and supplemental insecticides were utilized to prevent crop injury from key lepidopteran pests. Earwig, cat-facing insect, and aphid injury was monitored on leaves and fruits. Processing and analysis of 2011 and 2012 arthropod samples continues. European earwigs were monitored with traps, and in 2012, an earwig capture-mark-recapture experiment was initiated. Objective C: Monitoring of six legume and four non-legume combinations as potential orchard alleyway cover crops continued at sites with partial shade. Biomass, percent cover of cover crops and weeds (by species) was taken prior to each mowing. Arthropods were sampled prior to mowing. In-row cover crops were monitored for biomass, weeds, soil N and water-use. Objective D: Unfortunately we lost most of our 2012 peach crop to spring frost. For this reason we were unable to carry out full sensory evaluation and fruit chemistry objectives. A limited sensory panel and preliminary lab studies were conducted on selected treatments using the small number of fruit available. Information gathering is ongoing from traditional orchard operations in preparation for economic analysis. All experimental orchard operations are being recorded and timed, and all input costs tracked. Total and marketable yields are being recorded so that break-even points for each system can be calculated. Objective E: PIs presented four talks on the project at the Utah State Horticulture Association and Colorado Fruit Growers meetings. A field day was held on August 16th to showcase the project. PIs met with the advisory team in February and September 2012. Growers are very impressed with how the organic peach trees look. Arthropod results were presented at two meetings of the Entomological Society of America." PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer R Reeve; Brent Black; Diane Alston; Corey Ransom; Ruby Ward; Silvana Martini; Waine Hanks; Randy Ramsley; Mark Rowley, Mae Culumber, Andrew Tebeau TARGET AUDIENCES: Tree fruit growers and extension agents in Utah and the Intermountain West Region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
"Objective A: Tree growth with legume alleyways, weed fabric and tillage was greater than in straw and living mulch with grass matching the conventional check. Available soil N was greater under legume and tillage, soil quality was best in legume treatments, while tree roots were more abundant in legume alleyways than grass. The straw mulch treatment with grass alleyway used the least water. Data analysis is ongoing. Progress is evaluated at weekly meetings with students and biweekly meetings with the whole team. Two posters were presented at ISHS and SSSA on nutrient cycling and soil quality in organic peach orchards. We held two meetings with our grower advisory team in 2012 to provide updates on project results and seek advice on orchard management. Growers were very impressed with how the trees look and the response of the trees to legumes in the alleyways. Ray Rowley successfully harvested his first certified organic tart cherry block and other Utah growers are planning to plant an organic apple orchard. Objective B: Trees grown with legumes are resistant to competition from weeds as evidenced from their growth. A talk on tree growth and a poster on pest dynamics were presented at the ISHS Organic Fruit Symposium and are accepted for publication in Acta Horticulturae. The talk is available to the public online. Earwigs continue to be a significant arthropod in the peach orchards. An earwig capture-mark-recapture experiment was conducted in Aug and Sep. Over 2,000 earwigs were marked and released. Approximate 1,100 recaptures were recorded. Preliminary results suggest that tree row and alley way treatments are affecting abundance and diversity of arthropods. Earwigs were affected by alleyway, treerow, and fertilizer treatments. Treatments that provided high levels of refuge space and nutrients increased earwig densities. Green peach aphids and lygus bugs were other arthropods of concern. Minor cat-facing injury was observed and appeared to be associated with legume alleyways. Data analysis is ongoing. There were no significant disease issues in 2012. Objective C: Two papers were published on legume use in orchards and organic weed control in the Journal of the American Pomological Society and the International Journal of Fruit Science. Five cover crops (thyme, black medic, buckwheat, catnip, alyssum) were established in a mid-shade tart cherry orchard for potential use in the tree-row. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) produced the greatest cover (60% average) relative to weeds (37% average), and bare ground (3% average). Data analysis for soil N contributions and water use is ongoing. Objective D: Due to the loss of the 2012 fruit crop we were unable to complete the fruit quality analysis this season. Objective E: Approximately 80 growers and fruit industry representatives attended the winter meeting and 12 growers attended the Kaysville field day. Of particular interest were findings showing the impact of legumes grown in alleyways on tree growth, despite considerable weed pressure in the tree row. Trees roots were much more abundant in alleyways with legumes than grass effectively increasing the rooting area of the trees in these treatments."
Publications
- Reeve, J., Black, B. L., Ransom, C., & Alston, D. G. (2012) Developing organic stone-fruit production options for Utah and the Intermountain West: Acta Horticulturae. (Accepted).
- Rowley, M., Black, B. L., Cardon, G. (2012). Alternative orchard floor management strategies. In USU Extension (Ed.), USU Cooperative Extension:. (Published).
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