Progress 09/15/05 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The greenhouse that produced the transplants for the field trials was certified organic, as well as the research plots on the two Auburn University research stations. The following field trials were conducted during the duration of this project: Tomato and pepper variety trials, cover crop trials, tillage treatments, fertilizer treatments, and farmscaping plants for pest control. The organic tomato, pepper, and farmscaping plants were grown in the Auburn University Plant Growth Research Center on campus. Innovative methods of controlling greenhouse pests, such as aphids were developed using beneficial insects and farmscaping plants. The effects of tillage and pre-plant fertilizer levels on soil health were investigated. The indicators of soil health that were measured in this study include chemical (soil tests), biological (microbial population numbers, diversity, and activity), and disease suppressiveness. Groups of microorganisms were selected as indicators of soil microbial diversity: fluorescent psuedomonads, fungi, Actinomycetes, and spore-forming bacilli. Total microbial population numbers were determined using most probable number of bacteria/gram soil. Soil microbial activity was assessed by measuring the production of enzymes produced by bacteria during the oxidation of organic compounds and the release of nutrients. Tests included: fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDA), phosphatase activity, and dehydrogenase activity. Another indicator of soil health that was investigated was disease suppressiveness. Soil samples from the different fertilizer and tillage treatments were planted to tomato plants in the lab. The samples were inoculated with two different pathogens to determine soil disease suppressive properties of the soils: Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani. A workshop on organic certification was conducted on the Auburn University campus. The target group was agricultural workers, such as Extension and NRCS. Auburn University collaborated with partners, such as AL A&M, and the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network to host annual organic vegetable production conferences. Some of the sessions that were conducted included tomato grafting presented by AU Extension, and organic no-till vegetable production with Ron Morse as the invited speaker. Website - Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production Research hosted a website that was kept updated with research results of the tomato and pepper project. http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/organicveg/ e-newsletter - A monthly e-newsletter was sent out to over 200 growers, gardeners, and agricultural service providers. Presentations: Information and results from the project were presented to AU Extension staff at their annual meeting, the Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference (2 different years), at the annual organic vegetable production conference, and during organic gardening workshops. Advising - many growers called and asked for advice in organic vegetable production. Field days were held at North Alabama Horticultural Research Station, E.V. Smith, and at AL A&M where participants were shown the tomato and pepper plots and cover crops. PARTICIPANTS: Joseph Kloepper, professor, plant pathology, Auburn University, project supervisor. Henry Fadamiro, professor, Entomology, Auburn University, coordinated farmscaping project and directed graduate student thesis. Joseph Molnar, professor, Rural Sociology and Agricultural Economics, coordinated annual organic conferences, and presented, directed two graduate student theses. Joseph Kemble, professor, Horticulture, and Extension for vegetable crops, Auburn University, advised on tomato and pepper production, and directed a graduate student thesis. Carol J. Garrett, Research Fellow, Auburn University, coordinated the research, submitted reports, made presentations, wrote e-newsletters and research updates. Rao Mentreddy, professor, Soil Science, Alabama A&M University. Coordinated research at AL A&M, advised research project, directed dissertation research. Gurudev Mayalagu, PhD student, Soil Science, Alabama A&M - studied effects of cover crops on soil fertility. Timothy Nafziger, M.S. Student, Auburn University, "The Effects of Farmscaping Plants on the Abundance, Diversity, and Longevity of Arthropods in Organic Tomato Fields in Alabama". Mecca Lowe, M.S. Student, Auburn University, "Collaborative Marketing Enterprises: Local Food Exchange and the Promise of Sustainability". Lina Cui, M.S. Student, Auburn University, "Growing Naturally in Alabama: Needs and Possibilities". C.J. McGrath, M.S. Student, Auburn University, "Evaluation of Optimal Substrates and Fertilizers For Organic Vegetable Transplant Production In Alabama" Arnold Caylor, Superintendent, North AL Horticultural Research Station, Directed and implemented field work, advised project design. Jason Burkett, Field superintendent, E.V. Smith Agricultural Research Center, Directed and implemented field work, advised project design. Lewis Bingham, Field staff, Alabama A&M, implemented field research. Karen Wynne, Executive Director, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, helped organize Annual Organic Vegetable Conferences. Dee Fowler, Research Associate, Auburn University. Maintained website, mailed monthly e-newsletter. Conferences and workshops attended by participants: Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production Conferences, Georgia Organics, Organic Certification workshops at University of Florida and at Auburn University, Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference, Master Gardeners Tomato Growers Workshop, Advanced Organic Farming Training, field days at farms and research stations. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small, sustainable vegetable growers of Alabama and the Deep South - website, e-newsletter, annual conferences, field days, advising upon request. Agricultural Service Providers - Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service, website, e-newsletter, annual conferences, field days, advising upon request, workshops. Home gardeners - website, e-newsletter, annual conferences, field days, advising upon request, gardening workshops. Professional nursery, greenhouse owners, managers, website, e-newsletter, annual conferences, field days, advising upon request, gardening workshops. Agricultural researchers - website, e-newsletter, annual conferences, field days, advising upon request, workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
An effective organic no-till method for tomato and pepper production was developed planting transplants into compost mulch placed over cover crop residue. Four graduate student theses were funded by this project: "Evaluation of Optimal Substrates and Fertilizers For Organic Vegetable Transplant Production In Alabama", "The Effects of Farmscaping Plants on the Abundance, Diversity, and Longevity of Arthropods in Organic Tomato Fields in Alabama", "Collaborative Marketing Enterprises: Local Food Exchange and the Promise of Sustainability", "Growing Naturally in Alabama: Needs and Possibilities". Tomato variety trials: the tomato spotted wilt virus resistant variety, Amelia, out-performed Celebrity and Mountain Fresh, especially in dry weather when thrips were a greater problem. Pepper variety trials: Hungarian Hot Wax consistently performed the best. Cover crops were grown without irrigation. Sunn hemp performed the best of the summer cover crops. It is drought tolerant, produces abundant biomass, suppresses weeds, and deer do not eat it. The winter cover crop that consistently performed the best was cereal rye. It produced more biomass and weed suppressing mulch, which lasted for most of the growing season when left on the soil surface. When the planting rows were covered with compost mulch prior to planting the cash crop, there was no cover crop effect; that is, the previous season cover crop did not affect the yield of the subsequent cash crop. The effects of tillage on tomato and pepper yields: At A&M there was no difference between tillage treatments in pepper production, but tomato yield was higher in the raised beds than in the no-till plots. At Cullman, there was no difference in tomato production, but pepper production was greater in conventional tillage. At E.V. Smith, there was no difference between tillage treatments for either crop; crop yields were poor in both tillage treatments due to weed pressure. This study showed that when sufficient compost was used, fertilizer application had no effect. Aphids were controlled in the greenhouse production of tomato and pepper transplants by the use of barley as banker plants to sustain beneficial insects through the early growing season. Several products labeled for organic production were compared for foliar disease control effectiveness in tomatoes. Champion WP (copper), Serenade, Sonata, BioYield, Oxidate and alternating combinations of treatments were tried. No differences were observed due to production problems each year and dry weather that was not conducive to foliar disease incidence. No differences between tillage or fertilizer treatments were observed in the chemical or biological tests conducted, with the exception of significantly greater numbers of fluourescent pseudomonads and total bacteria in strip till as compared to no-till. Tillage and fertilizer effects on soil disease suppressiveness: the no-till and full fertilizer treatments resulted in significantly fewer emerged seedlings and lower seedling weight with the addition of the pathogen in both pathogen trials, indicating that these soil treatments decrease the disease suppressive ability of soils.

Publications

• Joysee M. Rodriguez, Joseph John Molnar, Robin A. Fazio, Emily Sydnor and Mecca J. Lowe (2009). Barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture practices: Change agent perspectives. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 24, pp 60-71 doi:10.1017/S1742170508002421
• Nafziger, T.D. Jr., and H.Y. Fadamiro. 2011. Suitability of some farmscaping plants as nectar sources for the parasitoid wasp, Microplitis croceipes(Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Effects on longevity and body nutrients. Biological Control. 56(3). March 2011, Pages 225-229.
• Nafziger, T.D. 2009. The Effects of Farmscaping Plants on the Abundance, Diversity, and Longevity of Arthropods in Organic Tomato Fields in Alabama. A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science.
• Fowler, D., and J. Garrett. 2006 through 2010. Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production Research E-Newsletter. Monthly. Provides research updates from Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production Program. Via email.
• Lowe, Mecca. 2009. Collaborative Marketing Enterprises: Local Food Exchanges and the Promise of Sustainability. A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. 90pp.
• Cui, Lina. 2008. Growing Naturally in Alabama: Needs and Possibilities. A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. 79pp.
• Nafziger, T.D. and H. Fadamiro. 2009. Effects of Farmscaping plants on the abundance and diversity of arthropods in organic tomato fields. Proceedings. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. University of Florida.
• McGrath, C.J. 2008. Evaluation of Optimal Substrates and Fertilizers for Organic Vegetable Transplant Production in Alabama. A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. 102 pp.
• Nyochembeng,L.M., R.N. Mankolo, S.R. Mentreddy, and G. Mayalagu. 2011. Cover crop, reflective polyethylene mulch and biofungicide effects on yield and management of diseases in field-grown organic tomato (Submitted to HortScience).
• Mankolo, R.N., L.M. Nyochembeng, and S.R., Mentreddy. 2011. Utilizing Organic Mulches for Weed Control and Nutrient Management in Organic Cropping System. 16th ARD Research Symposium. April 9-13, 2011. Atlanta, GA. (Accepted for presentation).
• Mankolo, R.N. L.M. Nyochembeng, S.R., Mentreddy, and G. Mayalagu, 2010. Cover crop effects on phosphorus bioavailability under organic production system. ASA Annual meetings, Long Beach, CA. Oct 31-Nov 3, 2010.
• Nyochembeng,L.M., R.N. Mankolo, S.R. Mentreddy. 2010. Organic and polyethylene mulches with biofungicides for managing diseases in organic tomato production system. Phytopathology 100:S91.
• Mayalagu, G., S.R. Mentreddy, J. Kloepper, and C.J. Garrett. 2009. Summer cover crops for organic production systems. ASA, CSSA, ASSA Abstracts, 2009. 2nd Place winner, Graduate student poster competitions.
• Nyochembeng,L.M., R.N. Mankolo, S.R. Mentreddy and G. Mayalagu. 2009. Effect of fall cover crops on tomato and pepper diseases and fruit yield under organic production in North Alabama. Phytopathology 99:S95.
• Mankolo, R.N. L.M. Nyochembeng, S.R., Mentreddy, R. Ward, and G. Mayalagu, 2009. Effect of cover crop on nutrient availability and vegetable production under organic and conventional production systems. Soil Science Society of America. Pittsburg, PA.
• Nyochembeng, L.M., S.R. Mentreddy, and R.N. Mankolo. 2009. Effect of plastic mulch and biofungicide on fruit yield and severity of foliar diseases in organic tomato production system. Proceedings, ARD Symposium, Atlanta, GA.
• Mentreddy R., R. Mankolo, L. Nyochembeng, R. Ward and G. Mayalagu. 2009. Tomato and pepper yields in response to fall cover crops in organic production system. 15th ARD Symposium, Atlanta, GA.
• Mayalagu, G, Rao Mentreddy, C.J. Garrett, and Joseph Kloepper. 2009. Sustainable tomato production: Tillage and fertilizer effects. 15th ARD Symposium, Atlanta, GA. Mayalagu, G. , S.R. Mentreddy, J. Kloepper, and C.J. Garrett. 2008. Choice of a Cover Crop for Weed Management in Organic Vegetable Production. Abstract, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
• Mayalagu, G. , Rao Mentreddy, C.J. Garrett, and Joseph Kloepper. 2008. Environmentally friendly production methods for tomato and pepper in Alabama. Featured graduate student presentation at AG Week Celebrations, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University. April 23, 2008.
• Mayalagu, G., S.R. Mentreddy, and J. Kloepper. 2007. Organic No-Till Vegetable Production System: Weed Management with Cover Crops. Abstract, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
• Mayalagu, G., and S.R. Mentreddy. 2007. Organic production of Tomato and Pepper. STEM Day. Graduate Student Competitive Poster Presentation. AAMU, March 30, 2007.
• Mayalagu, G., S.R. Mentreddy, C.J. Garrett, A. Caylor, and J. Kloepper. 2007. Cover Crops for Weed Management in Organic Production Systems. Southern Branch ASA Meetings, Feb 3-7, 2007, Mobile, AL.

Progress 09/15/08 to 09/14/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sampled fall cover crops and analyzed data. Conducted second year of pre-plant fertilizer trials and tillage trials for tomato and pepper production. Analyzed tomato and pepper yield data. Collected weed samples in all treatments and analyzed data. Conducted soil disease suppressiveness study comparing effects of tillage and pre-plant fertilizer treatments. Attended advanced organic training in NC. Co-hosted the annual Organic Vegetable Production Conference along with the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network. Attended Georgia Organics Conference. Attended Southern Sustainable Working Group Conference. Hosted a field day at AL A&M research site. Completed second field season on M.S. graduate research project investigating the effectiveness of farmscaping plants in attracting beneficial insects. Completed final field season of PhD graduate research project at AL A&M. PARTICIPANTS: Timothy Nafziger is a Master of Science student working under the direction of Henry Fadamiro. He completed his research project on the effectiveness of farmscaping plants on attracting beneficial insects to tomato plantings. Gurudev Mayalagu is a PhD student working under the direction of Rao Mentreddy at AL A&M. He is investigating the effects of cover crops on soil properties in organic no-till systems. He is in the process of writing his dissertation. Mecca Lowe was a Master's student in Rural Sociology working under the direction of Joseph Molnar. She finished the requirements for her degree. She was studying collaborative marketing opportunities for small scale organic growers in AL. Jan Garrett is a research fellow in the Plant Pathology Dept. at Auburn University. She works under the direction of Joe Kloepper. She is responsible for coordinating the research on the research stations and collecting and analyzing data. She attended the advanced organic training in NC, the Georgia Organics Conference, and the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference. She also helped to organized the Annual AL Organic Conference and she submits the reports for the project. The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network collaborated with Auburn University to host the field day at AL A&M and to host the Annual AL Organic Conference. Dee Fowler maintains a website for the AU Organic Vegetable Production Research Program where the research results of this project are posted. He also sends out a monthly e-newsletter with research updates to the AU Extension community and to many growers throughout the state. Jane Hoehaver grew the transplants for the research plots in the certified organic greenhouse on campus. She experimented with biocontrol of pests using trap crops and banker plants. Arnold Caylor was responsible for the implementation of the project at Cullman, Jason Burkett at E.V. Smith, and Lewis Bingham and Guru Mayalagu at AL A&M. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience in this research project are the small scale organic growers and agricultural service providers in Alabama. Information is disseminated at field days on the research stations, the monthly e-newsletter, presentations at conferences and meetings, and through inquiries from interested farmers and agricultural service providers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The field design was changed to accommodate replications for scientific analysis. The design was originally 6 large plots planted to different cover crops, but was changed to a complete randomized block design with each of the original 6 blocks containing a replication of each tillage and fertilizer treatment and planted to the same cover crop.

Impacts
There was no difference between tillage treatments in pepper yield at E.V. Smith or at A&M, but the CT plots produced greater pepper yields at Cullman. The number of tomatoes was greater in the raised bed than in NT at A&M, but the weight of the tomatoes was not significantly different between the two tillage treatments. At Cullman the tomatoes in the CT tillage treatment produced significantly more marketable tomatoes in number and weight than those in the NT plots. At E.V. Smith there was no difference in tomato or pepper yield between tillage treatments. At E.V. Smith and at Cullman there was no difference between pre-plant fertilizer levels in tomato or pepper yield. At A&M the higher levels of pre-plant fertilizer produced higher crop yields; this location did not apply much compost to the crops. The results of this research indicate that the farmer may experience some crop yield reductions when transitioning to organic no till. By using compost mulch and liquid fertilizer through the drip irrigation system, farmers can omit the use of pre-plant fertilizer. These other sources of soil fertility substituted for half of the recommended amount of nitrogen. Further research is needed in order to determine if the compost and cover crop residues can adequately substitute for the liquid fertilizer as well. Fertilizer is often one of the most expensive inputs that must be purchased. However, the amount of compost that was required in order to cover the soil surface 5-6" deep and 2-3' wide also represents a substantial investment of money so that the cost-effectiveness of this method would depend upon the farmers' sources of organic material and their means of managing it. For our experiment, cotton gin trash, dairy waste, sawdust, and chicken litter were used. Some of these materials were expensive and hard to locate. Additionally, specialized pieces of machinery, such as a compost turner, front end loader, and spreader, were used to manage this amount of compost. For some farmers pre-plant fertilizer, along with cover crop residues, may be more cost effective for supplying necessary plant nutrients. It is expected that the need for pre-plant fertilizer, as well as the need for large quantities of imported compost, will diminish with the increase in soil organic matter content that occurs through time with the use of high residue cover crops in no till systems.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report covers the third year of our Integrated Organic Program Grant titled: Midsummer Production of Organic Tomato and Pepper in the Deep South. The field research was conducted at three locations in Alabama: two Auburn University research centers, E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter and North Alabama Horticultural Research Center in Cullman, and one Alabama A&M research station: W. Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Normal, AL. Tomato, pepper, and farmscaping seedlings were produced in Auburn University's certified organic greenhouse for transplanting in the field. The seedlings were transplanted into certified organic plots at the Auburn University research stations and into fields in organic transition at AL A&M's research station. The field experiments for 2008 focused on the effects of tillage and fertilizer treatments on tomato and pepper yield, weed populations, and soil health. At each research station, the no-till method was compared to a tillage treatment that was considered to be most effective for the soil type present at that location. At A&M the tillage treatment was raised beds, at Cullman the tillage treatment was spade-tillage followed by a roto-tiller, and at E.V. Smith it was strip tillage. Fertilizer trials were included in order to determine the most cost-effective amounts for each production method. We also conducted field trials of several OMRI-approved products for foliar disease control of tomato. Additionally, we conducted field trials of several farmscaping plants for their ability to attract beneficial insects and control populations of pest insects on adjacent tomato plants. Cash crop yield data were collected and analyzed, insect samples were collected from farmscaping plots and the insects identified and weed populations were measured in different treatments at E.V. Smith. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for chemical and biological properties as indictors of soil health. Field days were held at two of the research stations during the growing season. Approximately 65 growers and agricultural service providers from throughout the state attended. They toured the organic research plots and received updated information on the experiments and results. Alabama Extension agents were given a tour of the organic plots at E.V. Smith and received instruction about practical aspects of certified organic production. Ten Extension Agents and researchers attended. The Sixth Annual Organic Vegetable Production Conference was held in November. A workshop was conducted on organic greenhouse production at Auburn University. The organic conference also included a session on "Research Priorities for Small Scale Organic Producers in Alabama". Auburn University presented a workshop on organic greenhouse production at the Annual Georgia Organics Conference. The Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production website was kept up to date with information and research results and a monthly e-newsletter sent to constituents throughout the state. A report of the year's field experiments was posted on the website and a link to the report was sent in the monthly e-newsletter. PARTICIPANTS: The following Auburn University researchers worked on the project: Dr. Joseph Kloepper, principle investigator - Directed the project, managed personnel, managed the budget, advised. Dr. Carol Janeen Garrett - Research fellow - coordinated research at the three research locations, ordered supplies, organized meetings between researchers, production decisions, collected and analyzed data, prepared progress reports, wrote e-newsletters about research results, organized Annual Organic Conference, provide information to growers on organic production. Dee Fowler - maintained website, published monthly e-newsletters. Dr. Joseph Molnar - organized Annual Organic Conference, directed graduate student project. Mecca Lowe - Dr. Molnar's graduate student. Mecca Lowe has initiated a study of collaborative marketing efforts by small scale organic producers in the state. Mecca presented her research proposal and some preliminary data at the Rural Sociological Society's Annual Meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire, and at the joint meeting of the Association for Food & Society and the Agriculture, Food and Human values Society in New Orleans, LA. She helped organize the Annual Organic Conference. Dr. Joseph Kemble - directed graduate student project. CJ McGrath - Dr. Kemble's graduate student - investigated various potting media and fertilizers for organic plug production and CJ presented her research results at the Georgia Organics Conference in February and at the 6th Annual Alabama Organic Vegetable Production Conference in November. Dr. Henry Fadamiro - directed a graduate student project. Tim Nafziger is a graduate student with Dr. Fadamiro working on the farmscaping aspect of the project. Dr. Rao Mentreddy - directed a graduate student project. Participated in the Alabama Organic Production Conference. Gurudev Mayalagu - Dr. Mentreddy's graduate student. Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network - helped organize and finance the Alabama Organic Production Conference. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service participated in the 6th Annual Organic Conference as well. They conducted a session on alternative production methods. They conducted a tour of the research plots at E.V. Smith. Auburn University researchers attended and participated in the Georgia Organics Conference. TARGET AUDIENCES: This information provided by this project is useful to our growers who have expressed an interest in no-till production. Some of them had been hesitant to try no-till due to concerns about yield reductions. The results of our research suggest that no-till does not result in yield reductions. Hence, farmers can feel confident about trying no-till. The results of the pre-plant fertilizer trials suggest that if farmers apply compost and use liquid fertilizer in the drip irrigation system, as many of them do, they may not reap additional benefits from also applying pre-plant fertilizer. The results of this research can help farmers make informed production decisions that will enable them to increase their profit margins. The outreach components of this grant, mainly the monthly e-newsletter, website, and also the annual organic production conference, have resulted in our receiving a lot of inquiries for information on organic production. Alabama does not have an organic certification program consequently people requesting information on organic production practices are often directed to us. Interested parties also come across our Organic Vegetable Production website on the Auburn University website and they call or email for specific information. We have provided many new or prospective growers with information or directed them to other agriculture service providers or experienced growers who can help them. As a result we are beginning to form a community of growers, researchers, and other stakeholders for networking and information sharing regarding organic production and marketing in Alabama. Alabama Cooperative Extension Agents participated in the 6th Annual Organic Conference as well. They conducted a session on alternative production methods. This grant has provided multiple opportunities for AU researchers and Extension staff to collaborate on organic vegetable production techniques which has helped to increase knowledge. Pre-tests given at the Extension tour of the organic field plots at E.V. Smith produced average scores of 59% and post-test scores averaged 92%. Interest has grown in organic production in Alabama since this project has begun. The number and diversity of small scale organic producers has increased. Effective partnerships have been created, and we have expanded the conference presentations from vegetable production to livestock and small fruit production due to grower demand. This grant has provided a start for a much needed and appreciated organic production program in the state and it will serve as leverage for other such grants in order to continue the work into the future. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
There were no differences observed between tillage treatments and fertilizer treatments at any of the research stations in tomato and pepper yields, with the exception of an increase in pepper yield in the raised beds at A&M as compared to the no-till treatment. At E.V. Smith where weeds were measured, there were no differences between treatments in weed populations. This information is useful to our growers who have expressed an interest in no-till production. Some of them had been hesitant to try no-till due to concerns about yield reductions and weed problems. The results of our research suggest that no-till does not result in yield reductions or increases in weed populations. Hence, farmers can feel confident about trying no-till. We will repeat the experiment again during the summer of 2009 in order to increase the confidence level of our results and recommendations. The results of the pre-plant fertilizer trials suggest that if farmers apply compost and use liquid fertilizer in the drip irrigation system, as many of them do, they may not reap additional benefits from also applying pre-plant fertilizer. The tillage treatments were not found to be different with respect to soil health indicators. The foliar disease trials did not succeed due to production problems. These trials will be attempted again next summer. The farmscaping experiment yielded some preliminary results that facilitated the re-design and improvement of the field design for next summer. An important impact of this grant has been to build a working relationship between farmers of the state and this land grant research institution to investigate appropriate methods of organic production for small scale producers. As a result, we have submitted a proposal for a SARE grant titled "A Farmer-Researcher Collaborative Effort to Design No-till Systems Appropriate for Small-scale Organic Producers in Alabama and the Deep South". If funded this SARE grant will serve as a follow up to the present CSREES grant. The outreach components of this grant, mainly the monthly e-newsletter, website, and also the annual organic production conference, have resulted in our receiving a lot of inquiries for information on organic production. Alabama does not have an organic certification program consequently people requesting information on organic production practices are often directed to us. Interested parties also come across our Organic Vegetable Production website on the Auburn University website and they call or email for specific information. We have provided many new or prospective growers with information or directed them to other agriculture service providers or experienced growers who can help them. As a result we are beginning to form a community of growers, researchers, and other stakeholders for networking and information sharing regarding organic production and marketing in Alabama.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/15/06 to 09/14/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This report covers the second year of our Integrated Organic Program Grant at three research stations in Alabama: E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, North Alabama Horticultural Research Center in Cullman, and W. Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Normal, AL. Field days were held at two of the research stations during the growing season. Approximately 125 growers and agricultural service providers from throughout the state attended. They were able to review the organic plots and received updated information on the experiments and results. The Fifth Annual Organic Vegetable Production Conference was held in November in conjunction with the Community Food Leaders Forum organized by Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network and Auburn University where findings of our project were presented to growers and other interested parties. North Alabama Horticultural Research Center superintendent Arnold Caylor presented the model no-till organic production system that he developed during the first two years of this project. Approximately 70 people attended the conference. The information was also disseminated through brochures, our website, and the monthly e-newsletter. An organic certification workshop titled: "The National Organic Standards: What Service Providers Need to Know about the Organic Rules and Regulations" was held in Auburn in July for Extension staff and other agricultural service providers. Approximately 50 people attended. Grant funds paid for travel expenses to allow Extension workers to receive in-service training. A field day was held at a local farm in cooperation with Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network. Approximately 30 people attended the event. People viewed demonstrations of successful organic farming techniques. There was a question, answer session following the farm tour. Lina Cui, a graduate student in rural sociology composed a survey requesting information from growers and other agricultural constituents concerning challenges and barriers to adopting organic production techniques. As of this reporting period approximately 70 of these surveys have been returned. The Auburn University Organic Vegetable Production website was kept up to date with information and research results and a monthly e-newsletter sent to constituents throughout the state. The Auburn University Plant Growth Research Center Greenhouse had been certified as organic during the first year of the grant. The research plots at EV Smith and North AL Horticultural Research Center were certified as organic in October 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked on this project include the principal investigators, Joseph Klopper, Joseph Molnar, Joseph Kemble, Henry Fadamiro, and Rao Mentreddy and their students, Lina Cui and Guru Mayalagu. Jan Garrett was employed as a Research Fellow with the major responsibility of coordinating the research project on the three research stations. Dee Fowler is a research associate in Plant Pathology at Auburn University whose responsibility it is to keep up the website and send out the monthly e-newsletters. Other personnel who worked on this grant included Jane Hoehaver, who manages the Plant Growth Research Center, Arnold Caylor, superintendent of the North Alabama Horticultural Research Center, Jason Burkett, Associate Director of the Horticultural Unit at EV Smith Research Center, and Lewis Bingham, field superintendent at the W. Thomas Agricultural Research Station. The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network cooperated with us on field days, farm tours, and the Organic Conference. Jones Valley Urban Farms cooperated with us on a farm tour of their gardens as part of the Organic Conference. The University of FL Center for Organic Agriculture collaborated with us on the National Organic Program workshop. We have many contacts throughout the state who receive our monthly e-newsletter. It goes out to all of the Auburn University school of agriculture, including all of the Extension staff, growers, and any one else who requests a copy. Growers contribute to the e-newsletter with grower's tips. We frequently have requests for more information on organic farming techniques and organic certification. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include growers, agricultural service providers, and consumers. All of the groups of people attend the annual organic conference, field days, farm tours, and receive the monthly e-newsletter.

Impacts
Last year's field experiments were repeated in 2007. Additionally, several new cover crop combinations were planted and evaluated. One of the methods we explored last summer shows great promise for allowing producers to obtain good yields with an integrated, organic no-till system. It involves producing a large quantity of compost; cotton gin trash was used here. The finished compost was banded into the planting rows in a layer 3 feet wide by 4-6 inches deep and the tomato and pepper transplants were planted into the compost mulch. This helped suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and also added nutrients to the soil. The yields obtained by this system were above the average yields obtained by conventional production methods in this state. Growers were informed of this method through the monthly e-newsletter and also through a presentation at the Community Food Leaders Forum. We have had requests for more information and are providing that. There was no significant difference in the performance of the three tomato varieties, with the exception that Celebrity performed significantly poorer than the other two at W. Thomas. This was due to disease. Hungarian hot wax performed the best of the three pepper varieties. Due to the extreme drought of this past growing season, the cover crops did not perform well. However, the drought did aid in weed control. The living mulches that we attempted to establish in the alleyways appeared to have died during the summer, but they did come back to some extent when it rained later in the summer. We re-planted them but this fall has also been extremely dry. There was no significant difference in biomass production between the cover crop monocultures and the fallow plot because of poor establishment due to the drought. The cover crop mixtures, however, grew well. They had been planted a few days earlier when the soil was moist, whereas the monocultures had been planted in dryer soil just before a rain came and washed away much of the seed. Though the crops were re-planted, conditions were not favorable for germination and growth. In spite of the poor establishment, we found that canola, crimson clover, and hairy vetch had significantly fewer summer weeds than the fallow control plot. In the cover crop mixtures trials, we found that rye and triticale in monoculture produced the most biomass. The rye/hairy vetch/crimson clover mixture produced the most nitrogen per acre. There was no significant effect of cover crops on crop yields at two of the locations, probably because of poor establishment due to the drought. At one of the locations, though, all cover crops produced higher yields than the fallow plot, with the exception of canola. Canola did not die back when it was mowed down and it competed with the crop for water. There was no significant difference in tomato yield with the various organically approved pesticides. Foliar diseases were not much of a problem in this dry summer. Next year we plan to use overhead irrigation to increase the disease pressure in the foliar disease trials.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/15/05 to 09/15/06

Outputs
Field trials were conducted at 3 locations in AL: EV Smith in the south central part of the state, Cullman in the north central area, and AL A&M in the north central area. Five fall cover crops were evaluated for cover, weed control, and biomass production. Canola and rye had the best weed suppression. The results show the potential of cover crops for effective weed management provided the cover crop has good establishment. Soil samples, plant tissue samples, and soil moisture were analyzed from each cover crop plot. Organic soil amendments were applied at the recommended rates. At mid-season, the nitrogen content of the crops was found to be sufficient at all locations. Phosphorus was sufficient at all but A&M. Potassium and calcium were found to be borderline or deficient at all locations. The rye plot had the highest soil moisture content. The crops in the cover crop plots did not out perform those in the fallow plot at Cullman or at A&M. At EV Smith, the leguminous cover crops out-yielded the fallow plots. Rye did not perform well at any location. The crops in the rye plot had sufficient nitrogen at all locations. Eleven farmscaping plants were evaluated for growth, vigor, flowering periods, and attraction to beneficial insects. All plants grew well and attracted many beneficial insects. Three varieties of tomato: Celebrity, Amelia, and Mountain Fresh Plus and 3 varieties of pepper: Ancho, Hungarian Hot Wax, and Ring-O-Fire Cayenne were evaluated. There were no significant differences in yields of the tomato varieties, except that at A&M Celebrity had significantly higher yields than Amelia. Hungarian Hot Wax had significantly higher yields at all research stations than Ancho, which had higher yields than Cayenne. Some OMRI listed products were tested for disease management in tomato: Champ WP (copper), Serenade, Sonata, and BioYield. There were no significant differences in tomato yield between treatments, which was attributed to the low incidence of disease in this dry year. The results of these experiments will help organic growers to find effective methods of producing organic tomatoes and peppers. The Research Fellow employed by this project attended a three day workshop on training agricultural workers in Organic Certification. A presentation on this research project was provided to Cooperative Extension Agents at their annual Inservice Training. Feedback has indicated that a formal training session is desired, and work is underway to establish such a session. We have supported and provided materials for in-depth extension training in cooperation with Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network and key Extension stakeholders. We sponsored an on-farm tour, a one-day workshop for growers and agricultural workers on organic growing methods, as well as our annual Organic Conference. We maintain a website with research updates and send out a monthly e-bulletin to the extension service staff, growers, and other interested parties. The initial findings of this project were presented at the Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in December 2006.

Impacts
Expected Impact: The consumption of organic produce has recently increased in AL as evidenced by the increase in organic produce sections in the local grocery store chains; however, the supply of locally grown organic produce has not kept up with the demand. This presents a potentially lucrative opportunity for AL farmers, but they need information on viable growing techniques applicable to the state. The AL Cooperative Extension Service has had an increased demand for information on organic growing techniques and methods, but the information is not available. Hence there is an information gap that research needs to fill. The objective of this project is to provide growers with the critical information that they need in order to fill Alabama consumers' demand for locally grown organic produce. Training systems for Cooperative Extension personnel are being developed as a vital component of this objective.

Publications

• No publications reported this period