S15 - Session O4 - Long term application of animal and forest waste on a vineyard and its effect on yield and soil health

Authors: Girish K.S. Panicker *, Leonard Kibet, Willie Mims, Frank Matta, Juan Silva

Increased concerns over the last several decades on environmental quality have stimulated farmers to accept organic farming as an alternative to inorganic agriculture. Muscadine ( Vitis rotundifolia var. Summit) was grown on Memphis Silt Loam soil (Typic Hapludalph, silty, mixed, thermic). Three treatments of organic manures (cow-C; poultry-P; cow+poultry-CP) with gypsum and pine mulch were applied in a Completed Randomized Design (CRD). Control received inorganic fertilizers and traditional cultural practices. Leaf area index (LAI), percent canopy cover, stem diameter, and yield were higher in organic plants. There was no significant difference in diameter, length, and degree brix of the fruit. Soil compaction was always higher in control with lower soil moisture content and the compaction was lower in organic treatments due to higher level of organic matter content. Concentrations of nitrate-N and P were higher in the surface soil treated with organic manures, but there was no trend in N or P enrichment in lower layers of the soil. Comprehensive assessment of soil health done 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 overall quality score of 72 (Excellent). The results suggest that the controlled application of animal and forest wastes in basins of fruit trees can be an agronomically and environmentally sound practice to increase yield, and keep the soil and humans healthy.