2012 - Washington Red Raspberry Commission

ut the effect was short lived (Pinkerton et al., 2009). Other cultural options, such as fallow
periods, are not economically optional for many producers and management of this fallow period
can lead to declines in other soil health parameters (Forge et al., 2000). The use of small grain
ground covers to reduce P. penetrans populations has had mixed results; in some studies
reductions have occurred (Forge et al., 2000), while in others populations were not significantly
reduced (MacGuidwin and Layne, 1995). This project will evaluate the use of these tactics over
the planting duration, something not done elsewhere.
Physical soil health issues such as reductions in the organic matter fraction can impact a
number of other factors such as fertility, water availability, compaction, erosion, pest issues
(Magdoff and van Es, 2000), and lower mineralization of nutrients (Forge, 2011). Resulting is
the requirement to increase inputs such as fertilizers and can lead to the need for additional
tillage activities, thus further increasing soil organic matter losses. Introducing biomass to
increase organic matter levels, such as through the use of ground covers, is a common practice in
annual production systems.
Over-irrigation can cause leaching of valuable nitrogen fertilizer and can promote root
susceptibility to P. rubi. Retention of nutrients within the root zone has shown to significantly
increase through scheduled-based (tensiomter or atmometer) irrigation (Neilsen et. al 2011).
We will evaluate the use of a set of cultural practices in an integrated fashion so that the
individual and combined impacts can be measured. There is no current work being performed
with this design or treatments in Idaho, Oregon, or British Columbia.
Relationship to WRRC Research Priority(s): Because of the inter-disciplinary scope of this
project it is related to many of the priorities including:
#1 priorities
• Understanding soil ecology and soil borne pathogens and their effects on plant health and
crop yields.
• Soil fumigation techniques and alternatives to control soil pathogens, nematodes, and
weeds
#2 priorities
• Weed management
• Nutrient/Irrigation management
Objectives:
1. Evaluate integrated measures to improve soil health including use of ground covers,
alternative nutrient sources, and more efficient water delivery systems.
2. Evaluate new ground covers to be used in red raspberry production
Procedures: This project is designed to be ongoing through the lifetime of a raspberry planting
and will continue for a number of years utilizing similar methods described below, but with the
intention of evolving over time.
1. Evaluate integrated measures to improve soil health including use of ground covers,
alternative nutrient sources, and more efficient water delivery systems.
The trial was initiated in the spring of 2012 setup in a completely randomized split-split plot
design consisting of three replications on two commercial farms in ‘Meeker’ raspberries.
Variables include: 1.) Water Use (Tensiometer vs. Timed Irrigation)[Main-plot]; 2.) Ground
Covers (No vs. Spring Planted vs. Postharvest planted vs. perennial ground cover [one site
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