2012 - Washington Red Raspberry Commission
2012 - Washington Red Raspberry Commission
2012 - Washington Red Raspberry Commission
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only])[split-plot]; and (Organically derived nutrient source vs. synthetic fertilizers [site 1]; spring<br />
soil sample driven vs. standard [site 2])[split-split plot]. Spring planted (SP) ground covers will<br />
be planted by late April and post-harvest (PH) ground covers will be planted after harvest<br />
operations. Ground cover biomass will be taken prior to harvest (Spring-planted only) and in<br />
October. Fresh and dry weights will be taken and then samples sent off for nutritional analysis to<br />
calculate nutrient contribution. Soil samples will be taken from each split-split plot in late March<br />
and nutrient content analyzed, and biological assay (nematode populations, P. rubi, V. dahliae).<br />
Soil temperature sensors (10 cm) will be placed in each sub-plot and soil moisture meters (10<br />
cm) will be placed in each main-plot before irrigation begins along with flow meters. Dormant<br />
primocane assessment (diameter) will occur in late winter (Zebarth, Freyman and Kowalenko,<br />
1993) and again in late fall. Chlorophyll content (SPAD 502Plus, Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.)<br />
of leaves will used to assess leaf nitrogen content monthly beginning in April (Privѐ et al., 1997).<br />
In-season assessment of effectiveness of ground cover to suppress weeds will be visually rated<br />
(0-100% scale). Fall soil samples will be taken from each split-split plot to measure remaining<br />
nutrient content.<br />
2. Evaluate new ground covers to be used in red raspberry production<br />
Continuing work from <strong>2012</strong>, additional ground covers (several species and varieties) will be<br />
planted in the spring and postharvest of 2013. Ground covers will be evaluated for biomass<br />
accumulation, nutrient contribution (through lab analysis), weed suppression, and ability to<br />
integrate into commercial systems (evaluating grower preference, costs). Results from this screen<br />
will feed into work done on Objective 1 in current and proceeding years.<br />
Anticipated Benefits and Information Transfer: Resulting from this work is a better<br />
understanding of management practices that will lead to improved soil health. Results will be<br />
shared with producers at the annual <strong>Washington</strong> Small Fruit Conference in December. Results<br />
will also be published on the WSU Whatcom County website and in the Whatcom Ag Monthly<br />
Newsletter along with photos and videos of the process for growers to get a better idea of what is<br />
involved throughout the year.<br />
References:<br />
Forge, T.A. and E. Kenney. 2011. Soil health, organic amendments and alternative practices for<br />
renovation of raspberry fields. SAGES Workshop, Abbotsford, CA.<br />
Forge, T.A., R. E. Ingham, D. Kaufman, and J.N. Pinkerton. 2000. Population Growth of<br />
Pratylenchus penetrans on Winter Cover Crops Grown in the Pacific Northwest. J. of<br />
Nematology. 32: 42-51.<br />
MacGuidwin, A. E., and T. L. Layne. 1995. Response of nematode communities to sudangrass<br />
and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids grown as green manure crops. Supplement to the<br />
Journal of Nematology 27:609–616.<br />
Magdoff, F and H. van Es. 2000. Building soils for better crops: 2 nd Ed.. Sustainable Agriculture<br />
Network. 230 pgs.<br />
Neilsen, D. S. Kuchta, T. Forge, B. Zebarth, C. Nichol, and M. Sweeney. 2011. Irrigation and<br />
Nitrogen Management. SAGES Workshop, Abbotsford, CA.<br />
Pinkerton, J. N., Walters, T. W., Windom, G. E., & Bristow, P. R. 2009. Soil Solarization as a<br />
Component of an Integrated Program for Control of <strong>Raspberry</strong> Root Rot [electronic<br />
resource]. Plant disease: an international journal of applied plant pathology, 93(5), 452-<br />
458.<br />
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