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Tropical Cover Crops for Improving Soil Quality

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Tropical Cover Crops for Improving Soil Quality PROJECT REPORT h PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT h SARE Final Results EW98-012 Covering New Ground: Tropical Cover Crops for Improving Soil Quality http://wsare.usu.edu Location: SUMMARY Hawaii and Pacific Region This project was established to collect, improve access to and distribute information about cover crops and green manures appropriate for the Pacific Funding Period: Aug. 15, 1998-June 30, 2002 region. It has developed a list of 26 plant species (with 17 more viable candidates) and provided plant descriptions at a Web site from which Grant Award: information can be printed and a search engine employed. In conjunction with $84,500 developing the Web-based information, 11 sites were established on six islands demonstrating the use of cover crops or green manures under different crop Project Coordinator: production systems serving local farmer needs. Richard Bowen University of Hawaii-Manoa 1910 East West Rd. A training workshop with local farmers and representatives from extension, Sherman Lab NRCS, industry, community colleges, Guam, Palau and Kosrae covered the use Honolulu, HI 96822 of cover crops and green manures. It included a cover crop/green manure (808) 956-8708 [email protected] recommendation exercise, a computer exercise to use the Web site database, classroom and field exercises in soil quality and a visit to a cover crop/green Major Participants: manure demonstration site. Alton Arakaki Extension Agent During the final phase of the project, workshops were held at each CTAHR University of Hawaii demonstration site, the Web site was further refined and the information on the cover crops and green manures was incorporated onto a CD-ROM and into a Scott Campbell series of leaflets about tropical cover crops. Specialist University of Hawaii-Manoa INTRODUCTION Frank Cruz Information gleaned from cover crop research in Hawaii and the Pacific has University of Guam been scattered among islands, agencies and individuals with no economic Joe DeFrank analysis, retarding recommendations on their use to farmers. Weed Specialist University of Hawaii-Manoa The NRCS Plant Materials Centers on Molokai and Guam have been leaders in research and the introduction of cover crops to the islands, and the University of Richard Ebesu Extension Agent Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has conducted CTAHR numerous research projects over the years. Other cover crop research has been University of Hawaii conducted by the Agricultural Development in the American Pacific Project in American Samoa, Hawaii, Pohnpei and Guam. And several international Lisa Ferentinos Education Specialist II research institutes have researched cover crops but results have received little University of Hawaii-Manoa exposure. Robert Joy Plant Materials Specialist OBJECTIVES/PERFORMANCE TARGETS USDA NRCS 1. Determine a set of 20 tropical cover/green manure crops suitable for Hawaii and the Pacific region and promote their use Ray McDuff 2. Improve access to information on tropical cover/green manure crops so Northern Marianas College agricultural professionals can make better recommendations and producers Larry Shinshiro can make better management decisions; make the information available in State Agronomist print, CD-ROM and a Web-based database USDA NRCS 3. Establish 10 cover crop demonstration sites representing different tropical Jody Smith crops and cropping systems to gain experience and prepare for field days Education Specialist II 4. Train CES and NRCS personnel in selection and economic impacts of University of Hawaii-Manoa cover/green manure crops, linking the training to soil quality measures in cropped areas and including crop recommendation exercises Hector Valenzuela Vegetable Specialist 5. Have CES agents apply their knowledge by conducting cover/green manure University of Hawaii-Manoa crop training via field days for target audiences at demonstration sites 2003 i EW98-012i 1 METHODS A half-time coordinator was hired to oversee the project and representatives of organizations, commodity groups, universities, agencies and farmers, especially those previously involved in cover crop work, were encouraged to participate. The working group developed a priority list of 26 crops that seemed most promising for annual cropping systems. The coordinator sought input from farmers who have worked with cover crops. The working group identified 11 on-farm and on-station demonstrations on seven islands that included several of the priority crops. The existing SAREP Cover Crops Database served as a model and shell for the information collected in this project. OUTCOMES AND IMPACTS Evaluations sent to CES agents, NRCS agents, farmers and agricultural consultants involved in the project netted these observations: Materials developed by the grant project: The Web site, fact sheets and database were ranked high with recommendations to include more color photos, line drawings and Hawaii-specific information, recommendations that have been incorporated. Professional development impacts: Most CES and NRCS personnel said the project better equipped them to respond to farmer and rancher questions and to design sustainable systems. However, many said they would like more training on sustainable agriculture in the tropics. Farmer adoption: Respondents reported that some farmers are trying cover crops as a result of the project. Sunn hemp is the green manure of choice because it produces voluminous biomass and suppresses nematodes. Specifically, they reported that a ginger and a taro farmer are trying sunn hemp; a new farmer is trying sudax/sunn hemp and buckwheat; a vegetable farmer is growing sunn hemp, buckwheat and susbania; and an orchardist is using sudax/sunn hemp. Still, cover crops are rarely used in Hawaii except in the organic farming and Japanese Nature Farming communities. Training methods: All of the training methods used in the project were highly ranked, although the respondents were less positive about, and less aware of, the sustainable ag lending library, the availability of financial support to attend sustainable ag workshops, e-mail communications on sustainable ag topics and sustainable ag videos. Topics for future training: Additional training was requested in soil nematode and pathogen control, organic farming methods, biological control methods, pest and nutrient management in sustainable ag systems and the use of animal waste in sustainable systems. Several requested additional field trips and workshops on sustainable agriculture themes. SPECIFIC RESULTS The project identified 26 species of cover and green manure crops suitable for Hawaii and the Pacific. The species evaluated fit varying rainfall levels and elevations and were selected based on field testing in Hawaii or other Pacific regions with low indications of invasiveness, preference for nematode resistance and availability of seed or plant material. Tropical species are described in depth, while temperate species are described in summary with references or hyperlinks for further information. The basic plant descriptions are available on the Hawaii Sustainable Agriculture Web site, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/SustainableAg/index.asp. The project participants are continuing to improve the site and its search function, add photos and make it more user-friendly. From March 6, 2000 to December 17, 2002, the site recorded 3,345 hits. The Web posting and regular updates are announced to Hawaii agricultural commodity groups, agricultural educators, CES and NRCS staff and members of the Agricultural Development in the American Pacific (ADAP) project, a network and clearinghouse for agricultural information in the Pacific. Institutions participating in ADAP are American Samoa Community College, College of Micronesia, College of the 2003 i EW98-012i 2 Marshall Islands, Palau Community College, Northern Marianas College, University of Guam and University of Hawaii. The demonstration sites have been completed and are summarized below: 1. Managing weeds using cover crops in organically grown papaya (mow and blow mulching system) using two sorghum-sudangrass varieties, STE6 and Pacesetter. Alton Arakaki, CES. Molokai Research and Demonstration Farm. 2. Evaluating the effectiveness of cover crops (French marigold, sunn hemp and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids) on root knot nematode damage using bush beans as an indicator crop. Kali Arce, CES. Molokai Research and Demonstration Farm. 3. Cover crop trials for weed control and nutrient inputs for organic papaya and vegetable production using sunn hemp; rapeseed Dwarf Essex; sesbania; sorghum-sudangrass hybrids Pacesetter and Honey graze BMR; lablab; alfalfa WL7121WF; New Zealand white clover; Dutch white clover; buckwheat; cowpea; lana vetch; Tropic Lalo paspalum; and perennial peanut. Richard Ebesu, CES. James Nishida Jr. Farm on Kauai. 4. Groundcover demonstrations for weed control in papaya using perennial peanut, St. Augustine and carpetgrass. Joe DeFrank, UH-Manoa. Poamoho Research Station on Oahu. 5. Reponses of pineapple and nematodes to Telone EC applied in conventional and buffelgrass living sod production systems. Joe DeFrank, UH-Manoa. Dole Foods Hawaii Whitmore Village on Oahu. 6. Cover crop and green manure trials for vegetable production. Hector Valenzuela, UH-Manoa. Waimanalo Research Station on Oahu. 7. Cover crop trials for orchard crops. Norman Nagata, CES. CES Maui Educational Garden on Maui. 8. Sunn hemp trial for nematode control in edible ginger production. Dwight Sato, CES. Umauma Farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
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