Projects

Moringa

Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose tree that serves as important vegetable and oil crop throughout the tropics. M. oleifera is native to the Himalayan foothills of India, Nepal, and Bangledesh. It is has been cultivated extensively as a commercial crop in its native range and parts of Africa, and it would be challenging to find a region in the tropics or subtropics where Moringa is not grown a backyard tree for leaf and pod consumption and other uses. Almost all parts of the tree are used for food, oil, fiber and medicine.

The overall goal of the Moringa working group at the University of Hawaii is to enhance the contribution of Moringa oleifera to food security and grower profitability in the Tropical and sub-Tropical U.S. states, territories and protectorates through germplasm evaluation, improved agronomy and market expansion. Current Moringa research at the University of Hawaii includes germplasm evaluation and investigations of the mycorrhizal dependency of two Moringa species. Investigations aimed at optimizing the agronomy of the crop for leaf, pod and oil production are pending. For more information regarding Moringa research in Hawaii, please contact Dr. Ted Radovich.

Enhancing Phyto-nutrient Content, Yield and Quality of Vegetables with Compost Tea in the Tropics

Compost teas, which are aerated liquid extracts of compost, have been shown in many areas to improve crop yields and plant nutrient quality. Applying compost teas in Pacific island agriculture could potentially have significant benefits, but little is known about the interactions between the teas and various crops under tropical conditions. The purpose of this Research and Education grant is to engage farmers, researchers and industry professionals to address these knowledge gaps. It will quantify the independent and interactive effects of compost quality and vegetable type, under both conventional and organic systems, on yield and nutrient content of root, fruit and leaf vegetables. It will assess the effect of compost tea applications on yield, nutrient content and profitability on commercial vegetable operations on three Hawaii islands. And it will teach producers how to employ compost tea to increase yields and plant nutrients.

Enhancing Soil Quality and Fruit Tree Growth with Arachis pintoi Cover Crops in Hawai’i Orchards

The use of living mulch (ground cover grown with the fruit trees) is an innovative management strategy that can improve soil quality, reduce grower reliance on synthetic inputs and improve the overall sustainability of tropical fruit orchards in the State. Perennial peanut was introduced to Hawai’i almost 20 years ago for use as a living mulch for orchards, and has since been used by growers throught the state as a living mulch in perennial cropping systems. Its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, produce dense cover with little maintenance and protect soil from erosion makes it an appealing groundcover. Overall, there is far too little information available on contribution of perennial peanut to soil physical, chemical and biological quality under Hawaiian conditions.

Worms and Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting uses worms and associated microorganisms to compost kitchen scraps and other organic wastes. Two species are commonly used for vermicomposting in Hawai’i, Eisenia fetida (Tiger or Red worms) and Perionyx excavatus (Malaysian or Indian Blue worms). Materials required for worm composting include a bin (plastic is most common), bedding (shredded paper, cardboard etc.), worms and food. Most organic materials can be composted with worms, but excessive amounts of citrus, onions and other acidic/pungent materials should be avoided. Composting with worms can take longer than other forms of composting, but it is worth the wait. Properly produced vermicompost is an exceptional plant food, rich in plant nutrients and beneficial to plant growth. For more information on vermicomposting in Hawaii, see Vermicompost in Hawaii: Its Production and Use (video).

Student Organic Farm Training (SOFT)