Research Activities
Compost Tea
Research and Education Grant: SW07-073, Enhancing Phyto-Nutrient Content, Yield and Quality of Vegetables with Compost Tea in the Tropics, Theodore Radovich, principal investigator, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science, University of Hawaii, 3190 Maile Way, St. John 102, Honolulu, HI 96822, (808) 956-8351, Theodore@hawaii.edu. Western SARE funding: $162,500
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.
Perennial Peanut
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. This project will: (1) Determine the relationship between soil quality and perennial peanut density at two commercial fruit tree orchards on O’ahu, and (2) Compare the cost of initial propagule type and density with differences in rate of canopy establishment, soil nutrient content and early growth of three tropical fruit species
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.