Providing science-based information to serve Hawaii's Farming Community
|
|
|
|
|
September | October | November 2009
|
|
Promoting plant growth with Compost Teas
By Ted Radovich, Archana Pant, Nguyen Hue, Jari Sugano, and Norman Arancon
Evidence indicates that compost extracts, often referred to as compost tea, can improve plant production by decreasing disease incidence, improving the plant’s nutritional status, and generally promoting growth. Several producers and landscape managers in Hawaii use compost tea. This article summarizes their current practices for compost tea use and presents some preliminary conclusions and recommendations, based on recent research.
READ the full article here.
FMI: Ted Radovich, Email: theodore@hawaii.edu; Archana Pant, Email: apant@hawaii.edu; Nguyen Hue, Email: nvhue@hawaii.edu; Jari Sugano, Email: suganoj@ctahr.hawaii.edu, Norman Arancon, Email: normanq@hawaii.edu
|
|
Growing Your Business
Understanding Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship often brings to mind a business and making money. An entrepreneur sees an opportunity, figures out a way to acquire the needed resources, and acts to turn the opportunity into wealth. The wealth can be measured in cultural, social, environmental or financial terms. This article explains how you can become more entrepreneurial.
READ the full article here.
|
|
|
Sustainable & Organic Research &
Outreach News
News from Hawai'i's Researchers and Extension
|
|
|
Nitrogen Synchronization from Organic Manure Applications as measured from Soil Solution and SPAD Readings for growing sweet corn
Amjad Ahmad, Email: alobady@hawaii.edu, Ali Fares, Email: afares@hawaii.edu, and N. V. Hue, Email: nvhue@hawaii.edu
This article investigates whether relative chlorophyll content (RCC) can be used to identify the relationship between N released by organic manures and N needs by sweet corn, so that organic producers can increase the efficiency of fertilization. The NO3–N concentration within and below the root zone and RCC of the sweet corn were evaluated for chicken and dairy manures at various application rates and frequencies. The significant results indicated that NO3–N concentration within and below the root zone and the plant leaf RCC were highest for the chicken manure treatments followed by the dairy manure treatments, relative to the control treatment. The optimal synchronization period likely occurred between 60 to 75 days after manure application or 30 to 45 days after seeding.
READ the full article here.
|
|
Effect of Irrigation Regime on Yield and Quality of Three Varieties of Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Jensen Uyeda, Email: juyeda@hawaii.edu, Ted Radovich, Email: Theodore@hawaii.edu, Jari Sugano, Email: suganoj@ctahr.hawaii.edu, Ali Fares, Email: afares@hawaii.edu, and Robert Paull, Email: paull@hawaii.edu
The experiment described in this article examines the relationships between five irrigation drip rates based on reference evapotranspiration (ET0) replaced, and the yield and quality of three commercial taro varieties: ‘Bun long’, ‘Lehua’, and ‘Paʻakala.’ The results indicate that replacing 150% ET0 through irrigation can be sufficient to maximize the yield for ‘Bun long’ and ‘Pa’akala.’ However, replacing irrigation up to 250% ET0 to a lowland variety such as ‘Lehua’ did not result in yields comparable to flooded systems. Irrigation had no significant effect on any of the quality factors. In addition, modeling taro production in order to maximize water use efficiency has potential because percent ET0 replaced can be used to predict corm weight.
READ the full article here.
|
|
Root growth of sweet corn as a function of organic manure applications to a Mollisol (Waimanalo soil) of Oʻahu, Hawaii
Amjad Ahmad, Email: alobady@hawaii.edu, N. V. Hue, nvhue@hawaii.edu, and Ali Fares, Email: afares@hawaii.edu
This article present the results of research done to examine the effects of chicken and dairy manures at various application rates and frequencies on the root density, mean root weight, percentage of roots at 0-15 cm and 16-30 cm depths, and total roots per plant for sweet corn. The results indicate that a significant increase in sweet corn root growth occurred in the top 15 cm of soil for organic amendments as compared to the control treatment. These results can assist producers in developing more efficient irrigation and fertilization strategies.
READ the full article here.
|
|
|
Pigeon peas: A Multipurpose Crop for Hawaii
Hector Valenzuela, Email: hector@hawaii.edu
Throughout the tropics, pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) are used for food, animal feed, firewood, medicine, fencing, roofing, shade, and basket making. Today, pigeon peas are used in Hawaii primarily as a cover, alley crop, and in home-gardens. The plant is an excellent source of organic nitrogen, tolerates low fertility soils and drought conditions, serves as a windbreak and as a shade source. This article details the ecological services that are provided by pigeon peas in order to encourage their use in agroforestry systems, on the farm, and in home gardens.
READ the full article here.
|
|
|
Message from Colehour Bondera, NOSB Board Member
Colehour Bondera , Email: colemel@efn.org
Colehour Bondera of Honaunau, Hawaii has been appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) for a five-year term. Mr. Bondera currently serves on the Crops Committee and the Livestock Committee. This article gives more information about how to work with the first Hawaii resident to serve on the NOSB to make your voice heard.
READ the full article here.
For more information about CTAHR's research, see our monthly CTAHR Research News Magazine.
|
|
|
The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. This new section, Organic Update, will summarize information from The NOP Organic Insider, which informs the organic community on a wide range of NOP functions including organic standards, accreditation and international activities, compliance and enforcement, the National Organic Standards Board, training events, and the Cost Share program.
READ the full article here.
To subscribe directly to the NOP Organic Insider: http://bit.ly/NOPOrganicInsiderRegistration
|
|
Publications & Programs
for sustainable and organic production systems
|
|
FMI/FYI
Downy Mildew on sweet basil: UH CTAHR’s Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC) recently confirmed Downy Mildew on sweet basil on Oahu. Only 9 states in US have this pathogen.
The Kiplinger Agriculture Letter: Many things are happening on the agricultural scene that may affect activities in Pacific islands, including Hawaii. This brief highlights potentially useful information from a well-respected source entitled The Kiplinger Agriculture Letter.
New Case Study Series Targets Beginning Farmers in Sustainable Agriculture: The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) recently launched an online series of case studies that provide beginning and transitioning farmers with a unique virtual resource. The “Profiles in Sustainable Agriculture” project uses photos, videos, and narratives to integrate personal stories of profiled farmers with detailed information on their practices. The “Profiles in Sustainable Agriculture” project is located at http://http://sustagprofiles.info.info.
The Beef Initiative Group on Facebook! If you have a Facebook account, simply search for "Beef Initiative Group - University of Hawaii" and "Like" our page to receive research updates, CTAHR publication releases, workshop announcements, pictures, videos, and more on beef production in Hawaii from this cross-disciplinary team.
|
|
Western Region Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (WSARE)
Since 1988, the WSARE program has been supporting agricultural profitability, environmental integrity and community strength through grants that enable cutting-edge research and education to open windows on sustainability across the West, including Hawaii. The goals of WSARE are:
- Promote good stewardship of our natural resources.
- Enhance the quality of life of farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities.
- Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems.
- Promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversification.
- Examine the regional, economic, social and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and systems.
For more information, please see: https://wsare.usu.edu/ or contact Hawaii WSARE coordinator Dr. Ted Radovich at theodore@hawaii.edu.
|
|
|
This e-publication has been prepared by CTAHR research scientists and extension staff to deliver science-based information about sustainable and organic production systems to serve Hawaii's farming community.
- To continue receiving this newsletter, please confirm your interest by subscribing or updating your profile/email address.
- If this publication has been valuable, please forward it to others
- Send in your suggestions for what you want to read about in our articles
- Tell us about your research needs.
Mahalo nui loa,
Eric Collier, Education Specialist and Managing Editor
Dr. Linda Cox and Dr. Ted Radovich
Jody Smith, e-Extension Manager
Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
The University of Hawai‘i is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Jody Smith | Web Manager | smithjos@hawaii.edu
Copyright ©2013 University of Hawai‘i - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Updated 6 January, 2013
|
|
|
|
|