Summary of Experimental Results

1
Summary of Experimental Results
Results of the project demonstrated that compost
had a significant impact on soil microbial
activity, organic matter content and nutrient
levels which are indicators of soil health and
disease suppression.
Figs. 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, Tables 1, 2
The addition of compost increased pruning weights
and decreased severity to ozone, Figs. 4, 5
A greenhouse study showed that compost
incorporated into the soil inhibited a fungal
pathogen of grape roots. Fig. 6
Compost applied to the soil surface in the fall
reduced berry infection caused by a fungal
pathogen, Table 3
2
Lake Erie Research Extension Center Vineyard
Increase in microbial activity comparing
compost vs non-compost treated plots
April Assay 2002 1 compost application
Treatments (T/A) 6/01
5/02 1. Concord Yard-H 20
60 2. Concord Yard-L 7
30 3. Concord Animal-H 20
60 4. Concord Animal-L 7
30 5. Concord CK 0 0
Nov. Assay 2002 - 2 compost applications
Treatments (T/A) 11/01 2002 6. Chancellor
Yard 100 0 7. Chancellor CK
0 0 8. Vignole Animal 100
0 9. Vignole CK 0 0
Fig. 1.
3
Manatawny Vineyard
Increase in microbial activity comparing
compost vs non-compost treated plots
Treatments 7/01 6/02
Tons / Acre 1. Yard 20
40 2. Animal 20 40 3. Mushroom 20
40 4. Non-Treated CK 0 0
Fig. 2a.
4
Manatawny Vineyard
Increase in organic matter comparing compost
vs non-compost treated plots

• Soil was collected and analyzed in the fall,
  2003 on 24 vine plots with 4 replicates.
• Samples were analyzed by the PSU Soil
  Analytical Laboratory.

Fig. 2b.
5
Manatawny Vineyard
Table 1. Nutrient levels in compost and
non-treated plots.
Chambourcin
6
Slate Quarry Vineyard
Increase in microbial activity comparing
compost vs non-compost treated plots
Chambourcin Blocks
Nov. Assay 2002 - 2 compost applications
April Assay 2002 1 compost application
Treatments (T/A) 7/01 5/02 1
Yard High 20 60 2. Yard
Low 7 30 3. Animal
High 20 60 4. Animal Low 7 30
Treatments (T/A) 7/01 5/02 5.
Mushroom High 20 60 6. Mushroom Low
7 30 7. Fertilizer CK 0
0 8. Non-Compost CK 0 0
Fig. 3a.
7
Slate Quarry Vineyard
Chambourcin Blocks
Increase in organic matter comparing compost
vs non-compost treated plots
Treatments are 1. Yard, High 2. Yard, Low 3.
Animal, High 4. Animal, Low
Treatments are 5. Mushroom, High 6. Mushroom,
Low 7. Fertilizer, Check 8. Non Compost, Check
Fig. 3b.
8
Slate Quarry Vineyard
Table 2. Nutrient levels in compost and
non-treated plots, Chambourcin Blocks
 
 
 
 
 
Soil Chemical Properties
Soil Macro Nutrients, lb/A
9
Slate Quarry Vineyard
Effects of compost in pruning weights (lbs) of
Chambourcin in 2002 and 2003.
Increase Pruning 2002 2003
1. 29 88 2. 102 85
3. 44 88 4. 56 172
5. 75 61 6. 19 72 7.
14 16 8. 0 0
The increase in pruning was calculated from
mean weight (lbs) of 3 vines / rep
Fig. 4.
10
Manatawny Vineyard
Effects of compost in ozone injury on Chambourcin
Grape
Severity of Ozone Injury
Severity of ozone injury was measured from 9
leaves of 5 shoots from each vine/treatment on 24
vine plots with 4 replicates in September 2003.
Rating was from 0 (no symptoms) to 2 (severe).
Fig. 5.
11
Fig. 6. Population of Cylindrocarpon destructans
in compost amended soiless mix
C. destructans ground rye inoculum was inoculated
into 0, 10, 25, and 50 composted animal manure
/ pot
12
Lake Erie Research Extension Center Vineyard
Table 3. Latent Botrytis infection at fruit set,
2002
Vignole grape
 
Treatments Berries with latent Botrytis
infection fruit set 100 tons/A, CM
compost 1.67 No compost
5.0
CM animal manure compost
Infection of individual berries was significantly
less in composted versus non composted vines.
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These results showed that the use of
compost played an important role in improving
soil health, vine health and suppressing disease.
Before reliable vineyard recommendations
regarding the use of compost to suppress disease
can be made, several more seasons of evaluation
and research are needed.
14
 
For a more detailed summary of this SARE report,
please see the 35 page PDF file