Quantifying the benefits of recycled organics in agricultural cropping systems
Quantifying the benefits of using composted garden organics
Summary
This four year project, aims to quantify the agronomic, soil and environmental benefits of using composted garden organics (CGO) in agricultural cropping systems in NSW. The first phase of the project involved identifying which markets have the greatest potential to consume CGO products. This study identified that vegetable growing areas within the Sydney Basin could benefit from soil conditioners made from CGO, whilst wine producing areas in the Hunter Valley and Central West NSW could be good markets for CGO mulches.
The next phase of the project has involved establishing an experiment at CROA, as well as field trials in vineyards in Central West NSW, to quantify the respective benefits of CGO soil conditioner and mulch on crop productivity and soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics.
The first crop, broccoli, was harvested in August 2005 with the second crop, eggplant planted in November 2005. The third crop, Red Cabbage was planted in May 2006, whilst the fourth crop, capsicum, was planted in December 2006. The fifth and final crop, leek, was planted in June 2007.
Mulch was also applied to vines in Central West NSW in time for the 2005/06 grape growing season. These sites are being monitored for a range of agronomic and soil parameters. Other components of the project have included analysing compost samples from processors, collecting soil samples from vegetable farms within the Sydney Basin and vineyards in the Hunter Valley and Central West, as well as performing pot trials to evaluate compost performance.
Duration
2005-2009
Funding body
Department of Environment and Climate Change
Collaborating organisations
- NSW Department of Primary Industries
- Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Project Leader
Dr Yin Chan
Hawkesbury District Office