Green Waste Compost Application

1. Green Waste Compost Application Research sponsored by: California Integrated Waste Management Board and California Biomass, Inc. Mohammad Omary, Milt McGiffen, Thomas Chao, and David Crohn

2. Green Waste Compost Application A composted backyard green waste is being applied in different rates to different crops in Coachella Valley. The compost is applied once a year.

3. Crops being investigated:  • Vegetables • Fruits

4. Vegetables:1.Spinach (one farm)2.Broccoli (one farm)3.Cauliflower, (one farm) and4.Chinesebroccoli (one farm)The compost was applied 2-3 weeks prior to planting.

5. Fruits 1.Tangerines (two farms) 2.Lemons (two farms), and 3.Grapes (two farms)

6. Experimental Design Application Rates For Vegetables: 1.Zero tons per acre (Control) 2.Five tons per acre 3.Ten tons per acre 4.Twenty tons per acre, and 5.Fifty tons per acre

7. Application Rates for Fruits 1.Zero tons per acre (Control) 2.Five tons per acre 3.Ten tons per acre, and 4.Twenty tons per acre

8. All treatments are replicated four times

9. Application Methods For Vegetables: The compost was spread and incorporated into the soil. For Fruits: The compost was applied on the surface around the trees. It was not incorporated into the soil.

10. Plot Sizes

11. Parameters Being Investigated: • For Vegetables 1.Total nitrogen in the leaf. The sampling is done once or twice per growing season, depending on the crop. 2.Yield 3.Weeds, and 4. Total organic matter in the soil. The sampling is done before planting and before harvesting.

12. Parameters Being Investigated: • For Fruits 1.Total nitrogen in the leaf 2.Yield 3.Fruit quality (such as acidity and sugar content)

13. Parameters Being Investigated: Weed germination in the compost

14. Green Waste Compost

15. Cauliflower Field

16. Broccoli Field

17. Spinach Field

18. Compost Application in a Vineyard