Evaluating Organic Inputs for Improving Soil Health in Blueberry Systems

This webinar took place on April 12, 2023. The recording will be here within a week of that date!

Resources from the webinar:

  • Weed mat used in the experiment: Planting beds were covered with a 2.1mm-thick layer of woven polypropylene landscape fabric (Weed Barrier 20 Year, DeWitt, Sikeston, MO) for weed suppression.
  • Sulfur burner used in the experiment: It cost $17 k, and was a small version up to 5 acres (CTC waterworks sulfur burner, Haley Manufacturing, Yakima, WA) equipped with a multistage pump (Goulds e-SV, Xylem, Washington, DC) and a nominal flow rate of 34 Lpm.
  • Information about compost in blueberry production https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/berries/compost-blueberry-plants-testing-tips

About the Webinar

In this webinar, Shikha Singh of Oregon State University will discuss the suitability of different locally available organic materials to improve the quality of sandy and calcareous soils of eastern Oregon and Washington and improve organic blueberry production. More specifically, we are looking at impacts of different organic amendments on physical, chemical, and biological health of soils, which are instrumental to sustainably manage soil resources to promote future cultivation. Results from this study will not only help in determining best management practices and optimal amendments for improving soil health but also increase resource use efficiency by utilizing the locally available waste materials which will help foster grower profitability.

About the Presenter

Shikha Singh is originally from India and currently working as a postdoctoral scholar at Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She is working on investigating the hydrological, microbiological, and geochemical processes influenced by various soil organic amendments in northern highbush blueberry systems and evaluating the various amendments for overall soil health.

Funding for this webinar was provided by the USDA NIFA ORG program.

Published March 3, 2023

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.