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

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

Crops being investigated: Vegetables Fruits

Vegetables: 1. Spinach (one farm) 2. Broccoli (one farm) 3. Cauliflower, (one farm) and 4. Chinese broccoli (one farm) T he compost was applied 2-3 weeks prior to planting.

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

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 Experimental Design

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

All treatments are replicated four times

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.

CropPlot Size Vegetables50 ft x 50 ft Tangerines/Lemons 3 rows/5 trees per row (15 trees per plot) Grapes 3 rows/7 vines per row (21 vines per plot) Plot Sizes

Parameters Being Investigated: 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.  For Vegetables

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

Parameters Being Investigated: Weed germination in the compost

Green Waste Compost

Cauliflower Field

Broccoli Field

Spinach Field

Compost Application in a Vineyard