Central Washington Tree Fruit Systems LTARE Site

a map with the location of the Wenatchee LTARE

Key Objectives

Establish best practices and standard operating procedures for optimal soil health.
Reduce variability in orchards with organic matter amendments or other soil health building practices.
Reduce bitter pit and other disorders related to nutrient uptake and water/plant stress.
Establish soil health practices which conserve water and buffer environmental stress in the face of climate change.
Identify long-term sustainable approaches to managing soil borne disease and nematodes.

Cropping System and Region

Central Washington Tree Fruit Systems

Location

WSU - Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center - Sunrise Farm in Wenatchee, Washington.

Climate and Soil Type

Annual high temperature: 63 F

Annual low temperature: 42 F

Average annual precipitation: 9 in

Primary soil type: Pogue fine sandy loam

Established

2023

Area

Three trials across 7.5 acres

Leaders

Tianna DuPont - Tree Fruit Extension Specialist

Lee Kalcsits - Tree Fruit Physiologist

Tracy Somera - Plant Pathologist

Chad Kruger - TFREC Director

Devin Rippner - Soil Scientist

Jessica Waite - Geneticist

Cameron Burt - Orchard Manager

Collaborators

Tom Forge - Nematologist

Read Wenatchee LTARE One-pager (PDF)

Read the in-field signs at this LTARE site (PDF)

Trial 1: Investigating Reduced Disturbance and Increased Organic Matter Additions

Standard

In the standard treatment, typical synthetic nutrients and herbicides are applied.

Mulch Additions

This treatment includes all typical synthetic nutrients and herbicides, but mulch is added every three years.

Integrated Organic

This integrated treatment includes a tree row cover crop of forage peas, a pre-plant compost application, and alleyway cover and tree prunings mowed under the trees.

High Carbon Additions

This treatment includes typical synthetic nutrient and herbicide applications, pre-plant compost, and alleyway cover and tree prunings mowed under the trees.