Wenatchee LTARE Site
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
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.
