College - Author 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Department - Author 1

Wine and Viticulture

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Wine and Viticulture

Date

12-2014

Primary Advisor

Michael Costello

Abstract/Summary

Vermi-products are byproducts produced from earthworms digesting and decomposing a natural material into another. Liquid teas or extracts of vermi-products are another form of leachate material found in the completed compost bin. These products are not high in essential plant macronutrients, have an average neutral pH (around 7.0), and are known for living microbial population. Grapevine propagations cut from the Trestle Vineyard at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo were used to observe root growth development using steer compost, vermicompost, and vermi-extract. Propagations used were dormant Pinot Noir clone 777. Compost subsamples tested 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% by volume compost: soil media. California Polytechnic State University provided steer compost from on-campus animals and operations. Subsamples tested steer compost at volumes of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% by volume steer compost: soil media. Vermivision, Inc. (San Diego, CA) supplied both the compost and extract for this study. Vermicompost subsamples tested 5%, 10%, 20%, and 40% by volume weight of vermicompost: weight of soil media. Vermi-extract was applied weekly at rates of 2.5mL, 5mL, 10mL, and 20mL. After propagations were callused, rooted, and subdivided, treatments were left for eight weeks. The variable measured in these treatments was root growth and development during this period. Data analysis was completed by ANOVA, using the Tukey HSD test for mean separation, with p

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