181: Can Applying Compost Reduce Water Use?

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The health of a grapevine starts at ground level – literally in the soil. The California Department of Food and Agriculture is helping farmers improve the quality of their soils through the Healthy Soils Initiative.</span> Taylor Jones, Ph.D., Director of Viticulture at Star Lane and Dierberg Vineyards used his funding as an opportunity to study the effects of compost. After completing two three-year trials in six different soil types in two American Viticulture Areas, Taylor found that compost additions significantly increased organic matter, <span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Reduced Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium usage by 35 percent, and decreased water use dramatically.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Listen in to hear the only downside to increasing the use of compost on your vineyard.</p> <h2>References:</h2> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/soil-conservation-and-water-quality.php?id=968"> 149: Fair Market Trade: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Grapevines</a></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/soil-conservation-and-water-quality.php?id=970"> 151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health</a></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/soil-conservation-and-water-quality.php?id=996"> 163: Onsite Compost Production Using Vineyard Waste</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/soil-conservation-and-water-quality.php?id=1000"> 165: Become a Microbe Farmer: Make Compost</a> <span style= "mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/soil-conservation-and-water-quality.php?id=1005"> 167: Use Biochar to Combat Climate Change</a></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "