Pictures of Current Projects

Spring Experiments #1 - 2005

A number of quick trials with various applications of vermicast tea were conducted prior to full scale experiments.

Pictures include :  Lettuce transplants started in a test organic potting soil, Cilantro from seed in organic potting soil , Lobelia transplanted into an organic potting soil with 10% amendment, Blueberry transplant into soil with  20% amendment vs. a commercial top soil, Mustard in yard top soil with microbial spray only, Lemon seeds treated pre-plant with microbial fermentation broth and Mums in 20% amendment.

Seedling Growth in Experimental Potting Mix-Trial 1

An initial trial was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of microbial populations found in vermicast on plant growth.  Mixed population microbial cultures were expanded and introduced into a mixture of organic substrates designed to maximize the survival of the microbial species.  In the first experimental treatment, the resulting material was used to supplement Organic Cornell Mix, a widely reported potting medium.  Additionally, a trial combining the use of the modified potting mix with post emergent foliar spraying of the plants was conducted.  All tests were conducted with 6 replicates each with one lettuce seed planted per replicate.  Watering data is graphed for the average value of all replicates.

Pictures show a time course of plant growth over the first 30 days as well as a graph showing the positive effects of the treatment on the relative moisture in the potting mix.

Flowering in Experimental Potting Mix- Trial 1

Further evaluation of the potting mixture used above was conducted with a pansies in order to evaluate the effect, if any, that the test mixture had on flowering.  The experiment was conducted in triplicate using nursery grown bedding plants of equal size.  Pictures were taken 7 weeks post transplant.  Watering data is presented as an average of the replicates.

Vermicast Tea and Water Retention-Trial 1

While the majority of the water retention effect in the potting soil trails was due to the organic substrates used in addition to the vermicast tea, it was suspected that the tea itself had a measurable effect.  Triplicate 3 gallon  pots with 4 plantings each of mustard green were prepared with organic Cornell mix.  One triplicate set was sprayed with vermicast tea at planting and every 2 weeks there after.  Over the test period, pots sprayed with vermicast tea showed 134% of the moisture levels in the control pots.  Graphs and Raw Data may be seen here.  Growth data for this trail will be presented when available.

Experiments in Progress

Seedling Growth in the absence of added organic materials

Repeat Seedling Growth Trail with 5 plant species

Check Back Soon for Additional Results

General Interest Pictures

• Vermiculture - Modular, stacked worm bins are used for testing various growth and production strategies.  The modular system allows for experimentation on growth and production strategies, including manipulation of the the microbial contents of the layers.  Recently, we have been examining the effect of various conditions effecting hatchling production with Lumbrius terrestris and Aporrectodea caliginosa.
• Microbial Fermentation - Model bioreactor for the production of active microbial cultures used in plant growth studies.  Growth studies using a variety of low cost nutrient solutions have been conducted and several useful formulations have been developed.

• Plant Growth Effects- A variety of experiments are being conducted testing the effects of various microbial mixes and soil amendments on plant growth.

• Water Retention Effects-Several potting mixes with enhanced water retention capabilities have been formulated.