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Application of Biodegradable Mulches for Improved Red Raspberry Production Field Day

Monday September 11, 2017

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Enfield Farms, 1064 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, WA 98264

More details can also be found here

 

 

 

 

2:00 pm – 2:10 pm Welcome, Introductions, and Purpose of Field Day – Lisa DeVetter and Carol Miles WSU

Brief introduction to the project team participants, how the project was started, and goals and organization of the field day.

2:10 pm – 2:20 pm Biodegradable Plastic Mulch and Suitability for Sustainable Agriculture – Shuresh Ghimire WSU

Overview of how mulches biodegrade and how degradation can influence weed control.

2:20 pm – 2:30 pm Application of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches on Tissue Culture Red Raspberry  – Huan Zhang WSU

Introduction to project and first season results from on-farm trails assessing biodegradable mulch effects on weed control, soil moisture and temperature, plant establishment and growth, and root lesion nematode populations.

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Tour Research Plots – Huan Zang, Lisa DeVetter, Shuresh Ghimire and Carol Miles WSU

Visit research plots and observe how mulches function in a commercial field; observe impacts on weed management and plant growth, as well as mulch performance.

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Break – Refreshments Provided by Washington State University’s Small Fruit Horticulture Program

3:15 pm – 3:30 pm – What is a Flat-Bed Layer – Carol Miles, Shuresh Ghimire, Ed Scheenstra WSU

Description of flat-bed layer, how it lays mulch, and modifications to apply mulch over pre-formed fumigated raspberry beds.

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm – How Plant Tissue Culture Raspberries Using a Planter – Randy Honcoop Randy Honcoop Farms

Overview of planting equipment and considerations when deciding on mechanical ways to plant raspberries in commercial fields with biodegradable mulches.

3:45 pm – 3:55 pm – Questions and Discussion

3:55 pm – 4:00 pm – Conclusions and Survey