Project Number: 1935-12000-010-02
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: May 01, 2003
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
We propose to develop, refine, and transfer to farmers a new technology for "on-farm" production of AM fungus inocula.

Approach:
We will produce a formula to predict the optimal dilution ratio of compost with vermiculite for AM fungus inocolum production in raised bed enclosures. A variety of composts, each with different nutrient compositions, will be diluted from 1:2 to 1:49 [v/v] with vermiculite. Inoculum will be produced, quantified, and correlated to the nutrient levels to produce the predictive formula. Inoculum produced using this information will be used to grow vegetable plants for outplanting at the Rodale Institute and at six cooperating farms. Yield performance of the inoculated plants vs controls will be monitored. A field day demonstration will be conducted to transfer this technology to a wider audience of farmers.