UBC field trials: Balancing nitrogen and phosphorus on organic vegetable farms

In this episode we discuss on-farm research trials that compared different combinations of organic amendments (composts and organic fertilizer) and their impact to crop yield, soil carbon, input costs, and residual soil nutrients. Amy Norgaard, a former Master of Soil Science student with the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at UBC, discusses the research process and key findings. We also hear what it’s like to participate in on-farm research like this from one of the farmers involved. Our conversation includes some of the challenges growers face managing soil nutrients for multiple outcomes (i.e. maximizing yields and minimizing environmental impacts) and some of the region-specific tradeoffs associated with different options.

A recording of a presentation of this research (and more!) and the final project reports referenced in this episode can be found here.

This episode also discussed the BC nutrient management calculator and manure nutrient calculator.

Project Funding Acknowledgement

Funding for the research in this project has been provided in part by Organic Science Cluster 3 under the AgriScience program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Mitacs Career Connect.

Podcast Funding Acknowledgment

Funding for this podcast has been provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.