Compost Extract Seed Trial

Video Corrections: Toward the end of the video, I said we needed to make better “Vermi” compost but meant “Johnson Su”. I also said the “Anaerobic” trays did better but it was the “Aerobic” trays that had better emergence and plant health.

1. Applied four different types of extract to 72-cell seed trays in our greenhouse. Each extract was applied to a tray of soybeans and a tray of corn. The trays were filled with organic soil that was mixed to create a homogeneous mix.

2. Since it is cold and there are fewer hours of sunlight, we used supplemental lighting from 1000 watts halogen lamps and used fans to prevent spindly/leggy plants.

3. The trays were marked A-B-C-D to indicate the compost used to make the extract.
A) Aerated Static Pile compost
B) Gerry Gillespie compost
C) Johnson Su compost
D) Vermi compost.

4. The question we were trying to answer was whether we needed to go through the time and effort to use Johnson Su (BEAM) compost or whether other easier to make composts would work as well.

5. About 1/4 of the cells at one end of each tray were not treated.

6. Try to use well water or water from a creek or pond because it’s microbiologically active and doesn’t have chemicals like municipal water or excess minerals like well water.

7. Given the concentration of extract we mixed up, we applied one drop of extract to the seed after placing them into the cell and before covering. This was an equivalent of 2 pounds of compost per acre.

8. We made the extract by stirring about a 8 ounces cup of compost into water 2.5 gallons of water and then filtered it through an 80 mesh screen. We then added 3 cups of additional water to each cup of extract and dripped that solution onto the seeds.

9. We didn’t know what to conclude both in terms of emergence and the initial growth. This because even though the Aerated Static Pile compost had better emergence and seemingly healthier plants, this was t..