Title: Microirrigation for Sustainable Vegetable Production in the US Virgin Islands Principal Investigator: Dr. Dilip Nandwani Research Assistant Professor-Horticulture, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill VI 00851 Phone 340-692-4086 Fax: 340-692-4035 Email: [email protected] Co-PI/Cooperator: Dr. Craig Stanley Associate Director and Professor, Soil and Water Science Gulf Coast Research and Education Center 14625 C.R. 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 Phone: 813- 633-4117 Fax: 813- 634-0001 Email: [email protected] Cooperator: Dale Browne Sejah farm, P.O. Box 3443 Kingshill, USVI 00851-2370 Email: [email protected] Phone: (340)-773-3276 (farm) Fax: (304) 773-3276

Abstract Vegetables are important commercial crops for producers within the USVI and are grown for fresh market. The 2007 Census of agriculture for the US Virgin Islands indicates that production has decreased in many vegetables such as tomato, eggplant, okra, cabbage, squash, lettuce etc. since 2002. Fresh water resources, high cost of irrigation water, labor and management are major challenges in vegetable production. Though, islands are surrounded by water, the energy required to desalinate large quantities of water for farming purposes is truly substantial. The main water delivery system for crops grown for both research at the University of the Virgin Islands and by many U.S. Virgin Islands farmers is through drip irrigation. The use of drip irrigation is a great asset when it comes time for the application of fertilizers. Unlike the common local application of granular fertilizer, which is spread around the field or around the base of a sizeable plant, drip irrigation allows for the efficiency of applying water soluble fertilizers within inches of a relatively newly planted seedling and throughout the life of the plant. This allows for remediating specific nutrient deficiencies that can occur in some of our local high pH calcareous soils. Chemigation through drip irrigation 1

delivers pesticides in the root zone of the plants. The precision obtained through drip application is safer, more accurate and uses far less material due to the accuracy. Using pesticides such as DuPont Coragen, Venom other commercial pesticides and soluble fertilizers are more efficient use of drip irrigation which saves in labor costs. This project proposes to use microirrigation as a highly efficient means of applying water and nutrients for high value vegetables. The water applied by drip irrigation can be scheduled efficiently by use of pan evaporation or tensiometers. Research information on irrigation requirements and management of vegetables is limited. Although some work on hot peppers with respect to microirrigation management is available, most recent information on microirrigation has been generated from experiments on the more commonly grown bell pepper. The objectives of the project are to develop and evaluate improved water management practices using microirrigation on the yield and growth of selected vegetables. It is expected that results of this project will assist farmers to improve their income by enhancing production of quality vegetables and saving costs in irrigation water. This baseline project will lay a foundation to adapt methods to improve cultivation of other economically important vegetables in the USVI using microirrigation techniques. Information obtained in this study will be released to the public through the Cooperative Extension Service personnel for use by local growers. Statement of State water problem The main water delivery system for crops grown for both research at the University of the Virgin Islands and by many of the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands farmers is through drip irrigation. During this time there is no water shortage problem; however the US Virgin Islands experiences drought from January through March, normal dry season. Through the use of drip irrigation we have been able to conserve fresh water which is truly a valuable resource. Energy required and associated costs to desalinate large quantities of water for farming purposes is truly substantial. Through the use of drip irrigation, researchers and farmers alike have been able to utilize above ground water storage tanks as well as water catchment ponds to store large quantities of rain water in the rainy season. The use of drip irrigation is a great asset when it comes time for the application of fertilizers. Unlike the common local application of granular fertilizer, which is spread around the field or around the base of a sizeable plant, drip irrigation affords the efficiency of applying water soluble fertilizers within inches of a relatively newly planted seedling and throughout the life of the plant. This allows for remediating specific nutrient deficiencies that can occur in local high pH calcareous soils. Chemigation through drip irrigation delivers pesticides in the root zone of the plants. The precision obtained through drip application is safer, more accurate and uses far less material due to the accuracy. Using pesticides such as DuPont Coragen, Venom other commercial pesticides and soluble fertilizers are more efficient use of drip irrigation which saves in labor costs. Statement of results or benefits A Program for Agricultural Diversification in the OECS (Organization of East Caribbean States) report (Anon. 1998) identified a number of solutions to constraints of vegetable production in the region. These included water application systems, rates and grades of fertilizer application, planting density and disease control. There is a very definite need to conduct research on these and other production areas in the Virgin Islands. This will provide 2

empirical data to meet the increasing demand for information and recommendations from the growing number of farmers who are interested in producing vegetables. Water is a critical resource for both human survival and agricultural production in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Due to low and often erratic rainfall, water is the most limiting factor affecting crop production. Conflicts for water use are increasing, because of rising populations and economic development. Good quality ground water is limited and there are great demands for this water particularly for domestic purposes. Ground water quality has deteriorated in all three principal aquifers of the U.S. Virgin Islands principally from excessive withdrawals (Wanda L MolinaRivera, 1998). The quality and availability of water resources will have a definite effect on crop choices. The use of water for irrigation can be justified from an economic standpoint, only if it is used efficiently on high value crops. Most small farmers and home gardeners use inefficient methods that involve high water use when applying water to their crops. The cost and availability of water have caused other farmers to ignore irrigation altogether and operate under rain-fed conditions. This is an extremely risky method of growing crops and crop failure is a common occurrence. Rainfall distribution is not uniform in the US Virgin Islands and vegetables generally respond to supplemental applications of water (Navarro, 1987). The potential of using microirrigation technology in the production of vegetables should provide benefits to farmers. This includes higher yields and quality fruits, and efficient use of irrigation water. Properly scheduled microirrigation systems will result in increased water use efficiency. Less water will be required to increase the production and quality of selected vegetables. Growers with limited water resources will have sufficient water to raise good quality crops. This will be accomplished by simply changing their water application methods to microirrigation technology. The high cost of potable water has often been cited by growers as a reason for operating under rain-fed conditions. The water cost efficiency data generated by this research will demonstrate to farmers the feasibility of using other water sources is unavailable. This project is consistent with the goals and objectives established under the WRRI goals and important to USVI farming community to provide research by developing and improving the production performance and quality through sustainable water use in vegetables with better cultural management techniques. Nature, scope, and objectives of the project, including a timeline of activities Objectives The objectives of the experiments will be to: a) b) c)

Develop and evaluate improved water management practices using microirrigation in selected vegetables. Evaluate the effect of varying rates of irrigation on the yield and growth of selected vegetables. Determine the minimum water requirements for selected vegetables.

Time Table: Project Timeline: One Year 3

Start Date: March 1, 2012 End date: February 28, 2013 1. Establish transplants in greenhouse (Spring 2012) 2. Initiate germplasm evaluation using local cultivars as to their growth, characteristics, pest and disease, and yield (Spring-Summer 2012). 3. Conduct microirrigation studies to determine water requirement using the soil moisture content method-tensiometers (Summer-Fall 2012) 4. Compile and analyze data and write a progress report and publications (Spring 2013). Methods, procedure and facilities Experiments will be conducted primarily in field plots at the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station and at the Sejah farm, Kingshill. Initial trials will determine the effect of varying irrigation rates, fertilizer application rates and water requirements on the production, growth and yield of the selected vegetables. Seeds will be planted in ‘seedling trays’ containing ‘Pro Mix’ potting mix. Seedlings will be transplanted in the field approximately 30 days after germination. Plots will consist of three rows spaced 1.2 m apart, with 12 plants per row spaced at 0.6m along the row (except for the plant density trials which will have variable spacing). The experimental design will be randomized complete blocks, with 3 replications. The treatments will be based on fertilizer application rates, planting densities and irrigation scheduling. The irrigation system will consist of 1.27mm poly-hose as sub-mains and New Hardie Tape with orifices spaced 0.6m apart as laterals. Water meters will be used to monitor the quantity of water applied for each treatment in the microirrigation studies. The weather station at the University of the Virgin IslandsAgricultural Experiment Station will be used to provide the necessary meteorological data for irrigation scheduling. Data will be collected on rainfall, irrigation water used, yield, and other plant characteristics. Vegetables can produce continuously over long periods of time, therefore this will provide the opportunity to monitor water use during the wet and dry seasons. Microirrigation: Field experiment on microirrigation will be conducted at the UVI-AES horticulture plots in St. Croix. Water will be applied to maintain soil moisture levels equivalent to 20, 40, 60 kPa. Tensiometers will be placed at a depth of 15 cm, in the middle rows of plots, to monitor soil moisture in the plant root-zone. The irrigation system will be monitored daily and turned on when tensiometer readings exceed the specified level for each treatment. Plant water use in relation to pan evaporation will be evaluated. Water will be applied to the plants based upon percentage of the amount of water evaporated from the free surface of a U.S. Weather Service Class A pan, located at the crop production site. Treatments will be the application of water in amounts equivalent to 40, 60, and 80 percent of pan evaporation. In subsequent trials mulches will be evaluated in combination with irrigation regimes to determine their effect in further reducing the optimum crop water requirement. At the Sejah farm, the irrigation application amounts will be based on two different criteria: 1) open pan evaporation, and 2) soil moisture content as indicated by the tensiometers placed in plot areas. Three treatments would use pan evaporation to determine irrigation 4

amounts (1.0, 0.75, and 0.5 times the pan evaporation for a given period) and three treatments will use soil tensiometers low target points of 5, 10, and 15 cm to control when irrigation would occur. The differences between locations (UVI-AES and Sejah farm) with respect to target points are necessary due to differences in soil types and hydraulic characteristics. The water amounts applied with the tensiometer-controlled treatments would be that needed to bring the soil moisture in the plot are to field capacity. All treatments will be fertigated at recommended rates. A randomized complete block design with four replications will be used. Yield (numbers and total weight) and marketable quality of selected vegetables will be determined from multiple harvests throughout the growing season. The expected results from these studies will give vegetables yield response with respect to irrigation amounts and method of determination of amounts and would be useful to producers for planning purposes and water management of the crops. All data will be analyzed using the analysis of variance and/or general linear models to determine significance differences among treatments. A Statistical Analysis System (SAS) program will be used for all data analysis. Related research: Microirrigation is a highly efficient means of applying water and nutrients for high value vegetables. The water applied by drip irrigation can be scheduled efficiently by use of pan evaporation or tensiometers (Lamm and Camp, 2007). Research information on irrigation requirements and management of vegetables is limited. However, some work with respect to microirrigation is available from experiments on the more commonly grown vegetables (Charles et.al., 1996; Greg et. al., 2008, Robert et.al., 2007). There are a number of publications by various Caribbean Ministries of Agriculture and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) which makes reference to the production guidelines and profiles of the West Indian hot pepper. None of these research publications dealt specifically with irrigation or crop water use. Microirrigation research conducted in the U.S. Virgin Islands with vegetable indicated that the practice was very beneficial to production (Locascio et al., 1992; Navarro and Newman, 1989; Palada et al., 1995). Microirrigation improved water use efficiency and increased yield and economic returns for vegetable crops. Sweet corn, tomato, and cucumber had yield increases of 26, 24, and 23 %, respectively (Palada et al., 1995). Microirrigation has also been found to improve the production of culinary herbs in the Virgin Islands (Palada et al., 1993). During the dry season both fruit yield and fruit weight were sharply reduced for C. chinense grown in Brazil. Flower and young fruit drop also occurred when plants encountered water stress (Cheng, 1989; Christian et.al., 2006). The crops are generally believed to be tolerant to drought conditions because of their deep well developed root system. Ganpat (1973) reported that in Trinidad irrigation is necessary for crop production in hot peppers, particularly during dry season. Moisture stress was reported to result in severe fruit drop. Byer and co-workers (Byer et al., 1992) reported that, in Barbados, marketable yields in excess of 36,00kg/ha can be achieved with use of drip water irrigation in hot peppers. Research done on selected vegetables, in other tropical regions, can provide some general indications regarding the water requirement but specific research is necessary to provide definitive answers. For example, studies on drip irrigation levels would provide 5

answers to questions like what is the minimum water requirement that will result in optimum yield and high fruit quality including pungency in selected vegetables. References: 1. Byer M., Simpson C.O. and H. A. Williams 1992. Hot pepper production in Barbados. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Barbados. P. 3 2. Charles B., Christopher L., and M. Murata. 1996. Simple microirrigation techniques for improving irrigation efficiency on vegetable gardens. Agricultural Water Management Vol. 32 (1), 37-48 3. Cheng, S.S. 1989. The use of Capsicum chinense as sweet pepper cultivars and sources for gene transfer. In: Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center. Tomato and Pepper production in the tropics. AVRDC, Shanhua, Tainan. P 55-62 4. Christian G. II, Katinka W., Srun S., Mong V., E. C. Yarith, 2006. Postharvest loss in the supply chain for vegetables –The case of tomato, Yardlong Bean, Cucumber and Chinese Kale in Cambodia. AVRDC Working Paper 16, AVRDC, Shanhua, Tainan. P 1-52. 5. Ganpat R. 1973. Cultivation of hot peppers. Crop Bulletin #21. Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago. 6. Greg I. J., Katinka W. and Mei-huey Wu. 2008. The vegetable industry in tropical Asia: India, An overview of production and trade. Explorations #1, AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Tainan, p 1-69 7. Lamm F.R, and C.R Camp. 2007. Subsurface drip irrigation. In: Microirrigation for Crop Production, 473-551. F. R. Lamm, J. E. Ayars, and F. S. Nakayama (eds). New York, N.Y.: Elsevier. 8. Locascio, S.J., Clark G.A., Csizinszky A.A., Stanley C.D., Olson S.M., Rhods F., Smajstrla A.G., Vellidis G., Edling R.D., Hanna H.Y., Goyal M.G., Crossman S.M.A and A.A. Navarro. 1992. Water and nutrient requirements for drip irrigated vegetables in humid regions. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 363 p. 17 9. Navarro A.A. 1987. Determination of the minimum irrigation requirements of tomatoes. Virgin Islands perspective. 2: 24-27. 10. Navarro A.A. and J. Newman. 1989. Two drip irrigation rates and two emitters on tomato production. J. Agric. Uni. Puerto Rico 73: 23-29 11. Palada, M.C., Crossman S.M.A and C.D. Collingwood. 1993. Irrigation water use and yield of thyme in the Virgin Islands. Proceedings of the Caribbean Food Crops Society, Fort de France, Martinique. 29: 522-530 12. Palada, M.C, Crossman S.M.A and C.D. Collingwood. 1995. Improving vegetable production using microirrgation in the Virgin Islands. Pp. 502-509. In: F. Lamm (ed.) Microirrigation in the changing world. Conserving water resources/preserving the environment. Proc. 5th Int’l Microirrigation Congress. Orlando, Florida, ASAE 4-95 13. Robert G. E., I-Pai Wu, and A. G. Smajstrala. 2007. Micoirrigation systems. In: Design and Operation of Farm Irrigation Systems. Glenn J. Hoffman, Robert G. Evans, Marvin Eli Jensen and Derrel L. Martin (eds.) American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, p 632-683

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Training potential: The project will involve one undergraduate or graduate student, who wishes to receive training in research utilizing the microirrigation for vegetable production in the USVI. Investigator’s qualifications: Principal Investigator: Dilip Nandwani, Ph.D. Education: 1991: Ph. D (Botany), University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India 1987: M. Sc (Botany), University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India 1985: B. Sc. (Biology), University of Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India Professional Experience: Yr. 2011-Present: Research Assistant Professor (Horticulture) Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands Yr. 2006-2011: Plant Pathologist and Program Leader (Crop Production) Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Service (CREES), Northern Marianas College, Saipan MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands Research projects: USDA (Hatch-3, Smith Lever-2), USDA-T-Star (University of Guam), Sun Grant project (led by University of Hawaii), WSARE (R&E-1) Yr. 2005-2006: Regional Advisor (Asia Pacific), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP- GEF) Yr. 1999- 2005: Agriculture Researcher, Cooperative Research and Extension, College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, MH 96960, Marshall Islands Research projects: Hatch (3), Smith Lever (2), T-Star (in collaboration with University of Guam), FAO of UN (1) Yr. 1995-1999: Research Scientist, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd, (MAHYCO), India Yr. 1993-1995: Research Associate (CSIR), M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India Awards and Recognition 2011: Blue Ribbon Extension Communications award for `Banana Guide for the CNMI’ (Extension Publication), American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)Southern Region 2010: Non-Instructional faculty of the Year, Northern Marianas College 2009: Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) from American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 1994: Young Scientist Merit Award by Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Calcutta, India 1993: Award of Research Associate from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India Professional Affiliations • International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS), Western Region (2003-4, 2007) • American Phytopathological Society (APS), (2008- onwards) • American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS), (2007-onwards) 7

Society of In-vitro Biology (SIVB), (2001-2004) Plant Growth Regulation Society of America (PGRSA), (2009) International Association of Plant Tissue Culture (IAPTC), (1995) International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), (1995 & 2010) Asia Pacific Association of Agriculture Research Institutions (APAARI), (2010 onwards) • International Association of Plant Biotechnology-Canada section (2008) Member of Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Nature Environment and Pollution Technology • • • • •

Publications: Peer reviewed journals: 1. Nandwani D., Zehr U, Zehr BE and Raju Barwale. 2000. Mass propagation and ex vitro survival of banana CV Basrai through tissue culture. Gartenbauwissenschaft. 6: 237240. 2. Nandwani D, Kumaria S and P Tandon. 2001. Micropropagation of Pinus kesiya Royal ex Gord (Khasi pine). Gartenbauwissenschaft. 66 (2): 68-71 3. Nandwani D and J Joseph. 2002. Biological control of insect and plant pests of the Marshall Islands. Micronesica Suppl. 7:125-132. 4. Nandwani D. 2003. Biodiversity and biocultural heritage in the island countries: The Marshall Islands. Int. J. Island Affairs (INSULA), UNESCO, Paris. P. 35-40 5. Nandwani D and Edgar J DaSilva 2003. Traditional knowledge and medicine in the Marshall Islands. Teknoscience. p. 42-46 6. DaSilva, EDS, Murukesan V.K., Nandwani, D, Josekutty P.C and M. Taylor. 2004. The Pacific Islands: A biotech resources bank of medicinal plants and traditional intellectual property. World J. Microbiol. Biotech. 20: 903-934 7. Nandwani D and Andrew H Kuniyuki. 2005. Grafting and improvement of breadfruit production in Micronesia. Acta Hort. 694: 307-310 8. Nandwani D, Jack Tenorio, Lawrence Duponcheel, Alejandro Badilles and Ross Manglona. 2007. Sustainable agriculture practices in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. J. Environ. Monitoring and Restoration. 3: 53-58. 9. Nandwani D, Julita A. Calvo, Jack Tenorio, Felix Calvo and Lourdes Manglona. 2008. Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge in the Northern Mariana Islands. J. Applied Biosciences. 2008. Vol. 8 (2): 323-330 10. Nandwani D and Jack Tenorio. 2009. Underutilized Plants of the Northern Mariana Islands. Acta Hort. Vol. 1: 163-168 11. Nandwani D. 2009. Field Trials of Tissue Culture Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) in the Northern Mariana Islands. Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal Science and Biotechnology 3(1): 38-43 12. Nandwani D. 2010. Variety trials, sensory evaluations and In-vitro multiplication of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas) in the Western Pacific. Fruit, Vegetable and Cereal Science and Biotechnology 4: 73-78. 13. Ramesh J, Jat BL, Sharma A and D. Nandwani. 2011. In Vitro propagation of Murraya koenigii L. Spreng (Curry Leaf Plant) through adventitious shoot proliferation from internode explants. Int. J. of Plant Development Biol. 5 (1) 49-52. 8

14. Nandwani D and JAT DaSilva. 2011. Field evaluation of tissue cultured banana (Musa spp.) using a narrow pit system under atoll environment conditions. Tree and Forestry Science and Biotechnology 6(1): 122-125 Co-PI: Craig D. Stanley, Ph.D Professor and Associate Center Director Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Florida Areas of Specialization Soil and water management, crop water requirements, irrigation management, water quality management Educational Background University Field of Study Degree Date Iowa State University Agronomy B.S. 1973 Iowa State University Agricultural Climatology M.S. 1975 Iowa State University Soil Management Ph.D. 1978 Employment History 2/2000 – present Associate Center Director and Professor, University of Florida 4/95 - present Professor (Soil-Water Relations), University of Florida 9/84- 4/95 Associate Professor (Soil-Water Relations), University of Florida 8/79 - 9/84 Assistant Professor (Soil-Water Relations), University of Florida 1/1989 - 8/1989 Visiting Professor, University of Hawaii, Manoa 1978-79 Plant Physiologist, USDA-SEA-ARS (N. E. Plant, Soil and Water Lab., Orono, ME) Publications Refereed Publications (selected) 1. Clark, G. A., C. D. Stanley, A. G. Smajstrla, and F. S. Zazueta. 1995. Microirrigation design considerations for sandy soil vegetable production systems. Proc. 5th Int. Microirrig. Cong. Amer. Soc. Agric. Engin. pp. 516-521. 2. Clarke, R. A., C. D. Stanley, B. W. MacLeod, and B. L. McNeal. 1997. Relationship of seasonal water quality to chlorophyll a concentration in Lake Manatee, Florida. J. Lake and Res. Mgnt. 13:253-258. 3. Scholberg, J.M., B.L. McNeal, J.W. Jones, K.J. Boote, C.D. Stanley, and T.A. Obreza. 2000. Growth and canopy characteristics of field-grown tomatoes. Agronomy J.92:152-159. 4. Clark, G.A., C.D. Stanley, and D.N. Maynard. 2000. Municipal solid waste (MSWC) as a soil amendment in irrigated vegetable production. Transactions of the Amer. Soc. Agr. Engin. 43(4):847-853. 5) Stanley, C. D. and B. K. Harbaugh. 2002. Water table depth effect on water use and tuber yield for subirrigated caladium production. HortTech. 12:679-681.

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6) R. A. Clarke, C. D. Stanley, B. L. McNeal and B. W. MacLeod. 2002. Impact of agricultural land use on nitrate levels in Lake Manatee, Florida. J. Soil Water Conser. 57:106111. 7) Stanley, C. D. 2004. Effect of water table depth and irrigation application method on water use for subirrigated fresh market tomato production in Florida. J. Soil water Conser. 59:149153. 8) Hochmuth, George, Dan Cantliffe, Craig Chandler, Craig Stanley, Eric Bish, Eric Wlado, Dan Legard, and John Duval. 2006. Containerized strawberry transplants reduce establishment period water use and enhance early growth and flowering compared with bareroot plants. HortTech. 16:46-54. 9) Hochmuth, George, Dan Cantliffe, Craig Chandler, Craig Stanley, Eric Bish, Eric Wlado, Dan Legard, and John Duval. 2006. Fruiting responses and economics of containerized and bare-root strawberry transplants established with different irrigation methods. HortTech. 16:205-210.

Budget Item Personnel Student Aid (16 weeks, 10hr/wk. @ $10/hr.) Fringe benefits (If Charged as Direct Costs) $532.80 = 33.3 % of total Salaries Supplies and Materials Seeds Seeding Trays (64 cell, 20@$3) Fertilizers (`Plant Natural’ and/or `Alaska Fish Emulsion’) $30/bottle each for N, P and K, 2bottles x 3=6) Irrigation supplies (Drip lines, 12 mil, 2500’ for 100’x100’ plot), $200 Connecters, main line etc.) Sisal (Strings) ($15/roll), 5rollsx15 T-poles/ Stakes (approx.. 420@$10 Mulch (Hay), $10/bale, total 20bales Equipment Soil moisture, Quick test of petiole (SPAD Chlorophyll meter), Environmental variable devices, pH meter Shipping Travel St. Croix-FL (one week) (airfare, lodging, per diem) (FSHS) for PI St. Croix-Travel to attend annual meeting/conference of ASHS Printing and publications Fact Sheet ($2.0/sheet) 750sheets Total

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Cost $1,600 $540 $150 $60 $180 $1,000 $75 $4,200 $200 $3,000 $1,000 $1,300 $1,800 $1,500 $16,605