Could sea lettuce be a potato fertilizer?

Title

Abstract

Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] The PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association, in association with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the PEI ADAPT Council, has set up a pilot project on the O'Leary farm of Jeff and Jason Smallman to investigate whether sea lettuce could be used as a fertilizer for potatoes. In 2011 a private business worked with the PEI Shellfish Association and the provincial Department of Environment to conduct a trial harvest in Covehead Bay and the Mill River. Tyler Wright from the Soil and Crop Association remarks that to avoid problems with run-off and odour, sea lettuce would ideally be composted with straw so that it can be applied at a later time. Trials conducted at Harrington Farm showed that sea lettuce compares well with animal fertilizer, and it can be handled with farm equipment, but the window of opportunity for harvesting the sea lettuce is relatively small, as it can not be used once the lettuce starts to sink in the water.

Date

2014-04-16

Issue

1

Title	Could sea lettuce be a potato fertilizer?
Authors	A. Walker
Abstract	Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] The PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association, in association with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the PEI ADAPT Council, has set up a pilot project on the O'Leary farm of Jeff and Jason Smallman to investigate whether sea lettuce could be used as a fertilizer for potatoes. In 2011 a private business worked with the PEI Shellfish Association and the provincial Department of Environment to conduct a trial harvest in Covehead Bay and the Mill River. Tyler Wright from the Soil and Crop Association remarks that to avoid problems with run-off and odour, sea lettuce would ideally be composted with straw so that it can be applied at a later time. Trials conducted at Harrington Farm showed that sea lettuce compares well with animal fertilizer, and it can be handled with farm equipment, but the window of opportunity for harvesting the sea lettuce is relatively small, as it can not be used once the lettuce starts to sink in the water.
Journal	Island farmer
Date	2014-04-16
Volume	41
Issue	1
ISSN	0823-7735