Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to investigate fish by-products as soil amendment for organic flower production focusing on Peonies (Paeonia spp). The information generated through this research program will be used to develop organic recommendation for flower production in Alaska using peonies as a model crop. Data will be applicable to other cut flowers and crops. The specific goals are: 1) Determine the release rate of nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) from figs by-products in soil. 2) Determine the nutrient uptake rate by plants from those materials. 3) Determine the optimal application rate for each by-product for cut flowers production, using peonies as model crop. 4) Demonstrate the nutritional value of the fish by-products in organic producer’s fields. 5) Develop recommendations practices for peony fertilization using fish by-products.

Approach:
Fish byproducts will be applied in the Georgeson Botanic Garden newly established peony flower garden. The tested species is Sarah Bernhardt. Fish byproducts (fish meal, fish hydrolysate, fish compost, and fish gut) will respectively applied to soil with a rate of 100 kg N/ha. Soil and plant tissue will be sampled and the samples will be analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrient content. In addition, plant leaf color will be examined by use of a SPAD spectral meter so that it can be related to leaf nitrogen concentration. The insect incidence will be investigated from each treatment.