ASHS 2015 Annual Conference

Composting is the natural breaking down of carbon and nitrogen-containing materials such as recycled plant parts, food scraps, paper, animal fodder, and wood chips. The end product, compost, becomes a beneficial soil amendment because it contains a full spectrum of essential plant nutrients that improve soil productivity.  Coastal regions of Texas have a proliferation of brown seaweed, Sargassum sp., drifting onshore in all major beach areas.  The biomass harvested exceeds natural decomposition rates when it is piled on the beaches and threatens them economically and environmentally. The purpose of this study is to conduct a market test to determine the potential value of seaweed-based compost to consumers in Texas. A marketing survey was developed and distributed to over 150 gardeners in the Central and South Texas regions.  The questionnaire included Likert scale, Contingent Valuation, and demographic questions. Likert scale questions measured the participants’ opinions on buying habits. Contingent Valuation questions measured participants’ willingness to pay for compost-related products. While filling out the questionnaire, the participants were able to see, smell and touch a sample of the compost so as to better answer the survey.  Results indicate that there is potential for a specialty Sargassum-based compost to be introduced to the market, as long as the price is competitive.