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- Author or Editor: Charles A. Mullins x
Abstract
Nine snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were evaluated at N fertilization rates of 17 and 67 kg·ha−1 during 1984 and 1985. Plant lodging was more severe at the high-N rate than at the low rate in both years, and pod decay was more severe at the high-N rate in 1984. ‘Bush Blue Lake 47’ was the only cultivar among those tested that did not have more lodging at the high-N rate than at the low-N rate. ‘Flo’ was the only cultivar with higher yields at the high-N rate. The cultivars evaluated showed the most favorable yield and growth responses at the N rate of 17 kg·ha−1, which is lower than rates usually recommended for snap beans.
Abstract
I agree with Jones that the information requested is useful and would add to the article. However, I doubt that any article published has all the information that could and should be presented for a perfect paper. I assume that my name and address was a part of the publication so that anyone wanting additional information could contact me. This study was conducted at the request of representatives of a seed company based on their worldwide observations of excessive N use, excessive plant lodging, and difficulty with machine harvest of snap beans. Those observations included both organic and inorganic forms of N and were essentially the same as we found previously with Bush Blue Lake-type snap beans in Tennessee. The newer cultivars apparently have considerable Bush Blue Lake parentage and lodge less with lower N fertilization levels. This article will be reprinted by the seed company involved and will be distributed in several countries as part of an effort to promote improved snap bean production practices.
Snap beans comprise the largest acreage of any vegetable crop grown in Tennessee with an annual production of about 6,000 hectares. Approximately two-thirds of the production is for five fresh market packers and the rest is primarily for two large processors located within the state. Most production is machine harvested with over 50 harvesters owned by Tennessee producers. Primary fresh market cultivars grown are `Strike', `Hialeah', and `Greencrop'. Fresh market snap beans are mechanically and hand graded to remove small pods, broken pods, and trash. Hydrocooling has become a standard practice in fresh market packing operations. Packed beans are sold throughout most of the Eastern United States. Primary processing cultivars are `Roma II', `Trueblue', `Hystyle'. `Peak', `Benton', and `Labrador'. Snap beans are grown on the Cumberland Plateau and in West Tennessee for nearby processing plants. At present, only a small portion of snap beans grown for processing are shipped out of state.
Harvest maturity of round-podded snap beans is based on pod diameter. Flat-podded cultivars such as `Roma II' require a different maturity index. Pod fiber and seed development are two leading indicators of maturity and pod quality and both are highly dependent upon environmental conditions. Experiments were conducted at the Plateau Experiment Station at Crossville in 1993 to evaluate changes in pod characteristics as the crop matured. The objectives were to evaluate indices for field use to determine optimum maturity of `Roma II' bush beans for processing usage. Harvests were made at two day intervals starting before optimum maturity and continuing until a decline in maximum yields had occurred. Seed length of 100 mm for 10 seeds extracted from the most mature pods appeared to be an acceptable guide for harvest maturity to assure maximum yields and excellent pod quality.
Abstract
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cvs. Better Boy and Walter) were grown on an acid soil (pH 4.9) with initially low Ca and Mg levels which was limed with Ca(OH)2 and MgO in varied mole ratios. In 1980, marketable fruit yields were lower with the 100% Ca(OH)2 or 100% MgO lime ratio. In 1981, lime source had no effect on marketable fruit yields. Fruit blossom-end rot was most severe when no Ca was applied, while cracking appeared more severe with high levels of Ca application. Leaf Ca and fruit pH were higher for ‘Walter’ than for ‘Better Boy’. The Ca to Mg mole ratio of leaf tissue sampled at early fruiting was a good indicator of the Ca-Mg status of tomato in 1980, when highest fruit yields were obtained over a relatively narrow range of the leaf Ca to Mg mole ratio, with both Ca and Mg deficiency limiting yields. The leaf Ca to Mg mole ratio was well-correlated with the soil test Ca to Mg mole ratio during a given year, but the relationships were different between years. Yield and elemental uptake by tomato relative to levels of Ca and Mg application varied between years as a consequence of the differing climatic conditions in a hot, dry year (1980) versus a cooler, moister year (1981).
Several pod characteristics were evaluated to select methods for determining optimum maturity for mechanical harvest of flat podded `Roma II' beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The test was conducted over a 3-year period (1993-1995) at Crossville, Tenn. A total length of 3.6 to 4.4 inches (90 to 112 mm) for the center seed from each of 10 of the more mature pods was a rather reliable and rapid field guide for determining optimum maturity for mechanical harvest of `Roma II' bush beans.
Eleven filet snap bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated near Crossville, Tenn., in 1995 and 1996. `Minuette' and `Pluto' were among the most productive cultivars in 1995, while `Carlo', `Masai', and `Minuette' were among the most productive cultivars in 1996. In 1995, `Maxibel' produced the greatest percentage of pods No. 3 or larger in sieve size while in 1996, `Carlo', `Dandy', `Maxibel', and `Teseo' were among cultivars that produced the highest percentage of pods No. 3 or larger sieve size. `Flevoro', `Nickel', and `Pluto' pods were firmer than pods of all cultivars except `Axel', `Masai', and `Maxibel' in 1995. In 1996, pods of `Flevoro' were firmer than pods of all cultivars except `Carlo', `Maxibel' and `Nickel'. Pods of `Minuette', and `Rapier' were darker in color than pods of all cultivars except `Axel' and `Teseo'. `Maxibel' produced the longest pods, while `Axel' produced shorter pods than all cultivars except `Masai' and `Rapier'. `Masai' in 1995, and `Masai' and `Nickel' in 1996 produced the smoothest pods. `Dandy' and `Maxibel' pods had the most curvature in 1995, while in 1996, `Maxibel' had more pod curvature than all cultivars except `Carlo', `andy', `Nickel', and `Teseo'.
Several spacing, cultivar, ethephon and harvest sequence studies were made on summer squash in 1989 evaluating cultural practices which maximized marketable once-over yield of fruit for processing. Optimum spacing was 30 cm within rows and 45 cm between rows. The zucchini and yellow hybrids producing the highest marketable yield were `Classic' and 'Gold Slice', respectively. Ethephon applied at 0.77 kg/ha resulted in higher yield than no ethephon. Harvesting two times followed by a seven day delay before a once-over, destructive harvest produced a marketable yield equal to three harvests/week for three weeks. A prototype mechanical harvester has been used successfully on yellow hybrids; zucchini hybrids require more force for successful fruit separation.
Abstract
Conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT), and rotary strip-tillage (RT) methods were combined with row spacings of 0.46 m (28 plants/m2) and 0.92 m (56 plants/m2) in 1985 and 1986 snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) tests with a split-plot factorial arrangement of treatments. Yields were lowest with NT and 0.92-m row spacings both years, while plant stands were lowest with NT and RT. Plant lodging was lowest with NT and highest with CT each year. Pod clustering and broken pods following machine harvest were lowest with NT both years, while rotten pods and percentage no. 2 to 4 sieve-size pods were lowest with NT in 1986. Incidence of broken pods was higher with the 0.46-m row spacing than with the 0.92-m row spacing in 1985 and the incidence of rotten pods was greatest with the 0.46-m row spacing in 1986. The 0.46-m row spacing improved yields over the 0.92-m spacing, with minimal difference in pod quality. Weed control was less effective with NT than with CT and RT methods.
No-till (NT) culture has worked well with many agronomic crops; however, NT culture has been less successful with vegetable crops. `Mountain Pride' tomatoes were grown under (NT) and conventional-till (CT) culture at the Plateau Experiment Station. During the first two years of the study, both NT and CT plots were tilled in the fall and sowed in a winter wheat cover crop. In the third year of the study, a continuous NT culture was maintained. Tomato yields were identical from the two tillage practices in the first year. In the second year, yields were significantly higher from NT tomatoes than CT tomatoes. The trend reversed in the third year with CT producing significantly more yield than NT culture. In addition, NT tomato plants were stunted and roots were observed to grow laterally near the soil surface. Production of NT tomatoes following a winter wheat cover crop appears feasible; however, continuous NT was not promising.