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High tunnels (HT) can reduce negative environmental strains on crop production and have been shown to extend the growing season for many small fruits and vegetables. Because HTs require relatively low initial investment compared with standard greenhouse structures, they are well suited for the small to mid-size grower. HTs provide a practical means of entry into intensive crop production for farmers who direct market their produce. By using HTs, direct market farmers may create a special marketing niche which set's them apart by offering locally grown vegetables, cut flowers, small fruits, and herbs earlier in the growing season and into the fall after frost. This project examined 1) the potential use of HTs for the production of fresh-market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and strawberries (Fragaria spp.) and 2) the seasonal market potential for these crops in Alabama. Viable markets were determined by conducting surveys at regional locations throughout Alabama, such as farmers markets, grocery stores, shopping centers, etc. Upscale restaurants were also surveyed to determine the demand for locally grown herbs. These surveys were used to determine target markets by asking demographic questions and determining spending habits. Justification for establishing a direct farmer-to-consumer market or a direct farmer to restaurant market for HT products was determined.
Apios americana Medikus (apios) is a wild tuberous legume with potential as a crop plant. Five apios accessions were grown in sand culture in two greenhouse experiments to examine the effect of N fertilization and inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on yield and plant characteristics. A common soybean B. japonicum strain (USDA76) was applied to plants watered with 0, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ppm N solutions (NH4NO3), plus a complete nutrient solution. At 0 N, total dry matter yield of noninoculated plants was only ≈ 30% of inoculated plants. However, total dry-matter yields of inoculated plants at 0 N were only ≈77% of plants supplemented with 50 or 100 ppm, indicating that inoculation alone was insufficient to meet the N needs of the plant. Tuber weight was increased by both N and inoculation, but tuber weight decreased at N concentrations >100 ppm. Differences among plant accessions with regard to tuber fresh weight, harvest index, and modulation were found. These studies indicated that N fertilization maybe required to maximize tuber yields of apios.