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Fall cole crops of exceptional quality and high market value are produced in Kentucky. Tobacco is an integral part of agriculture in the southeastern states and production of fall cole crops following tobacco may increase diversification and Potential profits. A float system was utilized for transplant production. Field plots were established with broccoli and cabbage grown conventionally, planted into killed sudex cover, cultivated tobacco stubble and directly into tobacco stubble. Data were collected on soil fertility, insect and weed populations, crop quality and yield. Periodically, foliar samples were analyzed for nitrate, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium content. Fall cole crops grown conventionally or in killed sudex cover produced comparable results and head size. Insect pressures were reduced in killed sudex covers. Total yield and quality were reduced when seedlings where planted directly into tobacco stubble.
Tomato and pepper seedlings were grown in six controlled environmental chambers with three different temperature levels (high:24/16°C, medium:20/12°C, and low:16/8°C) and two CO2 levels (1500 ppm and ambient) after cotyledons had unfolded. After 4 weeks, seedlings were planted into 15 cm pots. After 4 weeks, another set were transplanted to the field on 5/13 and arranged with 4 replications in a randomized complete block design. Only temperature treatment had a significant influence on the number of flowers developed in greenhouse experiments. However, for field transplanted seedlings, CO2 enrichment had a significant effect on flower formation and increased total flower numbers and fruit numbers in the early growth stages in field. Temperature also influenced seedling height. In other experiments, cold treatments were given to tomato and pepper seedlings. Seedlings were treated with 13°C temperatures for 0, 1 or 2 weeks after cotyledons unfolded. Results indicate that tomato seedlings with either 1 or 2 weeks of cold treatment had greater dry weight and leaf numbers and larger and more mature flower buds than those given no cold treatment. Pepper seedlings receiving 2 weeks of cold treatment showed similar increases compared to those receiving 0 or 1 weeks of cold treatment. The earliest flower initials were observed microscopically when tomato had only one visible leaf and pepper had 8 or 9 visible leaves. These results indicate that cold treatments should be started as soon as the cotyledons have unfolded to hasten flower formation.