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The effects of fertilizer placement and soil moisture level on soil N movement, uptake, and use by tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) grown with drip irrigation and plastic mulch were evaluated at two locations on two types of sandy soils. Broadcast or band fertilizer placement had no effect on fruit size, fruit number, or total yield. Fruit size was increased at one location, and the incidence of blossom-end rot was decreased by increased frequency of irrigation. Nitrate-N distribution within the bed was not affected by initial N placement. In the soil with a rapid infiltration rate, NO3-N levels in the center of the bed were always low, with highest concentration observed in the areas of the bed most distant from the drip tube. In the soil with the slower infiltration rate, NO3-N concentrations were more uniform throughout the bed, with highest concentrations in the bed center: Increasing soil moisture levels (–20 kPa vs. –30 kPa) resulted in increased leaching and reduced NO3-N concentration throughout the bed. Foliage N concentration was not affected by N placement, but decreased seasonally. Total N uptake by the above-ground portion of the plants was not affected by fertilizer placement or soil moisture level.
Studies were conducted to determine the effect of N application frequency through drip irrigation on soil NO3-N movement in the bed profile and on yield and N uptake by tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. `Sunny') at two locations. Increasing N application frequency resulted in increased yields at Clayton, N. C., but not at Charleston, S.C. The number of fruit produced was not affected by N treatment at either location, but fruit size increased with increasing N application frequency at Clayton. Foliage N concentration decreased seasonally, but neither foliage N concentration nor total N content of the above-ground portion of the plants was affected by N application frequency. Regardless of N application frequency, NO3-N concentrations within the raised bed decreased with time due to plant uptake and leaching. Nitrogen levels declined most rapidly in the area closest to the drip tube.
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.
Abstract
Potato plants (Solarium tuberosum L. cv. Irish Cobbler) which were intermittently misted fixed more 14CO2 than nonmisted plants. Most of the 14C was found in the sugar fraction with the greatest activity translocating to the top of the plant. The highest 14C in the nonvolatile organic acid fraction was found in the leaf which was fed 14CO2. The radioactivity of the free amino acid fraction was highest in tubers of misted plants, but was highest in the 14CO2 fed leaf of the nonmisted plants.
We evaluated high plant population of watermelons when grown on black plastic with drip fertigation. We grew watermelons in 1.5m or 1.8 m centered rows, with one or two plants per hill, at spacing from 0.45 to 1.5 m in-row. Single plants constantly out yielded 2 plant hills and produced bigger melons. Large (over 9 kg) melon yields were not different at in-row spacing of 0.6 m and greater. However, the 5.4-9kg melons “pee wees” produced more yield as in-row spacing decreased. Thus total marketable melon yields increased as in-row spacing decreased to 0.45 m up to 21,000 melons and 135 T/ha. Plastic increased yield 2 to 4 times depending on the spacing. If small watermelons can be sold, single plants at 0.45m spacing provided the greatest return for the plastic-drip-fertigation system.
We evaluated high plant population of watermelons when grown on black plastic with drip fertigation. We grew watermelons in 1.5m or 1.8 m centered rows, with one or two plants per hill, at spacing from 0.45 to 1.5 m in-row. Single plants constantly out yielded 2 plant hills and produced bigger melons. Large (over 9 kg) melon yields were not different at in-row spacing of 0.6 m and greater. However, the 5.4-9kg melons “pee wees” produced more yield as in-row spacing decreased. Thus total marketable melon yields increased as in-row spacing decreased to 0.45 m up to 21,000 melons and 135 T/ha. Plastic increased yield 2 to 4 times depending on the spacing. If small watermelons can be sold, single plants at 0.45m spacing provided the greatest return for the plastic-drip-fertigation system.
A commercial mixture of 1-naphthaleneacetamide and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (Amcotone) was applied to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at various timings from early bloom through early fruit development to evaluate effects on fruit size and both early and total marketable yield. Amcotone was applied at rates from 10 to 40 mg·L-1, at three sites for each of the species studied. Measured yield response variables in tomato did not differ between the control and Amcotone treatments, regardless of location. Amcotone treatments did not affect yields or fruit size for pepper at the New Jersey or Texas sites. However, at Ft. Pierce, Fla., early marketable yield of pepper was increased in plots receiving three Amcotone applications at 10 mg·L-1, but total marketable yield was significantly reduced in all plots receiving more than two Amcotone sprays, and mean fruit weight was reduced by all Amcotone treatments. Early and total marketable yield of pepper at Ft. Pierce were markedly reduced in plots receiving four applications of 40 mg·L-1, which was a high rate used to assess potential phytotoxicity. While minimal benefit from auxin application was observed in this study, earlier studies suggest that these results may have been influenced by favorable environmental conditions for fruit development or negative effects on unopened flowers during all Amcotone spray applications.