Abstract
Crop diversification is of interest to many vegetable growers. However, inadequate marketing knowledge and insufficient cultural and economic information greatly increases the risks associated with diversifying into new, nontraditional, specialty crops. A state or regional effort integrating marketing concerns, production requirements, and economic considerations would assist growers in determining viable options for diversification, while minimizing these risks. This multidisciplined cooperation would provide reliable recommendations and guidelines to growers concerning potential new crops. Such an approach would not necessarily develop specific markets for individual growers, but rather it would define marketing opportunities on a state or regional basis. Individuals could then use the methodology to ascertain specific marketing niches and tailor at least a portion of their production accordingly.
In an effort to identify new herbicides for vegetables crops, broccoli (Brassica oleracea) cantaloupe (Cucumis melo), carrot (Daucus carota), head lettuce (Lactuca sativa), bulb onion (Allium cepa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were evaluated in the field for tolerance to eight herbicides. The following herbicides and rates, expressed in a.i. lb/acre, were applied preemergence: carfentrazone, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2; flufenacet, 0.525; flumioxazin, 0.063, 0.125 and 0.25; halosulfuron, 0.032 and 0.047; isoxaben, 0.25 and 0.50; rimsulfuron, 0.016 and 0.031; SAN 582, 0.94 and 1.20 and sulfentrazone, 0.15 and 0.25 (1.000 lb/acre = 1.1208 kg·ha-1). Tolerance was evaluated by measuring crop stand, injury and biomass. Several leads for new vegetable herbicides were identified. Lettuce demonstrated tolerance to carfentrazone at 0.05 and 0.10 lb/acre. Cantaloupe and processing tomato were tolerant of halosulfuron at 0.032 and 0.047 lb/acre. Broccoli, cantaloupe and processing tomato were tolerant of SAN 582 at 0.94 lb/acre. Broccoli and carrot were tolerant of sulfentrazone at 0.15 lb/acre.
U.S. crop loss from hail damage amounted to $246,443,391 in 1991. Premiums paid for hail insurance was $403,742,507. Despite the magnitude of this industry, the effects of varying levels of hail injury at different stages of plant growth is largely unknown for many vegetable crops. To further evaluate the effects of hail on strawberries, watermelons, and sweet corn, several studies were established in 1991 and 1992. Simulated hail applications were made at different rates and stages of crop growth. Total yields and marketable yields of strawberries were reduced by hail applications. All hail treatments reduced the number of marketable watermelons, except for the vegetative size light hail treatment in 1991. In 1992, the early treatments caused the most total yield reduction. All hail treatments reduced the percentage of marketable ears of sweet corn, except for the light application in the 13th leaf stage (early vegetative) in 1991. In 1992, additional treatments consisting of clipping all leaves were conducted. Clipping leaves at the early silking stage reduced marketable ears, indicating the loss of foliage adversely affected the growth of the ear. Clipping leaves just prior to harvest reduced the yield of Jubilee, but not Silver Queen.
, linear and/or mobile sensors. This study aimed to develop a cheap and simple method to estimate LAI based on measurements of PGC in two vegetable crops with notable differences in leaf type and plant architecture; it was based on analyzing digital
migration to a deeper soil layer or groundwater when the conditions are satisfied ( Bergström and Kirchmann, 1999 ). High-input cropping systems, especially greenhouse cultivation, develop quickly in China to meet consumer demand for vegetables throughout
141 ORAL SESSION (Abstr. 658-665) VEGETABLE CROPS: CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT II
Onion ( Allium cepa ) is one of the most essential vegetable crops, ranking third after tomato and potato ( Teshika et al. 2019 ). Onion production has increased significantly in the past decades. The worldwide production of onion is approximately
Abstract
Vegetables have high K needs because of the succulent nature of the harvested portion of the crop. The K removal is highest for leafy vegetables when the entire plant is removed, as with celery, and least for the seed crops such as peas and lima beans. The amount of K removed in the crop varies from 80 lbs/A for peas to 350 lbs/A for celery while the majority of vegetables remove in the range of 100-150 lbs/A K.
The development of polyethylene as a plastic film in 1938 and its subsequent introduction as a plastic mulch in the early 1950s revolutionized the commercial production of selected vegetable crops. Throughout the succeeding years, research, extension, and industry personnel, together with growers, have documented the advantages of using plastic mulch as one component of a complete intensive vegetable production system. Although a variety of vegetables can be grown successfully using plastic mulches, muskmelons, honeydews, watermelons, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, okra, sweet corn, and cole crops have shown significant increases in earliness, total yield, and quality. Research continues on field evaluation of new formulations of degradable, wavelength-selective, and colored plastic mulches and on cropping systems to use best these specific improvements. The use of plastic mulches for the production of vegetable crops continues to increase throughout the United States and the world.