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Abstract
Double-cropping systems were compared to the same vegetable monocropped. Snap beans [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) ‘Bush Blue Lake’], sweet corn [Zea mays (L.) ‘Sundance’], cauliflower [Brassica oleracea (L.), Botrytis group, ‘Snow Crown’], summer squash [Cucurbita pepo (L.) ‘Zucchini Elite’], and broccoli [Brassica oleracea (L.), Italica group, ‘Green Comet’] were used. The double-crop systems used were spring snap bean and fall cauliflower, summer squash and fall broccoli, and spring sweet corn and fall snap beans. The monocrop system was used as a control for the double-crop systems. The greatest net returns were: 1) squash monocropped or squash/broccoli double-cropped, 2) squash double-cropped, 3) cauliflower or cauliflower/snap bean double-cropped, and 4) broccoli or cauliflower or snap beans monocropped. Fall snap beans provided the least economic return. The double-cropping system allows an option of crop production with a potential increase in yield and economic returns using half the amount of land per year required for either crop grown in monoculture. In addition, these systems reduce the risk of economic failure during a year of low-market demand for either crop grown alone.
The composition of composts derived from municipal solid wastes can affect emergence and seedling growth. Composts consisting of biosolids and yard trimmings [standard compost (SC)] alone or with mixed waste paper (MWP), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), or refuse-derived fuel residuals (RDFR) were evaluated in seedling trays and pots for vegetable crop seedling emergence and growth. In trays, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings emerged faster from a commercial peat-lite mix and from sandy field soil than from the composts. Plants were tallest and shoots were generally heaviest in the peat-lite mix and aged SC and smallest in the field soil. MWP compost generally inhibited early seedling growth more than RDF or RDFR composts. Among the composts, seedlings were tallest and heaviest in SC. In pots, growth of each vegetable was generally greatest in SC, followed by other composts, and lowest in sandy soil. Tomato and pepper seedling emergence was more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of the RDF, RDFR, and MWP composts than cucumber seedling emergence. Fertilizer increased plant growth in each medium except SC, in which cucumber stem diameter was not increased. Adding MWP, RDF, or RDFR to SC generally decreased seedling emergence and growth. The composts prolonged days to emergence and decreased percent emerged seedlings. However, subsequent seedling growth in composts was equal to or greater than seedlings in the peat-lite mix and much greater than those in the sandy field soil.
Abstract
The response of 9 vegetable crops to P concn in the soil solution was determined in field studies on soils with a relatively high capacity for immobilizing P. Adjusted P concentration in the soil solution ranged from 0.003 ppm, doubling at each level, to 1.6 ppm. Most crops produced maximum yields at 0.2 to 0.3 ppm P in soil solution, although transplanted head cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Group) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) produced maximum yields at 0.04 and 0.1 ppm, respectively. At suboptimal P concentration in soil solution, crop response varied greatly. Sweet potato produced about 70% of maximum yield, while lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) produced about 1% of maximum yield. P levels in plant tissue at 95% of maximum yields ranged from 0.3% in lettuce to 0.7% in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. Pekinensis Group).
Abstract
Sodium azide (NaN3) applied at 134.4 kg/ha as a soil fumigant did not drastically alter the quality of vegetable root crops grown on treated soil. Azide soil treatment had no influence on quality of beets (Beta vulgaris L.) or potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Differences were noted in quality of turnips (Brassica rapa L.) during 1976; however, no differences were found during the 1977 growing season at 2 locations. Azide soil treatments resulted in differences in quality of carrots (Daucus carota L.). Some differences that occurred were beneficial such as increased size and carotenoid content of carrots.
Abstract
Development of interplanting systems for vegetables has been impeded due to concerns about yield reductions and use of systematic experimental designs that limit analysis of fundamental competitive processes. This study employed an addition series and growth analysis combined with management strategies aimed at minimizing competition between the crop and the interplant. Pak choi [Brassica rapa L. (Chinensis Group)] was interplanted with strips of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) that covered 67% of the soil. Pak Choi was a weak competitor compared to perennial ryegrass. Mulch suppression using a sublethal rate of fluazifop provided the most promising management strategy to reduce competition from the ryegrass interplant. Timing of suppression and reduction of mulch root growth were critical elements of successful management. Chemical names used: (±)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyrindinyI]oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid (fluazifop).
Abstract
Azide as NaN3 or KN3 impregnated on clay granules gave excellent control of yellow nutsedge (Cypetus esculentus L.) compared to methyl isothiocyanate combined with chlorinated C3 hydrocarbons (Vorlex) or a non-hand weeded control. Nematode control was obtained with all treatments. Significant yield responses from the use of azide were obtained with all crops.
Compost (biosolids and yard trimmings at 134 t·ha-1) was applied to a sandy field soil with fertilizer at 0%, 50%, or 100% of the grower's standard rate (71N-39P-44K kg·ha-1 broadcast and 283N-278K kg·ha-1 banded in bed centers). Raised beds were constructed and covered with polyethylene mulch, and `Elisa' bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) were transplanted into the plots. Foliage samples taken at early harvest indicated that leaf N concentrations increased and Cu concentrations decreased with increasing fertilizer rates. Leaf concentrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg increased and Cu decreased in plots amended with compost. Marketable pepper yields from plants grown in plots amended with compost were 30.3, 35.7, and 31.1 t·ha-1 in plots with 0%, 50%, and 100% fertilizer rate, respectively. Without compost, yields were 19.8, 31.1, and 32.0 t·ha-1 with 0%, 50%, and 100% fertilizer rate. `Valient' cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) were seeded through the same polyethylene mulch into the previous pepper plots. Marketable cucumber yields were not affected by residual fertilizer, but were higher (26.8 t·ha-1) in plots amended with compost than without compost (22.7 t·ha-1). In a second experiment, a biosolids-yard trimming-mixed waste paper (MWP) compost and a biosolids-yard trimming-refuse-derived fuel (RDF) compost were applied at 0 or 134 t·ha-1 with fertilizer at 0%, 50%, or 100% fertilizer rates, respectively. With no fertilizer, total yields from pepper plants were higher in plots amended with composts than without composts. In 50% fertilizer plots, yields were similar between compost treatments. At 100% fertilizer rate, yields with MWP compost were significantly higher than yields with RDF compost or with no compost. In plots without fertilizer or with 50% fertilizer rates, mean fruit size (g/fruit) was largest with MWP compost, intermediate with RDF compost, and smallest without compost. With 100% fertilizer, mean fruit size was larger with either compost than without compost. Composts combined with low rates of fertilizer generally produced higher pepper yields than other treatments. Residual compost increased yields of a subsequent cucumber crop. Yields from pepper plants without fertilizer were higher when soil was amended with composts with added MWP or RDF, but, with fertilizer, yields were similar or only slightly increased.
`Waimanalo Long' eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), `Kahala' soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], `Jumbo Virginia' peanut (Arachis hypogea L.), `Waimanalo Red' sweet potato [Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam.], and `Green Mignonette' semihead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were field-grown in two seasons at Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii, in the open sun and with four artificially produced levels of shade (30%, 47%, 63%, and 73%). Yields and vegetative growth of eggplant, soybean, peanut, and sweet potato decreased linearly with increasing shade levels. Compared to unshaded controls, yields of semihead lettuce increased significantly under 30% shade in Fall 1986. During Spring 1987, lettuce yields were reduced only slightly from unshaded levels by increasing shade up to 47%. Leaf areas of index leaves of eggplant, soybean, and lettuce were similar to unshaded controls as shade intensity increased, while leaf dry weight decreased under shade. By comparison, both leaf area and leaf dry weight of peanut index leaves decreased as shade increased. Leaf area and leaf dry weight of sweet potato did not respond to shading. The results indicate that, of the five crops studied, only lettuce can be grown successfully under lightly shaded conditions and still receive enough radiant energy for maximum photosynthesis and yields.
`Green Mignonette', `Salinas', `Parris Island Cos', and `Amaral 400' lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.); `WR-55 Days' Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Pekinensis Group); Waianae Strain' green mustard cabbage [Brassica juncea (L.) Czerniak]; `Tastie Hybrid' head cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata Group); and an unnamed local selection of green bunching onions (Allium fistulosum L.) were field-grown during Fall 1987 and Spring 1988 at Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii, in full-sun and with four artificially produced levels of shade (30%, 47%, 63%, and 73%). Yields of cos lettuce, green mustard cabbage, and green bunching onions were irresponsive to shade or negatively affected by shade in both seasons. Yield responses of the other crops to shade varied seasonally. Optimum shading of 30% to 47% increased `Green Mignonette', `Salinas', and `Amaral 400' lettuce yields by 36% and head cabbage and Chinese cabbage yields by 23% and 21%, respectively, compared to full-sun plots in one or both seasons. Leaf areas similar to unshaded controls were maintained as shade intensity increased, while leaf dry weight decreased in all crops except `Salinas' and `Parris Island Cos' lettuce. Maximum rates of net photosynthesis (Pn) were attained at 1500 umol·s-1·m-2, which was about two-thirds of full sunlight.
A 3-year field study conducted on an Eel silt loam soil (Aquic Udifluvent) compared cabbage (Brussica oleracea L. capitata group), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) for their growth and yield response to an artificially compacted soil layer beginning at about the 10-cm depth. Slower growing cabbage seedlings in compacted plots were more subject to flea beetle damage than the uncompacted controls. Prolonged flooding after heavy rainfall events in compacted areas had a more adverse effect on cabbage and snap bean than on cucumber or sweet corn. Sweet corn showed almost no growth reduction in one of the three years (1993) when relatively high fertilizer rates were applied and leaf nitrogen deficiencies in compacted plots were prevented. Maturity of cabbage, snap bean, and cucumber was delayed, and the average reduction in total marketable yield in (direct-seeded) compacted plots was 73%, 49%, 41%, and 34% for cabbage, snap bean, cucumber and sweet corn, respectively. Yield reduction in transplanted cabbage (evaluated in 1993 only) was 29%. In a controlled environment greenhouse experiment using the same soil type and similar compaction treatment as the field study, compaction caused a reduction in total biomass production of 30% and 14% in snap bean and cabbage, respectively, while cucumber and sweet corn showed no significant response. The growth reductions of snap bean and cabbage in the greenhouse could not be attributed to compaction effects on soil water status, leaf turgor, nutrient deficiency, or net CO, assimilation rate of individual leaves. Root growth of sweet corn was least restricted by the compacted soil layer. The contrast between our field and greenhouse results indicates that the magnitude of yield response to compaction in the field was often associated with species sensitivity to secondary effects of compaction, such as prolonged flooding after rainfall events, reduced nutrient availability or uptake, and prolonged or more severe pest pressure.