sunlight intensity at the location where the tarp is used, both which reduce duration and intensity of UV exposure. Table 1. Sources, costs, and dimensions for new silage tarps that are commonly used for weed control on small and organic farms; tarps
Abstract
Those responsible for publicly sponsored agricultural research are frequently accused of serving only the interests of large-scale commercial agriculture and the agri-business and agri-chemical industries. Instead of denying this charge, spokesmen for federal and state research institutions often express the opinion that we must concentrate our limited research resources on the primary source of our impressive food and fiber production, which is large-scale agriculture. This kind of rhetoric has nurtured the impression that very little agricultural research is applicable to small farm or garden enterprises, because administrators of agricultural research do not consider these enterprises important. It seemed to us, therefore, that the first requirement in assessing the research and research needs of consumer horticulture was to ascertain the numerical importance of the likely beneficiaries of small farm research and the potential contribution to human welfare of such research. We chose to consider research for all small agricultural enterprises, because the same technology should apply to small, intensively cultivated plots whether they are home gardens, small commercial farms with high value crops, or subsistence farms.
A preliminary study on bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L., an exotic crop grown extensively in China and India for consumption and medicinal purposes was conducted during summer 1992. The objective of the investigation was to determine the potential of bitter gourd as an alternate corp for small farm production. On May 21, seeds were planted on hills 3 m apart. A 1.65 m high chicken-wire trellis was erected for trailing the crop. Observations on disease and insect incidence, flowering date, fruiting pattern and yield were recorded. The crop was disease free, but was infested with whitefly and stinkbug. Flowering started about 60 days after planting. The first harvest was made on August 10 and then continued three times a week for eight weeks. The fruit yield peaked during the sixth week of harvest. Average fruit length and diameter were 20 and 6 cm, respectively. Per plant average fruit number and fresh fruit weight were 87 and 12.9 kg, respectively. The preliminary results indicate that bitter gourd has a potential as an alternate crop for small farm vegetable production.
. Characteristics of seven eggplant fruit types and cultivars tested in Charleston, SC, USA. Minimal fungicide and insecticide applications were made to reproduce local production practices on small farms. In 2018, malathion (Malathion 57 EC, 1.8 kg·ha −1
An educational attempt to assist Gila River Indian Community members to return to a sustainable small-farm heritage has shown initial success after 1 year. The project uses horticultural technology to help tribal members overcome severe social concerns. The first phase addressed the needs of youth at risk through a 10-acre farm at the Gila River Indian Community Juvenile Rehabilitation and Detention Center in Sacaton, Ariz. During 1993, the farm operation leveled 10 acres of squash, corn, and watermelons; planted and cared for 200 deciduous fruit and citrus trees; and planted and cared for 150 commercial Christmas trees. Produce was either sold to community members or donated to community food centers at the schools or at homes for the elderly. The youth were led by 14 volunteers who completed an intensive training program and were certified as Master Gardeners by the Univ. of Arizona. They have donated -300 hours of time to the project. The project gave youth at risk an opportunity to learn new concepts and skills, gain exercise, and work off detention time. As tribal leadership observed the initial successes, they gave permission to address health and nutrition as well as other youth-at-risk targets within the community beginning in 1994.
Many small and part-time commercial vegetable growers in Alabama rely on rainfall to provide irrigation for their crops. This, coupled with limited financial resources, creates situations where poor-quality produce and low yields are common. Working cooperatively with county extension agents, growers that met a series of criteria and that could benefit from drip irrigation were identified. An on-farm result demonstration and educational program was developed to help combat this problem by emphasizing the importance of irrigation and introducing affordable drip irrigation systems for these growers. County agents and growers participated in an educational program, which involved a daylong course covering the basics of drip irrigation and hands-on training with all components of the drip system. Necessary background information on each site was collected and a drip irrigation system was designed for each site. Next, each grower was provided with all of the necessary materials and equipment needed to install the system. The overall flexibility in the basic design was stressed and several growers modified their systems with items that provided various levels of automation, or the capacity to fertigate. Fifteen on-farm demonstrations in 14 counties were developed ranging from 0.08 to 0.60 ha in size. Cost for this equipment (layflat, fittings, drip tape, regulators, filter) was ≈$230 per site. Success of each demonstration varied. Overall, growers were positive about using drip irrigation and that it was affordable. Most planned on continuing or expanding its use next season.
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to a) determine the effectiveness of delivery of information, b) assess existing resources of the horticultural agent, and c) determine the effectiveness of methods to receive information from clientele. Results of this research indicated that 79% of the respondents followed the recommendation regardless of the tool used to deliver the information. The recommendations given to clientele helped to solve their problem regardless of the resource used by the agent. In addition, 77% of clientele followed the recommendation regardless of the method used by the agent to receive information.
Abstract
The efficacy and economics of several weed control systems for fresh market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Pik Red’) production were compared in a 3-year field experiment. Nearly perfect weed control for 7 weeks after transplanting was required to achieve maximum yields. The increased profits associated with maximum yields more than compensated for the additional costs required to achieve optimal weed control. Under Maryland conditions, black polyethylene mulch in combination with a pretransplant incorporated application of napropamide plus pebulate and a posttransplant directed application of paraquat plus metribuzin provided the most consistent weed control and highest profit. Other profitable treatments included black polyethylene mulch in combination with other posttransplant herbicides, or with cultivation and handweeding. Treatments without black polyethylene, including a pretransplant incorporated application of napropamide plus pebulate followed by a postransplant application of metribuzin and/or cultivation, provided good weed control but did not result in yields or profits as high as those treatments with black polyethylene in 2 out of 3 years.
and local) differ from implicit ones (i.e., small-family farm and sustainable) in that explicit labels are defined by government or third-party organizations ( Kuchler et al., 2017 ) generating a clear understanding on the label ( Panzone et al., 2016