scholarly journals Potato Leafhopper Control and Plastic Mulch Culture in Organic Potato Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Maletta ◽  
Melvin Henninger ◽  
Kristian Holmstrom
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Silicon Dioxide ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Potato Leafhopper ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Organic Potato ◽  
Potato Yields ◽  
Certified Organic

Control tactics for potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) in certified organic potato (Solanum tuberosum) production were evaluated in 2003 and 2004. The 2004 split plot trial also compared silver plastic mulch culture with bare ground culture. The trials were conducted at the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm's certified organic fields, and production practices conformed to the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP). `Superior' potato was grown both years. Potato leafhopper (PLH) controls evaluated were: kaolin, pyrethrin, pyrethrin plus kaolin (2003), pyrethrin with silicon dioxide (2004), and silver plastic mulch (2003). Pyrethrin, pyrethrin plus kaolin, and pyrethrin with silicon dioxide reduced PLH nymph counts and PLH damage (hopperburn) ratings compared with the untreated check (UTC). Kaolin did not reduce nymph counts or hopperburn ratings. In 2003, nymph counts and hopperburn ratings were higher in the mulch treatment than in the UTC, yet the mulch treatment produced higher yield than the UTC. In 2004, mulch culture increased total and marketable yield compared with bare ground culture when PLH was controlled. Nymph counts and hopperburn ratings were higher until mid-July in the mulch plots than bare ground plots with the UTC and kaolin treatments. Controlling PLH and using plastic mulch culture significantly increased organic potato yields and tuber size. Marketable yields from the UTC were less than the New Jersey average of 275 cwt/acre for conventionally grown potato: yield was 38% of average on bare ground and 68% of average on mulch in 2003; 33% of average on bare ground and 38% of average on mulch in 2004. Reducing hopperburn with pyrethrin on plants grown on mulch (2004) resulted in marketable yield that was 75% of the New Jersey average.

scholarly journals (414) Evaluation of Potato Leafhopper Control and Plastic Mulch Culture for Organic Potato Production

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1071C-1071
Author(s):  
Martha Maletta ◽  
Melvin Henninger ◽  
Kristian Holmstrom
Keyword(s):  
Potato Cultivar ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Potato Leafhopper ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Organic Potato ◽  
Potato Yields ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
National Organic Program

Potato leafhopper (PLH) control and plastic mulch culture for certified organic potato production were evaluated in 2003 and 2004. The trials were conducted on the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm's certified organic fields. Production practices conformed to the National Organic Program. The potato cultivar grown was `Superior'. In 2003, PLH controls were: untreated control (UTC); Surround WP, 25 lb/acre; PyGanic EC 1.4, 1 pt/acre; Surround plus PyGanic; and silver plastic mulch. PyGanic and Surround/PyGanic treatment reduced PLH nymph counts and damage (hopperburn–HB), when compared to the UTC. Counts were higher and HB more severe in silver mulch plots than in the UTC, but marketable yield was more than double the UTC. PyGanic and Surround/PyGanic treatment yields were 50% higher than the UTC. In 2004, PLH controls were: PyGanic EC 1.4, 1–2 pt/acre; Diatect V, 2–4 lb/acre; and Surround WP, 25 lb/acre. The crop was grown on bare ground or silver plastic mulch. Nymph counts and HB were lowest on PyGanic- and Diatect-treated plots. Nymph counts and HB for UTC and Surround treatment were higher on plastic mulch than bare ground plots. Marketable yield was highest from PyGanic-treated plots. PyGanic or Diatect treatment yields were higher from plastic mulched than from bare ground plots. The PLH control and plastic mulch culture significantly increased organic potato yields. Marketable yield from the UTC was lower than the New Jersey average for conventional potato (275 hundred wt/acre) by 71% on bare ground and by 39% with plastic mulch in 2003; 59% on bare ground; and 52% with plastic mulch in 2004. PLH control with PyGanic combined with plastic mulch culture resulted in yields just 7% less than the state average; yield on bare ground was 26% less.

scholarly journals (29) Effects of Colored Plastic Mulches on Bell Pepper Yield and Fruit Characteristics

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1075D-1076
Author(s):  
Maurice Ogutu
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fruit Characteristics ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Capsicum Annum ◽  
Bell Peppers

A study was carried out to compare the effects of different colored plastic mulches (black smooth, red, black embossed, blue, olive, yellow, clear, white, and reflective) and bare ground on bell peppers (Capsicum annum) yield and fruit characteristics. Pepper varieties `Crusader' (2004 trial) and `Boynton Bell F1' (2005 trial) seeds were planted in flats filled with Jiffy Mix in a greenhouse in late Apr. 2004 and 2005, and the seedlings transplanted in early June 2004 and 2005, respectively. In 2004, pepper fruits were harvested once in early September, and reflective and black embossed plastic mulch treatments had higher U.S. No. 1 fruit weight than other treatments. Pepper fruits harvested from reflective plastic mulch treatment were longer and larger than fruits in other treatments. In 2005, pepper fruits were harvested three times in late September to early October, and plants grown in reflective and red plastic mulch treatments had higher Fancy fruit weights while olive and white plastic mulch treatments had higher U.S. No. 1 fruit weights than other treatments. Fruits from reflective and red plastic mulch treatments were longer and larger than fruits from other treatments. The total marketable yield (Fancy and U.S. No. 1 fruit weight combined) was higher in olive, reflective, white, and red plastic mulch treatments. In comparison with black embossed plastic mulch, plants grown in reflective and olive plastic mulches had higher yield in 2004. However, in 2005, yield followed the same trend, with plants grown in olive, white, and reflective plastic mulches having higher yield than other treatments.

scholarly journals Performance of Sweetpotato Cultivars Grown Using Biodegradable Black Plastic Mulch in New Hampshire

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Sideman
Keyword(s):  
New Hampshire ◽  
Ipomoea Batatas ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Biodegradable Mulch ◽  
Small Roots ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Variable Performance

We evaluated the performance of several sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars grown on raised beds covered with biodegradable black mulch in New Hampshire. Six cultivars were evaluated over 4 years, and an additional four cultivars were evaluated in 2 or 3 years. Cultivars showed significant differences in marketable yield, percent cull, and percent small roots. The cultivars Covington and B94-14 Beauregard consistently produced high yields, whereas Vardaman consistently produced the lowest yields. ‘Georgia Jet’ exhibited variable performance, with marketable yields among the highest in 1 year and the lowest in another, largely because of a high percentage of cull roots due to severe cracking. Yields measured in our study compare favorably with average U.S. yields, with several cultivars producing over 400 50-lb bushels/acre in all years in which they were grown. In a 2-year study with the cultivar Beauregard, biodegradable mulch increased overall yields (marketable, cull, and small roots) as compared with bare ground production on raised beds. However, the percentage of culled roots was higher in mulch treatments, primarily due to breakage during digging, and the observed increases in marketable yields were not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Optimum Planting Configuration for High Population Plasticulture Grown Cabbage

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 1472-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Barrett ◽  
Lincoln Zotarelli ◽  
Lucas G. Paranhos ◽  
Brian S. Taylor ◽  
Peter Dittmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plant Population ◽  
High Population ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Plant Populations

Florida is a major fresh-market cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) producing state in the United States. The current cabbage production system relies on bare ground and subirrigation that requires a large volume of water to irrigate the crop. The bare ground system facilitates a maximum of 48,438 plant/ha, while there is a potential to increase plant population per area using plasticulture and drip irrigation. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimum cabbage plant population and plant arrangement that maximizes marketable yield per area for a high cabbage population plasticulture system. Cabbage was grown on 1.2-m-wide raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation. Plants were grown in either three or four rows with in-row plant spacings ranging from 15 to 35 cm and plant populations ranging from 41,518 to 129,167 plants/ha. Cabbage marketable yield increased as in-row spacing increased. Yields ranged from 19.7 to 69.7 Mg·ha−1. Marketable yield was not different between 3 and 4 rows for in-row spacings above 25 cm. The 15 and 20 cm in-row spacing produced significantly lower yields in the 4-row configuration as compared with the 3-row configuration in Fall and Winter 2011. Wider in-row spacings produced a greater percentage of heads of marketable size while reducing the percentage of small heads when compared with narrower in-row spacings. Mean head weight increased as in-row spacing increased and a 3- or 4-row configuration with an in-row spacing between 25 and 30 cm had consistently high yields in all three seasons compared with narrower in-row plant spacings. These results indicated that with a high population plasticulture system variable plant populations could be selected. In-row plant spacings between 30 and 35 cm may be beneficial for early plantings while a 25-cm spacing could be more productive for later plantings, especially when weather conditions are favorable.

Differentiation of potato ecosystems on the basis of relationships among physical, chemical and biological soil parameters

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Boiteau ◽  
C. Goyer ◽  
H. W. Rees ◽  
B. J. Zebarth
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Potato Field ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
High Soil ◽  
Organic Potato ◽  
Certified Organic

Boiteau, G., Goyer, C., Rees, H. W. and Zebarth, B. J. 2014. Differentiation of potato ecosystems on the basis of relationships among physical, chemical and biological soil parameters. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 463–476. A study of soil physical, chemical and biological properties of five cultivated agro-ecosystems (two conventional potato, two organic potato and one cereal production systems) and two uncultivated agro-ecosystems (pasture and 20-yr abandoned potato field) was carried out at 21 field sites over 3 yr in New Brunswick, Canada. Twenty-four of the initial 42 variables chosen for their significant response to differences among farming systems were used in a principal component analysis to understand their relationships with the agro-ecosystems studied. The chemical, physical and biological soil properties considered contributed to a single dominant factor (PCI) of agricultural soil health representing soil organic matter dynamics. Conventional, uncertified organic and certified organic potato agro-ecosystems were lowest, intermediate and highest, respectively, on the PCI gradient. Conventional potato systems were characterized by high erosion, high soil bulk density, high soil test sulphur and phosphorus and high bacterial counts. Certified organic potato systems formed a separate group with the reference ecosystems (i.e., pasture and abandoned potato field under long-term rejuvenation). This group was characterized by high soil organic carbon, high soil aggregate stability, high soil water-holding capacity and high meso- and macro-fauna counts. The uncertified organic potato production system and organic barley system were characterized by average values, intermediate between conventional and certified organic potato systems. Results confirmed the strong negative impact of intensive cycles of conventional potato production on soil health. The clear separation observed between conventional, uncertified organic and organic potato ecosystems indicates that the positive impact of rotations and other management practices must be sustained over long periods for full rehabilitation of soils previously under intensive potato production. However, results also revealed that fields under organic certified potato production were retaining the properties of undisturbed reference sites such as pastures and abandoned potato fields under long-term rejuvenation.

Banded herbicides and cultivation for weed control in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry A. Ivany
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Wild Radish ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Ground Crack ◽  
Elytrigia Repens ◽  
Potato Yields ◽  
Weeds Control

Increasing costs of production have resulted in intensified efforts to reduce the amount of herbicides applied in potato production. This research evaluated the potential of applying herbicides in 30-cm-wide bands over the potato row in combination with cultivation between the potato rows to achieve weed control. At a moderate to high infestation of quackgrass and annual broadleaf weeds, control of quackgrass, corn spurry and wild radish was as effective with the banded herbicide + cultivation treatments as with the broadcast herbicide treatment. Potato marketable yields from the banded herbicide + cultivation treatments were comparable to the broadcast herbicide application treatment. A single cultivation at 21 d after planting (DAP) (at ground crack), 28 DAP (potatoes 5 to 10 cm tall) or 35 DAP (potatoes 10 to 15 cm tall) did not give adequate weed control, and potato yields were reduced by 30% or more at all times of cultivation compared to herbicide treatments. This study shows that acceptable weed control without effects on marketable yield is possible by using a 30-cm-wide herbicide band over the row followed by cultivation to remove weeds between the row. The amount of herbicide used per hectare with this technique is reduced by 66% compared to a broadcast herbicide application. Key words: Herbicide, potato, quackgrass, Elytrigia repens L. (Nevski), corn spurry (Spergula arvensis L.), wild radish (Raphanis raphanistrum L.), cultivation

scholarly journals Phytoseiids as potential natural enemies of potato psyllids in organic potato production in South Texas, USA

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement1) ◽  
pp. S137-S145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul T. VILLANUEVA ◽  
Gabriela ESPARZA-DIAZ ◽  
Cal W. WELBOURN
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Organic Potato

Occurrence and Dispersal of Indicator Bacteria on Cucumbers Grown Horizontally or Vertically on Various Mulch Types

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 1663-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHIRLEY A. MICALLEF ◽  
MARY THERESA CALLAHAN ◽  
SIVARANJANI PAGADALA
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Dispersal Patterns ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Thermotolerant Coliforms ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT No data exist on the impact of cultivation practices on food safety risks associated with cucumber. Cucumbers are typically grown horizontally over a mulch cover, with fruit touching the ground, but this vining plant grows well in vertical systems. To assess whether production system affects bacterial dispersal onto plants, field trials were conducted over 2 years. Cucumber cultivar ‘Marketmore 76’ was grown horizontally on plastic, straw, or bare ground or vertically on trellises installed on bare ground in soil previously amended with raw dairy manure. Fruit, flower, leaf, and soil samples were collected to quantify Escherichia coli, thermotolerant coliforms, and enterococci by direct plating. E. coli isolates were characterized by BOX-PCR to evaluate relatedness among strains. Although thermotolerant coliforms and enterococci were significantly less abundant on fruit in year 1 (P < 0.05), this result was not seen in year 2 when more rain was recorded. Instead, fruit from straw-mulched beds had higher levels of enterococci compared with fruit grown on bare ground (P < 0.05). Leaves on bare ground occasionally had more bacteria than did leaves on plastic mulch beds (P < 0.05). Production system did not impact flower-associated bacterial levels. E. coli isolates (n =127) were genotyped, generating 21 distinct fingerprints. Vertical production did not appear to be a barrier for E. coli dispersal to the crop, as suggested by numerous related isolates from soil and flowers on bare ground, straw-mulched, and trellised beds (subcluster B1). None of the isolates from soil and flowers in this subcluster were related to isolates recovered from fruit, showing that flower colonization does not necessarily lead to fruit colonization. One cluster of isolates contained those from flowers and fruits but not soil, indicating a source other than manure-amended soil. Straw may be a source of E. coli; a number of closely related E. coli isolates were retrieved from soil and fruits from straw-mulched beds. Our approach revealed E. coli dispersal patterns and could be used to assess bacterial transmission in other production systems.

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