scholarly journals Evaluation of Tomato Varieties under Organic Production Practices in Georgia

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Suzzanne Tate ◽  
Ryan McNeill ◽  
Jeffrey McConnaughey
Keyword(s):  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
High Yields ◽  
National Organic Program

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular crop among organic growers, particularly open-pollinated varieties; however, there is a lack of information evaluating these varieties in comparison with commercial F1 hybrids. This study was undertaken to compare conventionally produced commercial F1 tomato varieties available in the southeastern United States with open-pollinated varieties popular among organic growers. Nineteen tomato varieties were evaluated in 2011 and 2012 using the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program guidelines; however, the land used had not been in 3 years of organic production. Staked tomatoes were grown on plastic mulch. Data collected included early and total graded yield. In general, F1 hybrid, determinate or semideterminate varieties, had the best early and total yields compared with open-pollinated varieties. HSX 8115H and ‘Celebrity’ had the highest early total yield. ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’, an open-pollinated variety, also had good early total yield, but significantly less than HSX 8115H or ‘Celebrity’. ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’ was the only open-pollinated variety among the five highest yielding varieties for early total yield. In addition, ‘Celebrity’ had the greatest total yield of all the entries tested. All of the top five varieties for total yield were F1 hybrids and either determinate or semideterminate types. ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’ had total yield of 22,046 lb/acre, which was 14.3% lower than the lowest yielding variety in the top five yielding varieties. ‘Florida Pink’ had the largest average fruit weight, which also had the lowest total yield of all the entries. Although the open-pollinated varieties, popular among organic and local growers, yielded less than F1 hybrids, they may possess characteristics of color, flavor, or texture that are desired and were not evaluated in this study. This may be an opportunity for plant breeders to develop varieties desired by local organic growers that have unique characteristics, in addition to high yields and disease resistance.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Watermelon Varieties under Organic Production Practices in Georgia

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Ryan McNeill ◽  
Suzanne Stone
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Solids Content

Organic production is a fast-growing sector of agriculture in need of variety evaluations under their unique production systems. This study evaluated 16 watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) varieties for their performance characteristics under organic production practices. Plants were grown on plastic mulch-covered beds on land that had been certified organic in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program. Six of the entries were F1 hybrids; the remaining entries were open-pollinated (OP) varieties. Of the 10 OP varieties, three were considered heirloom varieties, including Cream of Saskatchewan, Georgia Rattlesnake, and Moon & Stars. ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’ was the highest yielding variety and had the greatest average fruit weight. Along with ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’, ‘Nunhems 800’, ‘Nunhems 860’, ‘Orangeglo’, and ‘SSX 8585’ were included in the top five yielding varieties. The top five yielding varieties had fruit size that averaged more than 20 lb. Fruit size correlated with rind thickness, with lighter fruit having thinner rind (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.779), which is not unexpected. ‘Sangria’ had the greatest average soluble solids content at 11.2%, which was greater than all entries with soluble solids less than 10%.

scholarly journals Management Considerations for Wheat Production in Florida

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Wright ◽  
Ann R. Blount ◽  
Ron D. Barnett ◽  
Cheryl L. Mackowiak ◽  
Nicholas Dufault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Small Grains ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
High Yields

Higher wheat prices created the impetus for growing wheat in the southeastern United States. Since increasing amounts of corn have been diverted to ethanol production, there is a shortage of grain for America’s livestock industry. This shortage results in higher wheat and soybean prices. Wheat and soybean have been grown together as a double crop throughout the Southeast for many years, which generally increases profitability compared with growing only one of the crops. Planting wheat followed by cotton, peanut or grain sorghum has also become a common practice. The best management practices for high yields of wheat in the Southeast Coastal Plain are well established. This 3-page fact sheet lists production practices for small grains in Florida. Written by D.L. Wright, A.R. Blount, R.D. Barnett, C.L. Mackowiak, N. Dufault, and J. Marois, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag293

scholarly journals 2005 PERSONAL SIZE “MINI” TRIPLOID WATERMELON VARIETY TRIAL

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 510A-510
Author(s):  
Thomas Horgan ◽  
Richard Snyder ◽  
Peter Hudson ◽  
Edgar Vinson ◽  
Joseph Kemble
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plant Spacing ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Variety Trial ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Triploid Watermelon ◽  
Soluble Solids Concentration

Ten “mini” or personal size seedless watermelons were evaluated at three locations: north and central Mississippi and in central Alabama. `Betsy', `Bobbie', `Demi-Sweet', `Extazy', `Mini Yellow', `Petite Treat', `Solitaire', `Valdoria', `Vanessa', and `Wonder' were the cultivars trialed. Seedlings were started, in a greenhouse, four weeks before planting. All locations used drip irrigation and black plastic mulch and were fertilized according to soil testing lab recommendations. A personal size diploid (seeded) variety, `Jenny', was used as the pollinator. One pollinator was planted, and interspaced evenly, for every three triploid plants. Four harvests were made at each location on 7-day intervals. Yields reported are based on 2,074 triploid plants per acre and 1,037 pollinizer plants per acre. Only the triploid yield reported. Plant spacing was 14 ft2 per plant. For total yield (lb/acre) the cultivars `Petite Treat' (27,210), `Valdoria' (25,700), and `Demi-Sweet' (26,400) were among the top producers at each location. `Mini Yellow' was a top producer at all locations averaging 22,480 lb/acre. For total yield (fruit/acre) the cultivars `Valdoria' (3,380), `Petite Treat' (3,470), `Bobbie' (3,470), `Betsy' (3,380), and `Vanessa' (2,740), were among the top producers at each location. For total yield (lb/fruit) `Betsy' (6.9), `Wonder' (6.7), and `Vanessa' (6.1) had the overall lowest individual fruit weights. `Demi-Sweet' had the highest individual fruit weight in central Alabama (10.0) and north Mississippi (8.8). One problem observed was that a number of melons among cultivars were above or below size class. Also determining melon ripeness was a challenge. Melon quality was good. The soluble solids concentration (sweetness) of all melons was excellent. `Demi-Sweet' had the highest incidence of hollowheart. `Wonder' and `Extazy' had no incidences of hollowheart at any location. Rind thickness had no significant differences, however in both locations measured `Mini Yellow' had the thinnest rind. Rind necrosis was not encountered.

scholarly journals A Comparison of 13 Sweet Pepper Varieties under an Organic Farming System

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Cecilia McGregor ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Johannah Biang ◽  
David Berle
Keyword(s):  
Capsicum Annuum ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Sweet Pepper ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
King Arthur ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Organic Farming System

There is a dearth of information on pepper (Capsicum annuum) variety production under organic conditions; therefore, a randomized complete block designed experiment of 13 pepper varieties were evaluated in 2016 and 2017 using organic production practices on land managed organically for the 6 previous years. Total yield, graded yield, and early yield were the main factors of interest. There were by-year interactions, so the data were analyzed separately for each year. All of the peppers evaluated except for ‘Sweet Chocolate’ were bell pepper types. The average total yield was 1229 and 1754 boxes/acre (28 lb/box) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences for total yield or early total yield in 2016. In 2017, the top five highest yielding varieties were Aristotle X3R®, Gridiron, King Arthur, Flavorburst, and Blitz. With the exception of ‘Flavorburst’, all of these entries were among the highest yielding for fancy fruit (≥3 inches diameter and 3.5 inches length). The greatest early yield in 2017 included ‘Aristotle X3R®’, ‘Flavorburst’, ‘Touchdown’, ‘Islander’, and ‘Gridiron’. In 2017, early yields of fancy fruit greater than 100 boxes/acre included ‘Aristotle X3R®’, ‘Red Knight X3R®’, ‘Blitz’, and ‘Gridiron’.

scholarly journals Heirloom Tomato Production in Conventional and Transitional-organic Managed Systems

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1034-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Francis ◽  
C. Robert Stark,
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Conventional Culture ◽  
Cloudy Weather ◽  
Main Plot ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Demand for heirloom tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and organically grown produce is increasing. The objective of this research was to compare heirloom tomato production in conventional (CS) and organic-transitional (OS) production systems. Heirloom cultivars Arkansas Traveler–the original, Cherokee Purple, Kentucky Beefsteak, Manulucie, and Persimmon Orange were grown in 2007 and 2008 on a raised bed, microirrigated, black plastic mulch culture in a split-plot design with production system as the main plot. Inorganic fertilizer at 160N–13P–50K kg·ha−1 [NH4NO3, Ca(H2PO4)2, KCl] or poultry litter (PL) at 5600 kg·ha−1 was applied in March and soil-incorporated. Transplanting occurred on 12 Apr. 2007 and 22 Apr. 2008. PL supplied 194N–133P–183K and 145N–83P–171K kg·ha−1 potential in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Overall, there were no system effects on total marketable fruit weight, marketable fruit numbers, average fruit weights, total cull weights, or percent marketable yields. Marketable yields averaged across systems ranged from 8,457 to 13,550 kg·ha−1 in 2007 and 1,224 to 5,974 kg·ha−1 in 2008. Weather-delayed transplanting followed by wet and cloudy weather in April and May and greater incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were suspected for lower yields in 2008. Petiole sap nitrate-N of whole plot treatments were considered within sufficiency levels for both systems when checked at pre- and early harvest. Soil pH of the CS dropped from 7.2 to 5.6 after two seasons but did not change in the OS. Organic production of heirloom tomatoes using PL yielded equivalently to conventional culture for 2 years after transition from conventional management.

scholarly journals Response of Long- and Short-vine Tropical Pumpkins to Varying Cultural Practices

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 884A-884
Author(s):  
J. Irizarry-Morales ◽  
L. Wessel-Beaver ◽  
D. Maynard ◽  
G. Elmstrom
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Planting Method ◽  
Planting Distance

Three field experiments were carried out in Lajas, Puerto Rico, to compare the effects of planting method (direct and transplant), plastic mulch (with and without), and planting density (1.8 x 1.8 m, 3.6 x 0.9 m, 1.8 x 0.9 m between and within rows) on production of short-and long-vined tropical pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata). The long-vine genotype produced greater yields and larger but fewer fruit than the short-vine genotype. However, most of the planting densities tested were probably not optimum for short-vine cultivars. Direct seeding of pumpkin was more efficient than transplanting and resulted in the same early and total yield as transplanting. Yields with plastic-covered banks were similar to yields without the use of plastic. However, use of plastic mulch increased the number of fruit and decreased the average fruit weight in the plots. The best planting distance depended on the type of genotype used. The long-vine genotype had the highest yields at 1.8 x 1.8 m, while the short-vine cultivar performed best with half that amount of space per plant (1.8 x 0.9 m). Production of short-vine cultivars might be improved by using even narrower planting distances.

scholarly journals Liquid Corn and Fish Fertilizers Are Good Options for Fertigation in Blackberry Cultivars Grown in an Organic Production System

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Fernandez-Salvador ◽  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
David R. Bryla
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Production System ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Corn Steep Liquor ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

The impact of organic fertilizer source on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) cultivars (Marion and Black Diamond) grown in a machine-harvested, organic production system for the processed market was evaluated from 2011 to 2013. The planting was established in Spring 2010 using approved practices for organic production and was certified in 2012. Plants were irrigated using a dripline under a woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat) installed for weed management. Two sources of liquid fertilizer were evaluated: 1) a corn steep liquor and fish waste digestion blend (“corn”; 2.5N–1.1P–1.2K); and 2) a fish solubles and molasses blend (“fish”; 4N–0P–1.7K). Fertilizers were applied by fertigation through the drip system at rates of 56 kg·ha−1 nitrogen (N) per year in 2011–12 and 90 kg·ha−1 N in 2013. The impact of fertigation on drip system performance was evaluated with two maintenance options, “flushing” and “no flushing” of the driplines. Total yield differed among years, whereas fruit soluble solids concentration and firmness as well as floricane biomass at pruning showed a year × cultivar interaction. ‘Black Diamond’ had greater total yield and average fruit weight than ‘Marion’, but produced a greater proportion unmarketable fruit. There was no effect of fertilizer source on yield, fruit quality, primocane length, or primocanes/plant in any year with the exception of fruit weight, which was greater with corn than with fish. ‘Marion’ had a greater floricane biomass when fertilized with fish than with corn. Soil nutrients were within the recommended range, except for boron (B), which was below recommended levels. Only soil nitrate-N was affected by fertilizer source, which was greater in ‘Marion’ than in ‘Black Diamond’ when fertilized with fish. Primocane leaf tissue nutrient concentrations were within recommended levels for all nutrients, except for calcium (Ca) and B, which were below recommended standards in both cultivars. Primocane leaf potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were greater with fish than with corn. There was no fertilizer source or maintenance effect on emitter flow rate of the drip system in either year. However, flow rates decreased an average of 4.5% in the first year and 19% in the second year. Overall, there were no differences between the fertilizers on plant growth, yield, or fruit quality, and both fertilizers were suitable for planting establishment.

scholarly journals Effect of Seasons, Mulching Materials, and Fruit Quality on a Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Variety

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Olufemi Victor Ajibola ◽  
Bamidele Julius Amujoyegbe
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Cucumis Sativus L ◽  
Branch Number ◽  
Fruit Length ◽  
Plastic Mulching ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Aims: The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of seasons (early raining and late raining) and mulching materials (Black polyethylene, White polyethylene, Grass-mulch and control) on marketable fruit yield of cucumber. Study Design: The experimental design was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on plant morphology and fruit components; number of leave, vine length, branch number, tendril number, stem diameter;  number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit circumference, fruit weight, number of marketable fruits per plot and number of non-marketable fruit per plot and fruit yield per plot (converted to per hectare). Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria (located on longitude 04º33lE and latitude 08º28lN at 244 m above sea level) during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. Methodology: The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using (SAS, 2003 version). Means of significant treatments were separated using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results: The obtained results revealed that seasons and mulching materials had significant effect on some of the parameters investigated. Late season significantly enhanced the fruit length, fruit weight and total fruit yield when compared with the early seasons. The mulching materials, black polyethylene mulching materials significantly enhanced the morphology and some of fruit components; fruit length and fruit weight while white plastic mulch significantly improved the number of fruit per plant, fruit diameter and total yield of cucumber at both early and late seasons followed by grass-mulch. However, control consistently produced the highest number of non-marketable fruits when compared with other treatments investigated.  Conclusion: Therefore, planting of Poinsett76 variety towards the ending of raining seasons with the application of white plastic mulching is highly recommended for the small holder farmers.  

scholarly journals Guidelines and Acceptable Postharvest Practices for Organically Grown Produce

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Plotto ◽  
Jan A. Narciso
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizers ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Organically Grown ◽  
National Organic Program ◽  
Processing Aids

Organic foods are produced using agricultural practices that emphasize renewable resources and conservation of soil and water. Horticultural crops are grown and processed without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, ingredients and processing aids. Crops or ingredients derived from genetic engineering, and use of ionizing radiation are prohibited in organic production. The challenge is to deliver produce that has the same safety, quality and shelf life as conventional products, with a limited array of tools available for sanitation and postharvest treatments. Organic operators, professionals servicing the industry, as well as researchers involved in organic production practices, should be aware of all the points in the process of storing, handling and transforming horticultural crops where accidental contamination could occur, and thus compromise organic integrity. This presentation summarizes the major points of the National Organic Program for processing and handling, and gives suggestions for postharvest research. For example, finding organic alternatives for postharvest decay control is critical to maintain food safety. Additionally, ingredients compatible for fresh cut and produce coatings must be developed for the organic market for food safety and competitiveness.

scholarly journals Fresh Market and Long Shelf Life Tomato Response to Rowcover Treatments in a Dry Temperate Climate

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 667d-667
Author(s):  
I.G. Rubeiz ◽  
M.M. Freiwat ◽  
A.M. Chehab
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Light Transmittance ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Fruit Harvest ◽  
Total Average

Floating rowcover (R), Dupont's “Lawn and Garden Blanket”, with 75% to 80% light transmittance, was applied on black plastic mulch (M) and over transplanted seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Peto Seed's fresh market (F) `Al Wadi' and long shelf-life (L) `PSX 19392' were transplanted on 11 Apr. 1995 to drip-irrigated beds that were covered with M or not covered (C). The R was removed 4 (R1) or 5 (R2) weeks after its application. The climate is temperate with ≈200 days frost-free and 400 mm rainfall. Each cultivar was grown in a field with the treatments randomized in a complete block with four replications. Fruit harvest was done weekly for 6 weeks. Yield of the first 2 weeks was considered indicative of earliness. Yield earliness was enhanced by the shorter period treatment (R1) with the L cultivar showing more response to R1 (P < 0.05) than the F cultivar. Early average fruit weight was comparable among all treatments (P > 0.05) in both cultivars, but total average fruit weight was increased by R1 in L cultivar. (P<0.05). Total yield was comparable among the treatments in F cultivar (P > 0.05) and was lowest under M treatment in the L cultivar (P < 0.05). We recommend using R for shorter periods on tomato grown in a dry temperate climate, where clear skies can cause excess heat build up under rowcovers during day time.

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