Influence of soil mulches and method of crop establishment on growth and yields of pumpkins

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Waterer
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Crop Establishment ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Crop Maturity

Management methods that speed crop establishment, growth and maturity are essential to the efficient production of warm season vegetable crops in regions with short, cool growing seasons. This study examined the influence of method of crop establishment and the use of plastic soil mulches on yields and crop maturity of two cultivars of pumpkins over two cropping seasons in central Saskatchewan. Transplanting did not improve stand establishment over direct seeding but enhanced yields without influencing crop maturity. Plastic mulches improved stand establishment and fruit yields relative to a non-mulched control. Clear mulch was superior to black plastic in some cases. Both cropping seasons were unusually favorable for pumpkin production, which may have obscured the benefits expected for transplanting or mulching. Key words: Pumpkins, Cucumis pepo, seeding, transplanting, mulches, maturity, yields

scholarly journals Yields and Economics of High Tunnels for Production of Warm-season Vegetable Crops

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Waterer
Keyword(s):  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Multiple Cropping ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Production Area ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Low Tunnels

Crop development rates, yields and production economics for muskmelon (Cucumis melo), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) grown in high tunnels [4.3 m wid × 2.5 m high × 29 m long (14 × 8 × 96 ft)] were compared to standard low tunnels over several cropping seasons in a temperate production area. The polyethylene-covered high tunnels protect several rows of crop for the duration of the cropping season. Air temperatures in the high tunnels were controlled by raising the sides of the tunnel. Low tunnels cover only a single row and must be removed soon after the crop is established to prevent overcrowding or overheating. When the low tunnels were in place, rates of accumulation of growing-degree days (GDDs) and early crop growth were comparable in the two tunnel systems. However, once the low tunnels were removed, the accumulation of GDDs in the high tunnels exceeded the standard system. The crops in the high tunnels matured 1 to 2 weeks earlier and produced substantially greater fruit yields before frost than in the low tunnel treatments. The high tunnels provided little frost protection and were of limited utility for extension of the growing season. The high tunnels were much more costly to purchase and construct than the low tunnels but were durable enough to be used for multiple cropping seasons. Based on wholesale commodity prices, it would take 2 to 5 years for the enhanced gross returns obtained with the high tunnels to cover their higher capital costs.

scholarly journals Effect of Soil Mulches and Herbicides on Production Economics of Warm Season Vegetable Crops in a Cool Climate

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Waterer
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cucumis Melo ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Production Economics ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Cool Climate

The efficacy and cost efficiency of using various plastic soil mulches in the production of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), corn (Zea mays L.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were examined over four growing seasons in Saskatchewan, Canada. Clear mulch with or without preemergent herbicides was compared with black or wavelength selective mulches. In all three crops, mulches enhanced yields relative to bare ground in most site-year combinations. Clear mulch usually produced the highest yields. Herbicides applied under the clear plastic provided effective weed control with no observable changes in product efficacy or toxicity to the crop. The weed control provided by the herbicides had no effect on yields in the clear mulch treatments. Consequently, clear mulch without added herbicide usually represented the most cost-effective production option for all three crops.

scholarly journals Stand Establishment in Plasticulture Systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Orzolek
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Plant Establishment ◽  
Snap Bean ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Soil Temperature And Moisture

Plasticulture enables growers to optimize establishment of vegetable and fruit crops under nonoptimum conditions and in locations with short growing seasons. Generally, warm-season crops such as muskmelon, pepper, and tomato, are established from transplants to decrease the time to maturity in the field. Directly seeding vegetables such as sweet corn, cucumber, and snap bean through plastic allows for optimum soil temperature and moisture to ensure maximum seed germination and subsequent seedling emergence. Mechanized transplanting or seeding of vegetables in plasticulture is available and successful if a firm, flat bed with plastic firmly stretched over the bed is formed and specific crop requirements are followed during establishment. Common mistakes made with plant establishment in plasticulture are discussed.

Effects of duration of coverage with spunbonded polyester rowcovers on growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Waterer
Keyword(s):  
Capsicum Annuum ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Yield Responses

Transparent rowcovers installed at transplanting and removed as growing conditions improve are commonly employed to promote development of warm-season vegetable crops. In regions with a brief and cool growing season, short-stature warm-season crops such as peppers could potentially benefit from being kept under the rowcovers for extended periods after transplanting. This study examined the influence of duration of coverage with spunbonded polyester rowcovers on vegetative growth, fruit yields and degree of fruit maturity of bell peppers over the 1999, 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons in Saskatchewan, Canada. Eight-week-old transplants of several cultivars of pepper were covered for 6 wk or 10 wk after transplanting or for the duration of the growing season. All growth and yield responses to the duration of coverage were consistent across the cultivars tested. In 1999, extending the period of coverage reduced aboveground vegetative growth of the crop, otherwise vegetative growth was not influenced by the duration of coverage. During the relatively cool 2000 cropping season, the duration of coverage had no effect on fruit yields or the proportion of the fruit that matured to red prior to frost. By contrast, in the warmer 1999 and 2001 cropping seasons, fruit yields declined as the duration of coverage increased. Excessively high temperatures interfere with fruit set in peppers. These results suggest that the risk of exposing the crop to excessively high temperatures may be increased by extending the period of coverage into the warmer periods of the growing season. Extending the period of coverage beyond the standard 6 wk also required additional labor and occasionally exacerbated problems with weeds and insect pests. Key words: Rowcovers, microclimate, ripening, pepper, Capsicum annuum

Influence of planting date and row covers on yields and crop values for bell peppers in Saskatchewan

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Waterer
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Early Planting ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Crop Development ◽  
Bell Peppers ◽  
Premium Price ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Crop Maturity

In 1989 and 1990, bell peppers transplanted into the field in mid-May, late May or early June were grown with a black plastic soil mulch and no cover (NC) or under tunnels of perforated clear polyethylene (PT) or spunbonded polyester (ST). The ST treatment provided several degrees of frost protection, whereas the PT treatment appeared to increase the crop’s susceptibility to frost damage. Early planting had little effect on total fruit yields but did accelerate the harvest. In both years, the ST accelerated crop maturity and increased total fruit yields relative to the noncovered treatment. At times the PT improved crop development and increased fruit yields, but in many cases it reduced fruit yields relative to the noncovered treatment. By promoting early fruit set and development, early planting under the spunbonded row covers significantly enhanced the value of the crop, as early peppers command a premium price in Saskatchewan. Cumulative crop values for the PT treatments were generally similar to or poorer than those for the noncovered control.Key words: Bell pepper, Capsicum annuum, planting date, row covers, frost

Response of some vegetable crops to soil-applied halides

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Sheppard ◽  
W. G. Evenden
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Competitive Interaction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Tissue Concentrations ◽  
Industrial Pollutants ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Corn Kernels ◽  
Key Words Fluoride

The halide elements are environmentally important and share some common attributes. The heaviest, I, and the lighest, F, are quite toxic and are important industrial pollutants. They are also effectively retained in soils. The others, Cl and Br, can be accumulated to high concentrations in plants, are used in agriculture and are highly mobile in soils. This study investigated the behaviour of the halides in plots, outdoor lysimeters, and laboratory sorption and excised-root experiments. Sorption on soil was ordered as F > I > Br > Cl. Concentrations in plants were generally ordered as CI ≥ Br > > F ≥ I, the inverse of the sorption ordering, as expected. Older tissues, which were also closest to the soil surface, had higher concentrations, and sequestered tissues, such as corn kernels and cabbage heads, had lower concentrations. There was evidence of competitive interaction among the halides and with soil anions such as phosphate and sulfate. This competition reduced the toxicity of I and modified tissue concentrations of the halides, P and S. Another interesting interaction was an increase in Cl and I sorption on soil solids when there were elevated levels or the other halides. Overall, the study of the halides in combination enhanced our understanding of their individual behaviours. Key words: Fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, vegetable

Restoring Native Plant Communities in Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis)–Dominated Grasslands

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt A. Bahm ◽  
Thomas G. Barnes ◽  
Kent C. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Untreated Plot ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Smooth Brome ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Native Seed ◽  
Herbicide Treatments

AbstractSmooth brome (Bromus inermis) is an introduced, cool-season perennial, sod-forming grass that has been shown to invade both native cool-and warm-season grasslands throughout North America. During the fall of 2005 through spring 2007, we implemented a smooth brome removal study at five sites in eastern South Dakota. Sites were selected to represent a range of soil and environmental conditions. Seven fall herbicide treatments, five spring herbicide treatments, an untreated plot that was planted with a native seed mix, and an untreated control that received no herbicide or seed addition were applied at each location in fall 2005/spring 2006 and fall 2006/spring 2007. Based upon first-year results, three fall herbicide treatments and two spring herbicide treatments were added in fall 2006/spring 2007. Sites were seeded with a native plant mix within 2 wk following spring herbicide treatment. Smooth brome cover in untreated plots ranged from 73 to 99% at the conclusion of the study. Smooth brome cover on herbicide-treated plots ranged from 0 to 84% on 2005/2006 plots and 0 to 98% on 2006/2007 plots after three growing seasons. Native plant response varied by site and treatment, possibly due to competition from exotic weeds. Although several herbicides show promise for control of smooth brome, future response of native plants will be important in determining the proper timing and herbicide combination.

scholarly journals Seasonal Drought Pattern Changes Due to Climate Variability: Case Study in Afghanistan

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishanch Qutbudin ◽  
Mohammed Sanusi Shiru ◽  
Ahmad Sharafati ◽  
Kamal Ahmed ◽  
Nadhir Al-Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Drought ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Trend Test ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Return Periods ◽  
Seasonal Drought ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Drought Pattern ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Global Precipitation

We assessed the changes in meteorological drought severity and drought return periods during cropping seasons in Afghanistan for the period of 1901 to 2010. The droughts in the country were analyzed using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). Global Precipitation Climatology Center rainfall and Climate Research Unit temperature data both at 0.5° resolutions were used for this purpose. Seasonal drought return periods were estimated using the values of the SPEI fitted with the best distribution function. Trends in climatic variables and SPEI were assessed using modified Mann–Kendal trend test, which has the ability to remove the influence of long-term persistence on trend significance. The study revealed increases in drought severity and frequency in Afghanistan over the study period. Temperature, which increased up to 0.14 °C/decade, was the major factor influencing the decreasing trend in the SPEI values in the northwest and southwest of the country during rice- and corn-growing seasons, whereas increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall were the cause of a decrease in SPEI during wheat-growing season. We concluded that temperature plays a more significant role in decreasing the SPEI values and, therefore, more severe droughts in the future are expected due to global warming.

RESIDUES OF CHLORPYRIPHOS AND LEPTOPHOS IN THREE FIELD-TREATED VEGETABLE CROPS

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-137
Author(s):  
H. E. BRAUN ◽  
R. FRANK ◽  
F. L. McEWEN
Keyword(s):  
Allium Cepa ◽  
Daucus Carota ◽  
Hydrolysis Product ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Latuca Sativa ◽  
Crop Maturity

Residues of chlorpyriphos and leptophos were determined in lettuce (Latuca sativa var. capita L.), onions (Allium cepa var. viviparum Metz), and carrots (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.) treated with two and three applications of the insecticides at rates of 0.6 to 2.4 kg/ha. The first application was made before seeding and the second and third applications were made to the emerged and established seedling, respectively. Mean residues of chlorpyriphos at crop maturity ranged from 0.002 to 0.019 ppm in lettuce, 0.002 to 0.010 ppm in onions, and 0.006 to 0.032 ppm in carrots; residues of leptophos in the marketable vegetable ranged from 0.001 to 0.015 ppm in lettuce, 0.002 to 0.013 ppm in onions, and 0.001 to 0.012 ppm in carrots. The respective oxygen analogs could not be detected in any samples. The phenolic hydrolysis product of chlorpyriphos (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol) was analyzed in carrots and was not detectable to a limit of 0.005 ppm.

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