scholarly journals Off-season Strawberry Production under High Tunnel Compared to Open Field in Kansas

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 770B-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorkel Kadir* ◽  
Edward Carey
Keyword(s):  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
South Central ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Quality ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Production Experiment ◽  
Protected Plants ◽  
Black Plastic

High tunnel strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) production experiment was conducted in south central Kansas, which consisted of two cultivars and four tunnels. The same experimental design was conducted under field conditions. The objectives of this study were to compare strawberry production and quality under high tunnels to those grown in the field and to assess the potential for high tunnels for early-season strawberry production. Plug plants of `Sweet Charlie' and `Chandler' were planted October 18. Plants were spaced at 12” × 12 “in double rows on raised beds covered with black plastic mulch. Protected plants under high tunnels had 100% winter survival rate compared to 60% of the field plants. Yield and berry quality of the high tunnel plants were by far better than those of field grown plants. Plant growth under high tunnels was about three to four fold higher than the unprotected field plants. `Sweet Charlie' flowered in early February and produced berries one week earlier than `Chandler'. Both cultivars were harvest from early April through late May at weekly interval. `Sweet Charlie' in early April produced an average berry weight of 14 g, soluble solids of 8 °Brix, and the largest average berry weight was 15 g. `Chandler' harvested late April produced larger berries than `Sweet Charlie' with the largest average berry weight of 35 g compared to 31 g for `Sweet Charlie'. In mid May, `Chandler' produced 72% higher yield than `Sweet Charlie'. High tunnel not only produced higher yield and better quality berries than field strawberries but it has a potential to produce early crop and extend the season production of strawberry in Kansas.

scholarly journals Effects of Mulch Type and Planting Date on Tomato Earliness within a High Tunnel

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 867A-867
Author(s):  
Lewis Jett* ◽  
Andrew Read
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Growing Conditions

High tunnels are passive solar greenhouses that are used to extend the traditional growing season for many horticulture crops. Growing conditions within a high tunnel are significantly different from growing conditions encountered in field production. Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are wells suited for high tunnel culture having an upright growth habit and a significant economic premium for precocious harvest. The objective of this research was to investigate three planting dates (15 Mar., 30 Mar., and 10 Apr.) and three mulch types (black plastic, bareground, and clear plastic) with or without row covers, for early tomato production within a high tunnel in the Central Great Plains. High tunnels increased the average daily temperature by ≈6 °C. Early planting (i.e., mid- to late March) resulted in significantly earlier yield (i.e., early July). Using clear plastic mulch increased total marketable yield, but was not significantly different from black plastic. Row covers and plastic mulch are necessary for early tomato production. Row covers are specifically necessary for frost protection, but can be removed when the risk of frost has decreased.

scholarly journals Production System for Horticultural Crops Grown in the Penn State High Tunnel

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Lamont ◽  
Michael D. Orzolek ◽  
E. Jay Holcomb ◽  
Kathy Demchak ◽  
Eric Burkhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Production System ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Black Plastic

At the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) High Tunnel Research and Education Facility, a system of production of high-value horticultural crops in high tunnels has been developed that uses plastic mulch and drip irrigation. The Penn State system involves small-scale, plastic-application equipment that prepares and applies plastic mulch and drip-irrigation tape to individual raised beds. It differs from the production system developed by researchers at the University of New Hampshire in which drip-irrigation tape is manually applied to the soil surface and then the entire soil surface in the high tunnel is covered with a black plastic sheet. An overview of the production system used in the Penn State high tunnels is presented in this report.

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 Influence of High Tunnel Microclimate on Fruit Quality and Calcium Concentration in ‘Santina’ Sweet Cherries in a Mediterranean Climate

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186
Author(s):  
Victor Blanco ◽  
Juan Pablo Zoffoli ◽  
Marlene Ayala
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Postharvest Quality ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Fruit Cracking ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Sweet Cherries

The use of protective covers, such as high tunnels, is recognized as an effective technology to reduce rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherries; however, there is a lack of information concerning the effects of this production system on the fruit’s mineral concentration, quality, and postharvest life. This study assesses the feasibility of using high tunnels on ‘Santina’ sweet cherries under the Mediterranean climate of the Central Valley of Chile to obtain earlier harvests of high-quality fruit with long storage life. The study included two plots: Plot 1 during the 2018/2019 growing season, and Plot 2 during the 2019/2020 growing season. High temperatures and relative humidity inside the high tunnels during bloom and fruit set decreased fruit yield, particularly in Plot 1. On average, trees inside the high tunnels were harvested 11 days earlier than those in the open. Fruit from covered trees were significantly larger (13%) and softer (10%) than those from the outside. Fruit quality characteristics, such as soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity, were not affected by high-tunnel-protected cultivation. Fruit from covered and uncovered trees maintained the firmness differences obtained at harvest between treatments, but showed similar postharvest quality after 45 days at 0 °C and a further 3 days at 20 °C on the other characteristics. The covered fruit had lower Ca concentrations (7.7 mg 100 g−1) and higher K:Ca, Mg:Ca, and N:Ca ratios. Significant relationships were found between Ca or K:Ca and fruit firmness at harvest. Lower Ca concentrations in the fruit may explain the lower firmness of fruit grown under plastic covers. There were no differences between covered and uncovered cherries in either cracking susceptibility or induced pitting. ‘Santina’ cherries were very sensitive to pitting damage, but this is not associated with the fruit’s Ca concentration. The results obtained show that high tunnels influenced fruit yield, development, and quality, and emphasize that the fruit’s Ca concentration under this growing condition plays a significant role in the firmness of ‘Santina’ sweet cherries.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF SELECTED FRUIT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES FOR SEVEN STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 495g-496
Author(s):  
N.O. Maness ◽  
D.R. Chrz ◽  
K. Striegler ◽  
I Wahem ◽  
T.G. McCollum
Keyword(s):  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Measured Parameter ◽  
Fruit Characteristics ◽  
A Value ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Quality ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Strawberry Cultivars

Fresh strawberries are highly perishable commodities, and berry quality at harvest delimits their potential shelf life. We are conducting harvest quality evaluations for seven commercially available cultivars. Seven different fruit characteristics were chosen to assess cultivar performance during the early, middle and late phases of the picking season: marketable berry yield, berry weight, berry firmness, berry color (“a” value), percept soluble solids, titratable acidity (percent citric acid) and the ratio between soluble solids and titratable acidity. Marketable berry yield, berry weight and berry firmness varied substantially between cultivars. A few differences were observed between cultivars for berry color. Berry flavor, as evidenced by the ratio between soluble solids and acidity, was also apparently different between cultivars with three of the seven cultivars consistently exhibiting higher ratios. The relationship of each measured parameter to quality will be discussed.

scholarly journals Visual Assessments of Biodegradable Mulch Deterioration Are Not Indicative of Changes in Mechanical Properties

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Cowan ◽  
Arnold M. Saxton ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Karen K. Leonas ◽  
Debra Inglis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mechanical Strength ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Biodegradable Mulch ◽  
Visual Assessments

The functionality of biodegradable mulch can be evaluated in agricultural field settings by visually assessing mulch intactness over time (a measure of deterioration), but it is unclear if mulch deterioration is indicative of mulch degradation as measured by mechanical properties (like breaking force and elongation). This 3-year study (2010–12) examined mulch percent visual deterioration (PVD) during the summer growing season in open-field and high tunnel production systems, and compared these to mulch mechanical properties at mulch installation (12–30 May), midseason (22 July–9 Aug.), and season end (6–25 Oct.), to determine if the field-based measures reliably predict degradation as revealed by changes in mulch mechanical properties. Four different types of biodegradable mulches [two plastic film mulches marketed as biodegradable (BioAgri and BioTelo); one fully biodegradable paper mulch (WeedGuardPlus); and, one experimental spunbonded plastic mulch designed to biodegrade (SBPLA)] were evaluated against a standard nonbiodegradable polyethylene (PE) mulch where tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Celebrity) was planted as the model crop. Each year for the 3 years, PVD increased earlier for WeedGuardPlus than the other mulches in both the high tunnel and open field, and WeedGuardPlus had the greatest PVD in both high tunnels and the open field (6% and 48%, respectively). Mechanical strength of WeedGuardPlus also declined by the end of the season both in the high tunnel (up to 46% reduction) and in the open field (up to 81% reduction). PVD of BioAgri and BioTelo reached a maximum of 3% in the high tunnel and 28% in the open field by the end of the season. Mechanical strength of BioAgri and BioTelo did not change over the course of the season in either the open field or high tunnel, even though the ability of these mulches to elongate or stretch declined 89% in the open field and 82% in the high tunnel. SBPLA and PE mulches did not show a change in PVD or mechanical properties in either the high tunnel or the open field. Overall, PVD was three to six times greater by midseason in the open field than in the high tunnels. Although there were significant relationships between visual assessments and various mechanical properties for each mulch except SBPLA, the relationships differed for each mulch when evaluated separately and had coefficients of determination (R2) below 30%. Furthermore, PVD overestimated mechanical deterioration of BioAgri and BioTelo. Results of this study indicate that mulch visual assessments may reflect general trends in changes in certain mechanical properties of the mulch; however, visual assessment and mechanical properties provide different information on deterioration. Each should be used as needed, but not as a substitute for each other.

In-row Vegetation-free Strip Width Effect on Established ‘Navaho’ Blackberry

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas T. Basinger ◽  
Katherine M. Jennings ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
Wayne E. Mitchem ◽  
Penelope M. Perkins-Veazie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Strip Width ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Current Recommendation ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Quality

AbstractA field study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in an established 5-yr old commercial blackberry planting to determine the effect of vegetation-free strip width (VFSW) on ‘Navaho’ blackberry vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality parameters, identify the optimum VFSW for blackberry plantings in the southeastern USA, and provide practical groundcover management recommendations that can increase the productivity of blackberry plantings. In Fall 2013, tall fescue was seeded in-row and allowed to establish. In Spring 2014, VFSW treatments (0, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.8 m) were established in a randomized complete block statistical design with four replications. Blackberry growth measurements included primocane and floricane number, cane diam, individual fruit weight and yield. Fruit quality measurements included, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and pH. Primocane number increased with increasing VFSW in both years. Floricane number increased with increasing VFSW in 2014. Primocane diam decreased with increasing VFSW in 2014 but had a quadratic response in 2015. Berry weight and cumulative yield increased with increasing VFSW in both years. The only berry quality component affected by VFSW was pH, which decreased as VFSW increased. Results indicate that widening the VFSW in blackberry from the current recommendation of 1.2 m to 1.8 m could provide growers a means to increase plant growth, berry weight, and cumulative yield blackberry of a planting.

scholarly journals YIELD RESPONSES AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF TRIPLOID WATERMELON AS AFFECTED BY FERTILIZER SOURCE, MULCH, AND ROW COVER

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 495d-495
Author(s):  
D. R. Earhart ◽  
F. J. Dainello ◽  
M. L. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Triploid Watermelon ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Weight Number

Response of triploid watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) cv. Tiffany] to fertilizer source (FS) [poultry litter (PL) vs. commercial fertilizer (CF)1, black plastic mulch (BPM), and spunbonded floating row cover (SFC) was evaluated in 1990 on an East Texas Fuquay-Darco sandy loam soil. Plant growth and percent soluble solids were equated by FS. Vine fresh weight, number and total melon weight per plot, average melon weight, and percent soluble solids were increased 27%, 29%, 45%, 24%, and 17%, respectively, by BPM when compared to no mulch treatment. BPM + SFC treatment decreased vine fresh weight but increased total melon number which in turn increased plot weight. PL increased plant P, K, and Mg 16%, 12%, and 24%, respectively, when compared to CF. Plant Ca was increased 21% by CF. Plant N, P, Ca, and Mg were increased 18%, 16%, 22%, and 15% by the use of BPM. A reduction in plant N was found when SFC was used alone and with treatments lacking BPM or BPM + SFC. Mean soil temperature was increased on the average 2°C at 10 cm depth by BPM when compared to all other treatments. Mean 24 hr air temperature 2 cm above BP and bare ground under SFC was increased 5°C above ambient.

scholarly journals Effect of mulching systems on fruit quality and phytochemical composition of newly developed strawberry lines

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Fan ◽  
Valentine Roux ◽  
Claudine Dubé ◽  
Dennis Charlebois ◽  
Shutian Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Solids Content

The effects of three mulching systems on total yield, average yield per plant, average fruit weight, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), firmness and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of two newly developed lines (‘Orléans’ and ‘Saint Pierre’), one advanced selection (‘SJ8976-1’) and two commonly used cultivars (‘Jewel’ and ‘Kent’) were evaluated. The studied mulching systems were: plastic mulch (PM), mulch with row cover (PMRC), and matted-row system (MRS). Results showed that plastic mulch with row cover (PMRC) generally increased yield per plant, average fruit weight, SSC, firmness and ORAC, but differences varied within harvest times. No significant differences in total yield and TA were observed under the selected mulching systems. Both PMRC and PM accelerated the harvest periods compared to MRS. ‘Kent’ and ‘Jewel’ had the highest total yield while ‘SJ8976-1’ and ‘St-Pierre’ had the highest average fruit weight. The highest SSC, TA and ORAC were found in ‘Jewel’. There was no interaction between the mulching systems and genotypes, indicating that the effect of production system is independent of cultivars. PMRC seems to be a better growing system, improving fruit quality and increasing the nutritional value of all genotypes. By allowing off-season fruit production in cool climates, PMRC can be an alternative method to the costly high tunnels.

scholarly journals (23) High Tunnels for High Latitude Snap Bean Production

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1074C-1074
Author(s):  
Heidi Rader ◽  
Meriam Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Snap Bean ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Two snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, `Provider' and `Concesa', were planted successionally in a high tunnel in Fairbanks, Alaska (64°49'N and 147°52'W), from late May to late July. For the entire growing season, air/soil temperatures averaged 1.7 °C/1.1 °C higher in the tunnel than the field. The temperature differential was, however, largely dependent on amount of high tunnel ventilation. With tunnel ends not yet erected in May, the air temperature difference averaged 0.5 °C while in September the difference was 2.5 °C in the enclosed tunnel. On average, both cultivars flowered 4 days earlier in the tunnel compared to the contiguous open field. `Provider' had high overall yields with no significant difference between the tunnel and the field, although the tunnel did offer protection from an early frost. `Provider' produced an average of 3454 g·m-2 in the tunnel and 2860 g·m-2 in the field. Average yields of `Concesa' inside the tunnel were significantly greater (P < 0.01), with 1719 g·m-2 compared to 756 g·m-2 in the open field. `Provider' pods were larger in diameter and more fibrous than `Concesa' pods, which we concluded were of improved quality with higher soluble solids content (°Brix refractometer readings). High tunnels could be an important way to provide an advantageous production environment for high quality cultivars without sacrificing the reliability of cold-tolerant cultivars. To consistently produce high quality snap beans to meet local Alaska fresh market demands, cultivars suited for high tunnel production need to be identified.

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