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.

Effect of plastic mulch and row covers on photosynthesis and yield of watermelon

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ibarra-Jiménez ◽  
J. Munguía-López ◽  
A. J. Lozano-del Río ◽  
A. Zermeño-González
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Growing Conditions

The effect of row covers on watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) grown on plastic mulch is well documented. However, row covers have not been adequately evaluated under Mexican growing conditions. Watermelon plants were grown on plastic mulch alone or with row covers to study their effect on photosynthesis, and early and total yields. Treatments were clear plastic mulch (C); black plastic mulch (B); B plus a Vispore cover of polypropylene (BV); B plus a white cover of perforated polyethylene (BW); B plus a clear cover of perforated polyethylene (BC); B plus an Agribon cover of polypropylene (BA); and bare soil as the control. For plants grown in treatment C, B or B combined with row covers, plant dry weight and number of leaves 40 days after seeding (DAS) were higher than the control (P<0.05), except BC which was comparable to the control. Total yields of treatments C, B, BV, BW and BA differed (P<0.05) from BC and the control. Total yields increased by 46.1, 43.2, 35.7, 41.6, 13.3, 15.4 and 35.8 t/ha for the C, B, BV, BW, BC and BA treatments, respectively, over the control, which yielded 27.1 t/ha. Total yield was highest for the C and the B treatment suggesting that there was no need for additional covers. The number of leaves per plant or dry weight per plant better explains the changes in yield than net photosynthesis rate. Stomatal conductance was explained in part by changes in photosynthesis.

scholarly journals High Tunnel and Grafting Effects on Organic Tomato Plant Growth and Yield in the Subtropics

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-503
Author(s):  
Craig J. Frey ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Jeffrey K. Brecht ◽  
Dustin M. Huff ◽  
Zachary E. Black
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Field Production

Although grower interest in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production has increased in recent years, systematic high tunnel research conducted in humid, subtropical regions has been limited. The potential of tomato grafting to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses makes it complementary to high-value production systems in high tunnels. In this 2-year study, grafted vs. nongrafted organic tomato production in high tunnels and open fields was investigated to determine possible synergistic effects of these two technologies. In 2016, high tunnels resulted in a significant increase of total and marketable yields, by 43% and 87%, respectively, over open field production. Grafting also significantly increased total and marketable yields over nongrafted plants by 34% and 42%, respectively. Cultivar effects demonstrated greater benefits with the implementation of high tunnel and grafting technologies for ‘Tribute’ (a beefsteak-type tomato) than for ‘Garden Gem’ (a plum-type tomato), as the increase in marketable yield was 33% greater for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels and 45% greater for ‘Tribute’ with grafting. In 2017, a delayed effective transplanting date and the lack of high tunnel summer season extension produced results that were generally cultivar specific. While grafting increased the total yield of both cultivars (by 18%), marketable yield was increased by grafting only for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels (by 42%). Additionally, high tunnels improved marketable yield of ‘Tribute’ by 129% but had no effect on ‘Garden Gem’. This demonstrated the consistent trend of the beefsteak-type tomato benefiting more from the combination of high tunnel and grafting technologies than the plum-type tomato. High tunnels reduced fruit decay and cracking by up to 71% compared with open field production. Stink bug (Pentatomidae) damage had the greatest impact on marketable yields each season, reaching 13% and 34% of total yields in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and was unaffected by high tunnel production or grafting. This study revealed the benefits of integrating high tunnel and grafting technologies for enhancing organic production of fresh-market tomato in the humid subtropics, and demonstrated more research is warranted to establish regional planting dates and further optimize this high-value cropping system.

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 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 (204) The Effect of High Tunnels and Row Covers on Air Temperatures and Spring-planted Tomato Yield in Louisiana

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055B-1055
Author(s):  
Koji Takeuchi ◽  
Carl E. Motsenbocker
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Black Plastic

Tomato is an important vegetable crop in Louisiana for small- to large-scale growers. Growers often use protected cultivation with structures, such as greenhouses, in order to take advantage of higher prices early in the season and increase profits through increased tomato yield and quality. A negative aspect of greenhouse use is the high investment and production costs associated with these structures. High tunnels, or simple greenhouse-like structures, have been used to protect crops from cold temperature in northern states, as they often provide benefits similar to greenhouses with considerably lower cost. Very little research has been conducted on the use of high tunnels for crops in the southern states. High tunnels in combination with row covers were evaluated for field cultivation of spring season fresh market tomato in Louisiana. The studies were set up in a randomized complete-block design with three replications. Tomatoes were transplanted into single rows on four-row raised beds covered with black plastic mulch on 1.2-m centers on 13 Mar. 2004. Row covers were installed immediately after transplanting and removed on 3 May. Plants were harvested for 6 weeks starting 12 May 2004. Both high tunnels and row covers significantly increased minimum and maximum air temperatures at a 15-cm height compared to the black plastic mulch control. Early yield was highest with the tunnel treatment without row cover compared to tunnel with row cover and similar to row cover alone or the control. There were no differences in total marketable yield between treatments. Research results from 2 years will be presented.

scholarly journals Winter Production of Asian Leafy Greens in High Tunnels Using Biodegradable Mulches

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Tongyin Li ◽  
Geoffrey T. Lalk ◽  
Qianwen Zhang ◽  
Zhiheng Xing ◽  
Guihong Bi
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Cabbage ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels

Use of season extension tools such as high tunnels and diverse vegetable crops have been crucial in improving competitiveness of vegetable growers in Mississippi who operate on small- to medium-sized farms. Chinese cabbage, also known as pak choy or bok choy, has become increasingly popular due to numerous cultivar choices, fast maturity, high productivity, tolerance for frost, and its potential use for winter production in high tunnels in a subtropical climate. Five Chinese cabbage cultivars including ‘Asian Delight’, ‘Black Summer’, ‘Red Pac’, ‘Rosie’, and ‘Tokyo Bekana’ were evaluated for plant growth, yield, and mineral nutrient concentrations when grown with three types of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) and one polyethylene (PE, or plastic) mulch in a high tunnel in two experiments from 30 October 2019 to 18 March 2020. The five tested cultivars varied in plant height, widths, leaf SPAD, fresh and dry plant weights, marketable yield, and macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations. ‘Tokyo Bekana’ produced the highest marketable yield and fresh and dry plant weights in both experiments. The three BDMs resulted in similar marketable yield and mineral nutrients in tested cultivars and similar temperatures of leaf, mulch, and substrate compared to the PE mulch. The high tunnel provides a viable way for the winter production of selected Chinese cabbage cultivars in a subtropical climate with possible different yields between production cycles due to varying microenvironment in those months.

scholarly journals USE OF OF BLACK PLASTIC MULCH AND ROW COVERS AS A METHOD OF INDUCING RESISTANCE OF LEAF SPOT DISEASES OF VEGETABLES

HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 271A-271
Author(s):  
C. Stevens ◽  
V.A. Khan ◽  
M.A. Wilson ◽  
D. Ploper ◽  
P. Backman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Early Blight ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
New Yorker ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Plant Grown ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
New Crop

The application of plastic mulches, row cover or a combination of the two were evaluated from 1987 to 1991 for reducing early blight of tomatoes and Alternaria leaf spot of okra. Early blight on early season tomatoes (TU-80-130, New Yorker and Floradade) was significantly reduced by the application of black plastic mulch (BM) or BM plus spunbonded polyester row cover (RC) compared to bare soil. Early blight evaluation of late season tomato (Better Boy) showed that BM significantly reduced the incidence and number of lesions per leaf on the fruit clusters compared to bare soil, but the spunbonded polyester RC treatment didn't improve disease reduction of the BM. Alternaria 14 spot of Clemson Spineless okra in 1989 was severe on plant grown in bare soil compared to those grown on BM, BM plus VisPore row cover, clear plastic mulch (CM) and CM plus VisPore RC treatments. These soldier indicted that the application of agriplastic techniques could be used as a new crop management option in an IPM program to reduce the application of foliar fungicides or application of biological control agents.

The effect of plastic mulch and row covers on the growth and physiology of cucumber

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ibarra-Jiménez ◽  
M. R. Quezada-Martín ◽  
M. de la Rosa-Ibarra
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Whole Plants ◽  
Polyethylene Mulch

To determine the effectiveness of black plastic mulch alone and in combination with row covers, on growth and physiological changes of cucumber plants, 6 treatments were established in a randomised complete block design with 4 replications: bare soil (control); black polyethylene mulch alone (B); B plus a clear cover of perforated polyethylene (BRCP); B plus a white cover of perforated polyethylene (BRWP); B plus an Agribon cover of polypropylene (BRA); and B plus a Kimberly farm row cover (BRK). For the plants grown with mulch or mulch combined with row covers, the dry weight of leaves 50 days after seeding (DAS), and the dry weight of whole plants (at 50 and 110 DAS) were significantly (P<0.05) different from the control. Early yields of treatments B, BRCP, BRWP, BRA and BRK were 2.1, 1.9, 2.6, 1.9 and 2.4 times higher than the control, which yielded 10 t/ha. Total yields were increased by 9.7, 15.4, 19.8, 14.9 and 20 t/ha, over the control which yielded 104 t/ha. Increases in plant dry weight explained the changes in yield. Stomatal conductance may explain in part, the increase in photosynthetic rate, but may not explain yield increase.

scholarly journals 546 PB 090 OPTIMIZING TOMATO YIELDS IN HIGH TUNNELS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 509f-509
Author(s):  
Otho S. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Low Input ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Comparable Experiment ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Tomato production in high tunnels is very intensive, although relatively low-input. However, optimal use of every square foot of growing space is critical to maximizing returns. Utilizing the basket-weave trellis system, `Ultrasweet' tomatoes were grown in 4 (replicated), 14-foot-wide high tunnels in 4 rows per tunnel at 3.5 ft between rows. In-row spacing of 12, 18, and 24 inches was combined with removal of sideshoots below the first flower cluster: one or three shoots at 18 and 24-inch spacing and none or one at 12-inch spacing. The highest marketable yield per plant was 22 lbs at 24 inches and three sideshoots, while the lowest yield per plant was 13.9 lbs at 12 inches and no sideshoots. The highest yield per sq ft was 4.2 lbs at 12 inches and no sideshoots, while the lowest yield per sq ft was 2.5 lbs at 24 inches and one sideshoot. The yield response to spacing and side-shoot removal was inverse for lbs per plant and lbs per sq ft. There was no difference in fruit size among any of the treatments. In a comparable experiment under field conditions, the highest yield per plant was 12.6 lbs at 24 inches and one sideshoot; and the highest yield per sq ft was 2 lbs at 12 inches and one sideshoot. The percentage of marketable fruit in the tunnels and in the field was 93.0 and 85.1, respectively.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SOIL FUMIGANTS (METHAM SODIUM VS. METHYL BROMIDE) AND PLASTIC MULCH ON YIELD OF TOMATOES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1171b-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Kovach ◽  
James Brown ◽  
Walter Hogue ◽  
Larry Curtis ◽  
William S. Gazaway
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Marketable Fruit ◽  
Soil Fumigants ◽  
Metham Sodium

Drip-irrigated tomato (`Sunny') plants were treated with five levels of fumigant in combination with three levels of mulch. Fumigants were metham sodium at two rates, 475 and 950 L/ha, a 67% methyl bromide + 33% chloropicrin formulation (164.5 kg/ha, and a 98% methyl bromide + 2% chloropicrin formulation (329 kg/ha). Mulching levels were 1.25 mil silver on black polyethylene (plastic), blue-black latex mulch sprayed over the plant beds, and no mulch. Plants treated with metham sodium (950 L/ha) had a significantly higher number of marketable fruit than plants treated with no fumigant or the 98% methyl bromide + 2% chloropicrin formulation. Marketable fruit weight was not significantly affected by the five fumigation levels. Plants grown with black plastic mulch had a significantly higher marketable yield than plants grown with no mulch, 58,100 kg/ha vs. 50,800 kg/ha, respectively. The level of mulching did not significantly affect the marketable number of fruit.

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