EFFECTS OF NITROGEN RATES ON SUMMER SQUASH GROWTH AND YIELD

Nitrogen (N) is the most growth-limiting for vegetable production in sandy soils. In Florida, current recommendations for preplanting N applications (100 lb/acre of N) in `Crookneck' summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) differ from those used by the growers (>200 lb/acre). Therefore, two field studies were conducted in Ruskin and Balm, Fla., to examine the effect of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 lb/acre of N on summer squash growth and yield. Variables collected during this study were plant vigor (0–10 scale, where 0 = dead plant) at 3 and 7 weeks after planting (WAP), petiole sap nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) at 4 and 8 WAS, and marketable yield starting on 4 WAS (13 and 10 harvests in Ruskin and Balm, respectively). In Ruskin, plant vigor increased linearly with N rates, whereas there was no significant N effect in Balm. No differences in petiole sap NO3-N were observed in either location. In Ruskin, there was a rapid marketable yield increase (§25%) between 50 and 100 lb/acre of N, followed by no change afterwards. In contrast, there was no yield response in Balm. In the latter location, no crop had been established in the previous 3 years, enabling the soil to maximize its organic N accumulation (>40 lb/acre organic-N), whereas in Ruskin the experimental location had been continuously planted during the last three seasons (§25 lb/acre organic-N). The data demonstrated that organic N is an important source of the nutrient to complement preplant applications in summer squash.

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(410) Soil and Tissue Nitrogen and Fall Cabbage Yield Associated with Varying Rates of Nitrogen Applied as Different Organic Sources

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.4.1070d ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1070D-1070

Author(s):

Mark Gaskell ◽

Rachel Grande

Keyword(s):

Blood Meal ◽

Cultural Practice ◽

Organic N ◽

Yield Response ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Feather Meal ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Fish Waste ◽

Organic Vegetable Production

Fertilization is the most expensive cultural practice for increasing numbers of organic vegetable growers in California. Nitrogen (N) is the most important and costly nutrient to manage and cost-effective N management practices are needed for efficient organic vegetable production. Compost and green manure cover crops are widely used, economical sources of N for organic vegetable production, but the pattern of release from these pre-plant incorporated N sources may not adequately match crop need for N. Additional application of an organic N fertilizer material is needed to provide adequate N to long-season vegetable crops. Seven types of organic fertilizers–feather meal (13% N), blood meal (14% N), liquid fish waste (6% N), a micronized liquid feather meal (4% N), a micronized feather/blood meal (13% N) for injection as a liquid suspension, and the two micronized materials with an added microbial inoculant—were each applied to fall cabbage at N rates of 0, 90, 180 lb/acre. Weekly residual soil nitrate N (SNN) was proportional to applied N rate much of the season and varied from 5 to over 70 ppm. Marketable yield ranged from 8000 to 33,300 lb/acre. The SNN was highest in plots receiving the liquid fish waste most weeks, and marketable cabbage yield was also highest following application of N as liquid fish waste at 180 lb/acre. A positive marketable yield response to increasing rates of applied N was also observed for the other organic N materials.

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Volatilization of 1,3-Dichloropropene in Florida Plasticulture and Effects on Fall Squash Production

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.126.4.496 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 126 (4) ◽

pp. 496-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S.D. Nelson ◽

C. Riegel ◽

L.H. Allen ◽

D.W. Dickson ◽

J. Gan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Methyl Bromide ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Cropping System ◽

Polyethylene Film ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Severe Problem ◽

Application Rates ◽

Summer Squash

One of the proposed alternative chemicals for methyl bromide is 1,3-D. The most common forms of 1,3-D products are cis- or trans-isomers of 1,3-D with the fungicidal agent, chloropicrin, containing such mixtures as 65% 1,3-D and 35% chloropicrin (C-35). Soil fumigants are commonly applied under a polyethylene film in Florida raised bed vegetable production. Much of the research regarding cropping system effects of alternative fumigants to methyl bromide has focused primarily on plant growth parameters, with little regard to the atmospheric fate of these chemicals. The objective of this research was to determine both the atmospheric emission of 1,3-D under different plastic film treatments and to evaluate effects of application rates of 1,3-D and C-35 on plant pests, growth, and yield of Sunex 9602 summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Results showed that use of a high barrier polyethylene film (or virtually impermeable film - VIF) greatly reduced fumigant emission compared to ground cover with conventional polyethylene films or uncovered soil. Summer squash seedling survival was a severe problem in several of the 1,3-D alone treatments where no fungicidal agent was added, whereas C-35 resulted in excellent disease control at both full and one-half of the recommended application rates for this chemical. Both 1,3-D and C-35 provided good plant stands and higher yields when applied at their recommended application rates. However, all squash yields were lower than typical squash production levels due to late planting and early winter frost kill. Chemical names used: 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D); trichloronitropropene (chloropicrin).

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SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF COMPOSTED BROILER LITTER IN MISSISSIPPI VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.3.887a ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 887a-887

Author(s):

W.B. Evans ◽

Y. Vizzier-Thaxton ◽

P. Hudson ◽

K. Paridon

Keyword(s):

Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽

Brassica Oleracea ◽

Block Design ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Yield Response ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Broiler Litter ◽

Waste Products

Mississippi is one of the nation's largest broiler litter producing states. Interest in using litter and other organic waste products, such as compost, in horticultural systems is increasing in the state and region. The objective of this research was to determine the influences of composted broiler litter (CBL) on three aspects of vegetable crop productivity: growth and yield, microbiological safety, and mineral nutrition. This report focuses on the first two objectives. Compost was made in a covered, turned windrow for a blend of broiler litter and hardwood sawdust. Responses to CBL were tested in two vegetables: collard (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Rates of CBL ranged from 0 to 5 tons/acre, preplant incorporated in a randomized complete block design with four replicates for each species in two separate experiments in 2004. Testing of the CBL, the soil after application, leaves, and harvested organs found no significant influence of CBL on pathogenic microbe concentrations. At each of five sampling dates through commercial crop maturity, collard (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) fresh and dry weight per plant increased linearly with CBL applications up to 5 tons/acre. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoot fresh weight increased with increasing CBL applications at each sampling date. Marketable fruit yield increased linearly with increasing CBL applications. Total fruit yield response to CBL was best described by a quadratic equation.

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Nitrogen Management of Drip-iIrrigated Peppers

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.672e ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 672e-672

Author(s):

Peter Bierman ◽

Tom Wall

Keyword(s):

Nitrate Leaching ◽

Total Yield ◽

Growing Season ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Total N ◽

Indirect Measure ◽

Leaf Chlorophyll ◽

Petiole Sap

Inadequate N can reduce growth and yield, but excess N can be uneconomical and environmentally harmful. Our objective was to investigate the potential for using fertigation and on-farm plant-nutrient monitoring to improve the efficiency of N fertilizer use by bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). Two N fertilizer treatments were compared: 1) all N applied preplant and 2) one-third of the N applied preplant and the remainder injected into the drip-irrigation lines throughout the growing season. Total application rates were N at 118 kg·ha–1 for both treatments. Data were collected for total yield, marketable yield, and fruit size. Leaf and petiole samples were collected every 2 weeks and were used to monitor plant N status throughout the growing season. A Horiba/Cardy nitrate meter was used to measure nitrate concentrations in freshly-pressed petiole sap. A SPAD chlorophyll meter was used to measure leaf chlorophyll content and give an indirect measure of leaf N concentrations. Subsamples of leaves and petioles also were saved for conventional laboratory analyses. Whole (aboveground) plant samples were collected every 2 weeks, analyzed, and used to calculate differences in N accumulation. Suction cup samplers were installed at the 24-in soil depth and water samples collected every 1 to 2 weeks for nitrate analysis. Except for early in the growing season, petiole sap nitrate and leaf chlorophyll were higher in the fertigation treatment. Plant dry matter and total N accumulation also were much larger, but fertigation did not increase yield. Nitrate leaching was greater early in the season with 100% preplant N, but later in the season it was greater with fertigation. Data suggested that adequate plant N, reduced nitrate leaching, and equivalent yields are possible with fertigation at reduced N-rates compared to 100% preplant fertilizer applications.

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Fertiliser nitrogen and potassium studies with Flora-Dade tomatoes grown with trickle irrigation and polyethylene mulch covered beds on krasnozem soils

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9930221 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 221 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

DO Huett

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Growth Period ◽

Organic N ◽

Trickle Irrigation ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Plant Soil ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Nitrate N ◽

Petiole Sap

Field experiments were conducted with Flora-Dade tomatoes on krasnozem soils during 1985-86 (site I), 1986-87 (site 2), and 1987-88 (site 3) to examine the effect of nitrogen (N, 5420 kg/ha) and of potassium (K, 1120 kg/ha) on fruit yield and quality and leaf nutrient composition. Nitrogen and K were applied either pre-planting to first fruit set, or at increasing weekly increments from 1 week after transplanting to mid fruit harvest. At each site, one rate of N and one of K were based on a commercial soil chemical analysis. The yield and quality of fruit at all sites was not affected (P>0.05) by N or K fertiliser rate or by method and timing of application. Marketable yield was 83-1 18 t/ha and fruit firmness (compression) was 0.97-1.27 mm. At site 3, which had the lowest exchangeable K concentration [0.3 cmol(+)/kg], the addition of 90 kg K/ha increased the yield of large fruit. At all sites, and with the nil-N treatment (site 3), the youngest fully opened leaf (YFOL) petiole sap nitrate-N concentrations exceeded critical values (Coltman 1987, 1988; Huett and Rose 1988) at all sampling times. YFOL concentrations were highest at 2-6 weeks after transplanting, then declined over the growth period. The highest concentration recorded at site 1 was 5.6 g/L, and at site 2, 3.2 g/L. These concentrations were not affected (P>0.05) by N fertiliser rate, indicating greater mineralisation of organic N at sites 1 and 2 than at site 3, where the highest petiole sap nitrate-N concentration was 1.8 g/L. The pre-plant soil nitrate concentrations (0-15 cm depth) at sites 1 and 3 were similar (14 and 16 mg/kg), and when measured 6 weeks after transplanting at site 3, the concentrations in the nil and 120 kg N/ha treatments were 31 and 66 mgkg, respectively. Neither pre-planting soil test (N or K) accurately predicted fertiliser response by tomatoes. The application of supra-optimal rates of N and K to semi-determinate fresh market tomatoes of Flora-Dade type will not be detrimental to yield, composition, and firmness of fruit. For a 70 t/ha crop, 130 kg N/ha and 208 kg K/ha are equivalent to removal by fruit.

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Effects of Grafting on Morphophysiological and Yield Characteristic of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Grafted onto Wild Relative Rootstocks

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9111583 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1583

Author(s):

Ibrahim Musa ◽

Mohd Y. Rafii ◽

Khairulmazmi Ahmad ◽

Shairul Izan Ramlee ◽

Muhammad Asyraf Md Hatta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solanum Melongena ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

High Rate ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Wild Relative ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Graft Success

Grafting is regarded as an integral component of sustainable vegetable production. It is important in the management of soil-borne diseases, and reports suggest that grafting with viable rootstocks can enhance crop growth and yield. This research was conducted using splices and cleft grafting techniques to investigate graft compatibility among varieties of high yielding eggplant scion (MCV1, MCV2, CCV1, CCV2, CCV3, NCV, and TCV) grafted onto wild rootstocks (MWR, BWR, and TWR) to study their morphophysiological and yield characteristics. High yielding scions grafted onto wild relative rootstocks were compared with two controls including self-grafted and non-grafted. All the scion had a high rate of germination (≥95%) and remarkable graft success (100%) was recorded in MCV1, MCV2, and TCV using the cleft techniques. Generally, the use of rootstocks resulted in higher total and marketable fruit yield compared to the non-grafted and self-grafted scion plants, respectively. In particular, MWR and TWR rootstock conferred the highest vigour to the scion, resulting in the highest values recorded for total and marketable fruit yield, number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. A similar result was obtained in fruit length and diameter, where long and wide fruits were observed in scions grafted onto MWR and TWR rootstocks, respectively. Grafting of high yielding eggplant scion onto resistant MWR, BWR and TWR eggplant rootstock was found to be beneficial for eggplant cultivation. The remarkable compatibility and vigour of the rootstock with scion led to the improvement in total and marketable yield of the fruits. As such, it can be concluded that the use of wild relative rootstocks of eggplant species can be a valuable method of improving eggplant production.

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Growth and yield response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris (L.) to media mixture ratios of sand, acacia soil, and goat manure

10.30574/msabp.2020.1.1.0015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 018-024

Author(s):

Kudakwashe Hove ◽

Justina Johannes ◽

Gervasius Hatutale ◽

Simon Kamwele Awala ◽

Petrus Ausiku

Keyword(s):

Mineral Content ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Yield Response ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Mixing Ratios ◽

Swiss Chard ◽

Goat Manure ◽

Almost All ◽

The University ◽

Dry Matter Weight

Northern Namibian soils are predominantly sandy. A mixture of Acacia soils, sandy and goat manure is frequently used for growing various plants. However, the extent to which variations in proportions of these substrates affect growth and yield is not known. The study was conducted at the University of Namibia, Ogongo campus during the period April to August 2020 to determine optimum mixing ratios for sandy, Acacia erioloba soil and goat manure on the growth and yield of Swiss chard. Treatments were Sandy, Acacia soil and goat manure mixed in 5 different ratios of respectively; 1:2:1; 2:3:2; 1:1:1, 2:1:2, 1:1:2 and Acacia soil (control). Samples from each mixture used for pot filling were taken to the soil laboratory for textural analysis. A complete randomized experiment with 8 replications was laid under the University’s shade house. Measured parameters were plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry matter weight and chlorophyll content. Results showed that media was significantly different across all the measured parameters at 1 % probability level. The medium mixture 2:3:2 outperformed the rest of the mixtures in almost all the parameters. The results of the study indicated that acacia soil alone is not optimum for pot filling but must be supplemented with substrate that is rich in mineral content like goat manure. However, the mixing ratio is a key consideration for optimal vegetable production. We recommend the use of media mixture 2:3:2 to improve yield of Swiss chard.

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Growth and yield response of lettuce and tomato grown under drip and manual irrigation

Annals of Tropical Research ◽

10.32945/atr39sb14.2017 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 168-173

Author(s):

Nelda Gonzaga ◽

Sarah Lyn Pepito ◽

Renan Octavio ◽

Apolinario Gonzaga ◽

Gordon Rogers

Keyword(s):

Drip Irrigation ◽

Traditional Method ◽

Block Design ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Yield Response ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Irrigation Method ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Crown Size

Although there are new and innovative irrigation techniques available locally in Mindanao (Southern Philippines), growers still rely on the traditional method – manual irrigation. The study was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation method on the performance of lettuce and tomato. The study was laid out in factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with different irrigation method (manual & drip) as treatments replicated three times. In tomato, drip irrigation produced larger fruits (polar & equatorial measurement), highest number of marketable fruits, and highest yield per hectare. While in lettuce, it resulted in larger crown size (polar measurement), highest marketable yield per plant and per hectare. The study suggests that drip irrigation could improve the present farming situation in Mindanao, considering its potential to sustain farming during times of climatic uncertainty. Thus, further trials are required to verify its effects before introduction throughout the region.

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Increased Yield of Heat-tolerant Tomatoes with Deep Transplanting, Morning Irrigation, and White Mulch

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.2.224 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 224-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

H.Y. Hanna ◽

E.P. Millhollon ◽

J.K. Herrick ◽

C.L. Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Total Yield ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Yield Response ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Heat Tolerant ◽

Polyethylene Mulch ◽

Fruit Mass ◽

Plant Dry Mass

Studies were conducted in Fall 1994 and Summer 1995 to determine growth and yield response of heat-tolerant tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to transplant depth, time of daily irrigation, and polyethylene mulch color. Five-week-old tomato transplants were planted to a depth of either 7.5 or 15.0 cm, drip irrigated every other day for 2.5 h starting at either 7:30 am or 2:30 pm for 80 d following transplanting, and mulched with white-surface (white on black) or black polyethylene. Soil temperatures were recorded daily at 4:00 pm for 21 d from the beginning of fruit set (2 weeks following transplanting) until the tomato canopy shaded the mulch surface. Transplanting tomatoes to a depth of 15.0 cm significantly increased marketable yield in both years and the total yield in 1 year of this study. Mean fruit mass was not influenced by transplant depth, but plant dry mass was significantly increased by deeper transplanting in 1995. Morning irrigation increased the marketable and total yields and mean fruit mass in both years and plant dry mass in 1995. White-surface mulch had a similar effect on yield and fruit mass. Soil temperature was significantly lower at the 15.0-cm depth than at 7.5 cm in both years. Morning irrigation and white-surface polyethylene mulch also significantly reduced soil temperature in both years.

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Vegetable Response to Herbicides Applied to Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch Prior to Transplant

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-08-135.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 444-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

A. Stanley Culpepper ◽

Timothy L. Grey ◽

Theodore M. Webster

Keyword(s):

Biomass Yield ◽

Production Systems ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Low Density Polyethylene ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Low Density ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Few herbicides are available for weed control in vegetable production systems using low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic mulch. With the elimination of methyl bromide for pest management and subsequent use of various alternative fumigants, the need for herbicides in vegetable production systems has increased. An experiment was conducted to evaluate tolerance of transplant summer squash and tomato to carfentrazone, flumioxazin, glyphosate, halosulfuron, or paraquat applied to the mulch prior to transplanting. After applying herbicides overtop of the mulch but prior to vegetable transplant, the mulch was either irrigated with 1.0 cm of water or not irrigated. Carfentrazone did not affect either crop regardless of irrigation. Irrigation readily removed glyphosate and paraquat from the mulch, as there was no adverse crop injury in these treatments. In the absence of irrigation, glyphosate and paraquat reduced squash diameter and tomato heights 18 to 34% at 3 wk after transplanting (WAT). Squash and tomato fruit numbers and fruit biomass (yield) were reduced 17 to 37%, and 25 to 33%, respectively. Halosulfuron reduced squash diameter and yield 71 to 74% and tomato heights and yields 16 to 37% when mulch was not irrigated prior to transplanting. After irrigating, halosulfuron had no affect on tomato, but reduced squash growth and yield 40 to 44%. Flumioxazin killed both crops when the mulch was not irrigated; and reduced squash yield 56% when irrigated. With irrigation, flumioxazin did not impact tomato fruit number, but did reduce tomato weight by 25%. These studies demonstrate the safety of carfentrazone, applied on mulch prior to transplanting either squash or tomato, regardless of irrigation, and also demonstrate the safety of glyphosate and paraquat if irrigated prior to transplanting. Conversely, flumioxazin should not be applied over mulch before transplanting either crop, regardless of irrigation. Halosulfuron application over mulch should be avoided before transplanting squash, regardless of irrigation, but can be applied prior to transplanting tomato if irrigated.

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