scholarly journals Late-season Strawberry Production Using Day-neutral Cultivars in High-elevation High Tunnels

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1480-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rowley ◽  
Brent L. Black ◽  
Dan Drost ◽  
Dillon Feuz
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Cold Events ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Low Tunnels

Small-scale fruit and vegetable growers increasingly use high tunnels to expand production windows and exploit demand for local produce. Day-neutral cultivars, high tunnels, low tunnels, and targeted heating were investigated in North Logan, UT (lat. 41.766° N, 1405 m elevation, 119 freeze-free days) to extend the availability of local strawberries. Day-neutral cultivars Albion, Evie 2, Seascape, and Tribute were spring-planted in an annual hill system both inside and outside of high tunnels. Within the high tunnels, low tunnels and targeted root zone heating were tested in replicated plots. During the summer months, plastic was removed from the high tunnels and replaced with shadecloth. Treatments were evaluated for yields, fruit size, and production season. Fruit production in the tunnels began in late May and continued sporadically until December. Combinations of high and low tunnels provided more hours of optimal growing conditions than high tunnels alone, but managing the combination to maintain optimum temperatures proved difficult with temperatures often exceeding the optimum for strawberry. Targeted root zone heating efficiently increased root and canopy temperatures, preventing flower bud damage during extreme cold events, but did not significantly improve total season yields. Of the cultivars tested, ‘Evie 2’ and ‘Seascape’ had the most consistent yields and acceptable fruit size. Economic analysis indicated that growing spring-planted day-neutral strawberries in high tunnels was marginally profitable, whereas field production at this location would be a money-losing enterprise.

scholarly journals Advancing Primocane-fruiting Raspberry Production in the Intermountain West Using Spring Protection

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-479
Author(s):  
Brent L. Black ◽  
Tiffany Maughan ◽  
Christina Nolasco ◽  
Blake Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
First Year ◽  
Intermountain West ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Early Fall

Winter injury to raspberry floricanes commonly limits productivity in cold climates. Primocane-fruiting raspberries avoid winter injury by fruiting on first year canes, but fruit production in the high-elevation valleys of the Intermountain West is later than needed for local markets, and may be limited by early fall freezes. High tunnels were used for early spring heat to advance primocane growth and the fruiting season of two primocane-fruiting red raspberry cultivars. Tunnels were covered with plastic in March and April. Then, they were covered with shade cloth during fruit ripening. Tunnel-covered plots were compared with field plantings for primocane growth rate, fruiting season, yield, and fruit quality over two seasons. High tunnels increased cane growth rate, with the harvest season advanced by 18 to 26 days depending on season and cultivar, but they did not consistently affect the total season yield or fruit size. Low-cost two-season tunnels used in conjunction with early-season primocane-fruiting raspberries may provide a viable method for small acreage producers in harsh climates to reliably supply high-value seasonal raspberry markets.

scholarly journals UTILIZATION OF POSTHARVEST GIBBERELLIC ACID SPRAYS TO REDUCE HAND THINNING IN `PATTERSON' APRICOT

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167a-1167
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Southwick ◽  
James T. Yeager
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Prunus Armeniaca ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Fruit Species ◽  
Bud Initiation ◽  
Whole Tree

Heavy fruit set of apricot (Prunus armeniaca) cultivars grown in California often require hand thinning to insure that adequate fruit size is obtained. Alternatives to costly hand thinning would be welcome. GA treatments made during flower bud initiation/differentiation have been previously shown to inhibit the development of floral and vegetative buds in a number of different tree fruit species. The effects of post-harvest limb and whole tree aqueous gibberellic acid (GA) sprays on flower and fruit production were investigated over a 3 year period in `Patterson' apricot. Limb treatments indicated the potential for utilizing postharvest GA sprays to reduce the number of flowers produced in the following season. Harvest fruit size (June 1989) was increased by a 100 mg·liter-1 GA whole tree spray applied 7 July 1988 when compared to non-thinned and hand thinned trees. Yield per tree was reduced by that GA spray, but not enough to show statistical differences. No abnormal tree growth responses have been observed in GA-sprayed trees to date. These results and those from the 1989 and 1990 growing seasons will be presented in effort to identify a role for whole tree postharvest GA sprays in a chemical thinning program suitable for commercial apricots.

scholarly journals 659 Reducing Floral Initiation and Return Bloom in Fruit Trees— Applications and Implications in Fruit Production: Pome Fruit

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 561E-561
Author(s):  
Duane W. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Pome Fruit ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Bud Formation ◽  
Biennial Bearing ◽  
Flower Bud Formation

Pome fruit display a biennial bearing tendency that is characterized by heavy flowering and fruit set one year followed by a year with reduced bloom and fruit set. This tendancy results in a year with heavy cropping with small fruit, and a subsequent year with large fruit and a small crop. Both situations are undesirable. Chemical thinners in the “on” year are frequently used to modify this cropping behavior. Alternative methods to control cropping by flower bud inhibitions will be discussed. Gibberellin application in the “off” year at or soon after bloom will inhibit flower bud formation and encourage moderate flowering. This method of crop regulation has been used infrequently. Gibberellins differ in their ability to inhibit flowering. Therefore, selection of a specific gibberellin and an effective concentration range may provide greater flexibility in controlling flowering. The cytokinins CPPU and thidiazuron inhibit flower bud formation, increase fruit size, and also thin fruit. Appropriate application of these cytokinins will be discussed where beneficial effects on fruit size may be achieved while maintaining a moderate level of flower bud formation.

scholarly journals Improving Growth and Productivity of Early-season High-tunnel Tomatoes with Targeted Temperature Additions

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britney Hunter ◽  
Dan Drost ◽  
Brent Black ◽  
Ruby Ward
Keyword(s):  
Energy Requirement ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Soil Warming ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
Early Season ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Low Tunnels

In northern climates where the growing season is shortened by cool spring conditions, high tunnels make it possible to plant and produce tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at least 1 month earlier than in the field. However, limited high-tunnel research has been performed in arid high-elevation regions that experience extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations. High tunnels are designed to be passively heated; therefore, additional protection from frost may be warranted if growers wish to plant significantly earlier than normal. Low tunnels built within a high tunnel reduce the energy requirement by concentrating heat around the plants, particularly when a heat source is placed inside the low tunnel. ‘Sunbrite’ tomatoes were transplanted through black plastic mulch in four high tunnels in North Logan, UT (lat. 41.73° N, long. 111.83° W, 1382 m elevation) on 17 Mar., 30 Mar., and 7 Apr. in 2009 and on 19 Mar., 30 Mar., and 9 Apr. in 2010. Low tunnels were constructed over each row, and three supplemental heat treatments (unheated, soil-warming cables, and soil-warming cables plus 40-W incandescent lights) were tested to improve plant performance. The highest total marketable yield was achieved for earliest planting dates in both 2009 and 2010. In 2009, early-season yield was significantly greater when both the soil + air were heated, but only for the earliest planting date. In 2010, soil heat alone and in conjunction with air heat significantly improved early-season yield. Information gathered in this study on planting dates, yield, and energy costs provides valuable production and economic information to growers in arid high-elevation climates who desire the benefits of growing early-season tomatoes in high tunnels.

scholarly journals Reproductive Characteristics of Pitayo (Stenocereus queretaroensis) and their Relationships with Soluble Sugars and Irrigation

1995 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1082-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eulogio Pimienta-Barrios ◽  
Park S. Nobel
Keyword(s):  
Seed Quality ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Flower Opening ◽  
Total Sugars ◽  
Stem Extension ◽  
The Times

Flower and fruit production by the columnar cactus, Stenocereus queretaroensis (Weber) Buxbaum, occurred during the dry season in the late winter and spring, and the relatively small annual stem extension occurred primarily during the fall. Thus, reproductive growth does not directly compete with vegetative growth for resources such as reducing sugars, which increased during the wet summer season, a period when total sugars were decreasing. Stem extension, reproductive demography, fruit quality, seed size, and seed quality were not influenced by irrigation. Final fruit size and seed germination, however, were enhanced by applying water. The times from flower bud differentiation to flower opening and from anthesis to fruit ripening were relatively short and unaffected by irrigation.

scholarly journals Early-season Extension Using June-bearing ‘Chandler’ Strawberry in High-elevation High Tunnels

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1464-1469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Rowley ◽  
Brent L. Black ◽  
Dan Drost ◽  
Dillon Feuz
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Ground System ◽  
Season Extension

High tunnels have been used successfully in many areas of the world to extend the growing season for numerous crops. However, very little research has been conducted to evaluate the season extension benefits offered by high tunnels for small fruit crops in high-elevation growing areas such as the Intermountain West region of the United States. The use of high tunnels was investigated in North Logan, UT (lat. 41.766 N, elev. 1405 m, 119 freeze-free days) to extend the growing season for June-bearing strawberries. Growing systems included a fall-planted annual hill system and vertical growing systems in two different orientations. Optimum planting date for each system was determined by transplanting ‘Chandler’ plugs at 2-week intervals over 10 weeks. For the second year of the study, a field planting was also included. Over two seasons, the optimum planting dates were approximately the first week of September. The vertical systems were more susceptible to winter injury likely resulting from the temperature extremes in the root zone. Where winter injury was prevented, the vertical systems had higher yields per tunnel area than the in-ground system, but yield increases did not compensate for higher construction and management costs. The production window for the in-ground high tunnel planting was ≈4 weeks earlier than the field-grown plants and increased profitability by $13/m2 of tunnel area.

Blossom Thinning in Pome and Stone Fruit

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 553b-553
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Fallahi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Naphthalene Acetic Acid ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanamide ◽  
Ammonium Thiosulfate ◽  
The Past ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Ortho Cresol ◽  
Bud Initiation

Early thinning of apples is important because of its impact on fruit size and next season's flower bud initiation. In the past, apple cultivars were often sprayed with the blossom thinner sodium dinitro-ortho-cresol(Elgetol) during full bloom, followed by a post-bloom application of a fruit thinner such as carbaryl with or without naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Elgetol was removed from the market in 1989 because of the high cost of re-registration. Full-bloom sprays of sulfcarbamide (Wilthin), pelargonic acid (Thinex), and endothalic acid (Endothal), ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) or petal fall spray of carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) were developed as replacements for Elgetol. Hydrogen cyanamide (HC) and other chemicals have been used to eliminate or to reduce chilling requirements of peaches grown under the warm desert conditions. HC applied at “pink bloom” stage was observed to reduce the number of open blooms in `Florda Prince' peach; therefore, it was first used for blossom thinning in this cultivar in Arizona. Later, HC was also found to be an effective blossom thinner for plums in Idaho. HC has recently been found to effectively thin apple and peach blossoms. Armothin has also been an effective blossom thinner for peach in California.

Hydrophobic Particle Films Improve Tree Fruit Productivity

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 548a-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
G. Puterka ◽  
T. Baugher ◽  
T. Unruh ◽  
S. Drake
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Red Color ◽  
Tree Fruit ◽  
Fruit Productivity ◽  
Leaf Level ◽  
Hydrophobic Particle

Hydrophobic particle film technology (HPF) is a developing pest control system for tree fruit production systems. Studies were established in Chile, and Washington, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in the United States, to evaluate the effect of HPF technology on tree fruit yield and quality. Studies in Chile, Washington, and West Virginia demonstrated increased photosynthetic rate at the leaf level. Yield was increased in peaches (Chile) and apples (West Virginia), and fruit size was increased in apples (Washington and Pennsylvania). Increased red color in apple was demonstrated at all sites with reduced russetting and `Stayman' cracking in Pennsylvania. HPF technology appears to be an effective tool in reducing water and heat stress in tree fruit resulting in increased fruit quality.

Protected Culture Systems for Strawberry Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 459d-459
Author(s):  
Fumiomi Takeda ◽  
Paul R. Adler ◽  
D. Michael Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Hydroponic Culture ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique ◽  
Plant Densities

Strawberry plants (cvs. Camarosa, Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Primetime, Jewel, and Tribute) were grown in soilless culture systems in a greenhouse from October to May. Fresh-dug and runner-tip Aplug® plants were transplanted into two systems: vertically stacked pots (24 plants/m2) containing perlite and horizontal nutrient film technique troughs (13 plants/m2). Plants were fertigated continuously with recirculating nutrient solution. In a 7-month production cycle, the plug plants bloomed earlier and produced more fruit during the first month of harvest (December) than the fresh-dug plants. Higher yields from plug plants were a result of more fruit numbers and not larger fruit size. Fruit production averaged 6.0 and 3.5 kg/m2 in the trough and pot systems, respectively. The vertical growing system allows greater plant densities, but light intensity reaching the plants in the lower sections of the tower can be less than 20% of levels measured at the top. Establishment costs of protected culture systems are higher, but production is earlier and labor costs are typically reduced. Greenhouse hydroponic culture systems could extend the winter strawberry production to more northern locations.

scholarly journals Effect of Propagation Method and Ploidy Level of Various Rootstocks on the Response of the Common Clementine (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan) to a Mild Water Deficit

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Oustric ◽  
Radia Lourkisti ◽  
Stéphane Herbette ◽  
Raphaël Morillon ◽  
Gilles Paolacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Deficit ◽  
Ploidy Level ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Trifoliate Orange ◽  
Antioxidant Efficiency ◽  
Diploid Genotype ◽  
Propagation Methods

Current climatic upheavals reduce water availability which impacts the growth and fruit quality of plants. In citrus crops, scion/rootstock combinations are used to ensure high fruit production and quality and a stress tolerance/resistance. Our objective was to assess the effect on the clementine scion (C) under natural mild water deficit of (i) polyploid rootstocks by comparing the allotetraploid FlhorAG1 (C/4xFLs; trifoliate orange + Willowleaf mandarin) with its diploid parents, trifoliate orange (C/2xTOs), and Willowleaf mandarin (C/2xWLs), and with a diploid genotype used as reference (Carrizo citrange, C/2xCCs), (ii) rootstock propagation methods by comparing trifoliate orange seedling (C/2xTOs) with cutting (C/2xTOc). A mild water deficit observed under orchard conditions during the summer period (July–August) induced a significant change in yield (except in C/2xTOs), fruit size, and quality. C/2xCCs, C/2xTOs, and C/2xWLs appeared less affected by water deficit as indicated by their lower reduction of predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), relative water content (RWC), transpiration (E), and photosynthetic parameters (Pnet and gs). Their greater redox balance was probably due to their better antioxidant efficiency. Seedling rootstocks lead to a better adaptation of clementine scions to water deficit than cutting or allotetraploid rootstock. Improving the tolerance to water deficit requires taking into consideration the rootstock genotype, propagation method, and ploidy level.

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