scholarly journals Cost Benefit Analysis of Using Grafted Transplants for Root-knot Nematode Management in Organic Heirloom Tomato Production

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Barrett ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Alan W. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Control Measure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Tomato Cultivar ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Grafted Transplants

Growers are looking for sustainable alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant that are effective and economical. Increased demand for organically produced fruits and vegetables has also contributed to the need for environmentally friendly soil-borne disease control methods. Grafting may be a valuable tool for vegetable growers to cope with pest management challenges in production of cucurbits and solanaceous crops; however, there are concerns regarding the higher costs associated with the use of grafted plants in the United States. The main objective of this 2-year study was to determine if grafting with a resistant rootstock could be cost-effective to overcome root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne sp.) and maintain fruit yield in organic heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in Florida's sandy soils. The heirloom tomato cultivar Brandywine was grafted onto the rootstock ‘Multifort’. Nongrafted and grafted ‘Brandywine’ plants were grown organically in two fields that exhibited different levels of RKN infestations. Grafted and nongrafted transplants were estimated to cost $0.78 and $0.17 per plant, respectively. The cost of rootstock seeds accounted for 36% ($0.28/plant) of the total cost of the grafted transplants and 46% of the cost difference between grafted and nongrafted plants. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using these estimated transplant production costs and crop yield data from the field trials as well as price information for heirloom tomato. Results showed that under severe RKN pressure, grafting may be an economically feasible pest control measure to help maintain a profitable production given that the risk of economic crop losses due to RKN outweighed the higher cost of grafted transplants.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Grafted Tomato Production in Sandy Soils in Northern Florida

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desire Djidonou ◽  
Zhifeng Gao ◽  
Xin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Grafted Transplants

In addition to controlling soilborne diseases, grafting with selected rootstocks has the potential to enhance growth and yields in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production. However, information is rather limited regarding its economic viability in different production systems in the United States. The objective of this study was to compare the costs and returns of grafted vs. nongrafted fresh-market tomato production under common management practices in fumigated fields in northern Florida. The field trials were conducted in Live Oak, FL, during Spring 2010 and 2011. ‘Florida 47’ tomato was grafted onto two interspecific hybrid tomato rootstocks: ‘Beaufort’ and ‘Multifort’. Grafted and nongrafted ‘Florida 47’ plants were grown on fumigated raised beds with polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation using recommended commercial production practices for nutrient and pest management. The estimated costs of grafted and nongrafted transplants were $0.67 and $0.15 per plant, respectively, resulting in an additional cost of $3020.16 per acre for using grafted transplants as compared with nongrafted plants. Grafting also led to higher costs of harvesting and marketing tomato fruit as a result of yield improvement (1890 to 2166 25-lb cartons per acre for grafted plant vs. 1457 to 1526 25-lb cartons per acre for nongrafted plant). Partial budget analyses showed that using grafted transplants increased tomato production costs by $4488.03–$5189.76 per acre depending on the rootstock and growing season. However, compared with nongrafted tomato, the net farm return of grafted tomato production was increased by $253.32–$2458.24 per acre based on the tomato shipping point prices. Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated that grafting would be more profitable as the costs of grafted transplants decreased and the market tomato prices increased. These results indicated that although grafting increased the total cost of production, the increase in marketable fruit yield generated significant gross returns to offset costs associated with the use of grafted tomato transplants. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to provide more production budget and net return data about the economic feasibility of grafted tomato production based on a wide range of commercial growing conditions in Florida.

The Phenoxy Herbicides: CAST

Weed Science ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Good Judgment ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Phenoxy Herbicides ◽  
The Cost

The phenoxy herbicides, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, MCPA, silvex and related materials, are selective herbicides widely used in crop production and in the management of forests, ranges and industrial, urban and aquatic sites. These chemicals are related to naturally occurring plant growth regulators. They kill plants by causing malfunctions in growth processes. Broad-leaved plants are generally susceptible to the phenoxy herbicides, whereas most grasses, coniferous trees and certain legumes are relatively resistant.The phenoxy herbicides are used to control broad-leaved weeds in wheat, barley, rice, oats, rye, corn, grain sorghums and certain legumes. Such uses increase yields, improve product quality and reduce production costs. The phenoxy herbicides are used in forests to suppress unwanted hardwood trees and brush, to reduce competition with conifers already established or to prepare sites for the regeneration of conifers. They are used on grazing lands to control unpalatable and noxious plants and to kill brush and small trees that reduce the productivity of pastures and ranges. 2,4-D and other phenoxys are used in canals, ponds, lakes and waterways to kill floating weeds such as water hyacinth, submerged weeds such as pond-weeds, and emergent and shoreline plants such as cattails and willows. Industrial and urban uses include control of brush on utility and transportation rights of way, control of dandelions, plantains and other weeds in turf and suppression of ragweed, poison ivy and other plants of public health importance.The principal hazard in the use of the phenoxys is to crops and other valuable plants either within the treated area or nearby. Treated crops and forest trees can be injured through accidental overdosing, improper timing of treatments, unusual weather conditions and other causes. Injury to nearby crops and ornamentals can result from drift of droplets or vapors of the spray. Such losses are largely preventable through the use of proper formulations and spray equipment and the exercise of good judgment.The phenoxy herbicides are predominantly toxic to green plants and are much less toxic to mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, shellfish, insects, worms, fungi and bacteria. When properly used, they do not occur in soils and water at levels harmful to animals and microorganisms. They do not concentrate in food chains and do not persist from year to year in croplands. They are detectable only rarely in food and then only in insignificant amounts.A highly poisonous kind of dioxin called TCDD is an unavoidable contaminant in commercial supplies of 2,4,5-T and silvex. The amount present in currently produced formulations of 2,4,5-T and silvex is not enough to alter the toxicological properties of these preparations or to endanger human health or to affect plants or animals in the environment.The phenoxy herbicides are widely used because they are more efficient and usually less hazardous and less injurious to the environment than alternative methods. Use of these chemicals is estimated to reduce the cost of production of the crops on which they are used by about 5% and to reduce overall agricultural production costs in the United States by about 1%. Uses in forests and nonagricultural situations provide additional savings. If the phenoxys were no longer available, the cost of food, forest products, electric power, transportation and governmental services would be higher. These costs would be borne by consumers.

scholarly journals Costs and Cost Effectiveness of a Health Care Provider–Directed Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (32) ◽  
pp. 5370-5375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veena Shankaran ◽  
Thanh Ha Luu ◽  
Narissa Nonzee ◽  
Elizabeth Richey ◽  
June M. McKoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
New York ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Academic Detailing ◽  
Crc Screening ◽  
Percentage Point Increase ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening remains underutilized in the United States. Prior studies reporting the cost effectiveness of randomized interventions to improve CRC screening have not been replicated in the setting of small physician practices. We recently conducted a randomized trial evaluating an academic detailing intervention in 264 small practices in geographically diverse New York City communities. The objective of this secondary analysis is to assess the cost effectiveness of this intervention. Methods A total of 264 physician offices were randomly assigned to usual care or to a series of visits from trained physician educators. CRC screening rates were measured at baseline and 12 months. The intervention costs were measured and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was derived. Sensitivity analyses were based on varying cost and effectiveness estimates. Results Academic detailing was associated with a 7% increase in CRC screening with colonoscopy. The total intervention cost was $147,865, and the ICER was $21,124 per percentage point increase in CRC screening rate. Sensitivity analyses that varied the costs of the intervention and the average medical practice size were associated with ICERs ranging from $13,631 to $36,109 per percentage point increase in CRC screening rates. Conclusion A comprehensive, multicomponent academic detailing intervention conducted in small practices in metropolitan New York was clinically effective in improving CRC screening rates, but was not cost effective.

scholarly journals Scenario-based Cost Analysis for Vegetable Grafting Nurseries of Different Technologies and Sizes

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 917-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myles Lewis ◽  
Chieri Kubota ◽  
Russell Tronstad ◽  
Young-Jun Son
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
High Volume ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
High Volume Production ◽  
Volume Production ◽  
Low Volume

Grafting of fruiting vegetables is a relatively new advent in the United States with promise as a technology to improve both yields and the environment. However, investing in a commercial-sized grafting enterprise requires substantial capital investment and is a risky endeavor. A tool to help evaluate grafting costs for different production technologies and sizes of operation is a useful decision aid for individuals investing in new or modifying existing operations to produce grafted plants. Using a combination of engineering and financial equations, a scenario-based analysis was completed to obtain approximate capital and variable costs per plant for both new and existing production facilities. For exemplary purposes, four scenarios consisting of two different crops (tomato and watermelon) at two production sizes with different technology levels [low-volume manual grafting (one million plants per year) and high-volume fully automated grafting (100 million plants per year)] are presented to compare costs. For simplification purpose, consistent weekly production was assumed in the cost simulation. Total capital costs were $115,127 and $118,974 for low-volume production for grafted tomato and watermelon plants, respectively. They were $21.6 million and $16.7 million under high-volume production for tomato and watermelon, respectively. Among the four scenarios evaluated, variable costs per plant (costs of plants produced) were lowest for watermelons with high-volume production ($0.089 per plant), suggesting that production costs of grafted plants could decrease by scaling up production and introducing automation. Sensitivity analyses for high-volume production of tomato showed that the electricity rate, grafting clip price, and grafting robot speed were factors with the greatest influence on costs of plants. Scenario-based cost analysis was shown to be an effective tool for developing strategies to reduce the price of grafted plants.

scholarly journals Technology, Policy, and Market Adaptation Mechanisms for Sustainable Fresh Produce Industry: The Case of Tomato Production in Florida, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5933
Author(s):  
Saoli Chanda ◽  
Mahadev Bhat ◽  
Kateel G. Shetty ◽  
Krishnaswamy Jayachandran
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Adaptation Mechanisms

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Florida, a state located in the south-eastern region of the United States. The state is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the country and contributes to almost 90% of the domestic winter tomato supplies. However, tomato farmers in Florida have come under increasing pressure due to climate changes, foreign imports, and rising production costs. The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether Florida tomato growers will continue to sustain their production given the seasonal and geographic production advantage, yet against various internal and external threats emerging throughout the fresh produce supply chain. We developed our study on a multi-disciplinary conceptual model of network (supply chain) relationship and primary and secondary data gathered from various stakeholders and the literature. We found that Florida farmers have done remarkably well by adapting to warming temperatures and changing consumer expectations about environmental sustainability and responsible labor practices. However, foreign competition, labor shortage, the rising costs of inputs, extreme weather events (hurricanes), and pests and diseases due to humid climate continue to affect the sustainability of the Florida tomato production. Our paper suggests various farm-, market-, and institution-level adaptation mechanisms for preventing the regional production advantage of the Florida tomato industry from eroding. Newer immigration laws are necessary for easing the labor situation. In order to have a level playing field with respect to the use of protected agriculture technology such as in Mexico and Canada, U.S. farmers in general and Florida farmers in particular need government support. Florida farmers need to diversify their fresh produce market strategies, finding new product streams. There is also a need for reforming the product certification landscape, which some growers find cumbersome and cost prohibitive. Growers may gain from being better able to convey to consumers the information regarding their effort put into environmental sustainability, workers welfare, and safe food.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Stocking Dantrolene in Ambulatory Surgery Centers for the Treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia

2014 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1333-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiwo Aderibigbe ◽  
Barbara H. Lang ◽  
Henry Rosenberg ◽  
Qixuan Chen ◽  
Guohua Li
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Malignant Hyperthermia ◽  
Ambulatory Surgery ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Ambulatory Surgery Centers ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare hypermetabolic syndrome of the skeletal muscle and a potentially fatal complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene is currently the only specific treatment for MH. The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States has issued guidelines recommending that 36 vials (20 mg per vial) of dantrolene remain in stock at every surgery center. However, the cost of stocking dantrolene in ambulatory surgery centers has been a concern. The purpose of this analysis is to assess the cost-effectiveness of stocking dantrolene in ambulatory surgery centers as recommended by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States. Methods: A decision tree model was used to compare treatment with dantrolene to a supportive care-only strategy. Model assumptions include the incidence of MH, MH case fatality with dantrolene treatment and with supportive care-only. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the estimated cost-effectiveness. Results: The estimated annual number of MH events in ambulatory surgery centers in the United States was 47. The incremental effectiveness of dantrolene compared with supportive care was 33 more lives saved per year. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $196,320 (in 2010 dollars) per life saved compared with a supportive care strategy. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust for the plausible range of all variables and assumptions tested. Conclusion: The results of this analysis suggest that stocking dantrolene for the treatment of MH in ambulatory surgery centers as recommended by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States is cost-effective when compared with the estimated values of statistical life used by U.S. regulatory agencies.

scholarly journals Effect of Fertilizer N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Si on Tomato Yields in an Oxisol

1969 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34
Author(s):  
R. Abrams ◽  
L. Cruz-Pérez ◽  
R. Pietri-Oms ◽  
F. J. Juliá
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Tomato Cultivar ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Different Levels

The effect of different levels of N, P, and K with and without Ca, Mg and Si, was studied on tomato cultivar Floradel at the Isabela Experiment Substation. The results obtained revealed that 224 Kg N and P/ha appear to be adequate for tomato production in a Coto clay, an Oxisol. A fertilizer-yield equation was employed to describe the relationship between applications of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and the yield in metric tons/ha of marketable tomatoes, in an experiment conducted in the same soil. The equation fitted very well the yield data obtained with nitrogen and phosphorus, but not so well mth that obtained with potassium. The poor fit of the potassium equation may have been due to the high level of potassium in the soil.

scholarly journals An Economic Analysis of Two Grafted Tomato Transplant Production Systems in the United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cary L. Rivard ◽  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Suzanne O'Connell ◽  
Mary M. Peet ◽  
Frank J. Louws
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Commercial Farming ◽  
Economic Production ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
The Cost

The grafting of herbaceous vegetables is an emerging development in the United States. This report provides an estimate of the variable costs of grafting within U.S. tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) transplant production systems. Grafted and nongrafted plants were propagated at two commercial farming operations in Ivanhoe, NC (NC) and Strasburg, PA (PA) and the farm in NC produced certified organic transplants. Detailed economic production sequences were generated for each site, and grafted and nongrafted transplant production costs were $0.59 and $0.13 in NC, and $1.25 and $0.51 in PA, respectively. Direct costs associated with grafting (e.g., grafting labor, clips, chamber, etc.) accounted for 37% to 38% of the added cost of grafting, and grafting labor was 11.1% to 14.4% of the cost of grafted transplant production. Seed costs represented 52% and 33% of the added cost of grafting at the two sites, and indirect costs (e.g., soil, trays, and heating) accounted for 10% and 30% of the added cost of grafting. Our findings suggest that under current seed prices and with similar production practices, the feasibility of grafting in the United States is not disproportionately affected by domestic labor costs. Additionally, the economic models presented in this report identify the cost of production at various transplant stages, and provide a valuable tool for growers interested in grafted tomato transplant production and utilization.

Outbreaks of Tomato Chlorotic Spot Tospovirus in Commercial Tomato Fields and Effectiveness of Different Management Measures in South Florida

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-193
Author(s):  
Qingchun Liu ◽  
Qingren Wang ◽  
Shouan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Susceptible Cultivar ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Tomato Cultivar ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Chlorotic Spot ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Tomato Cultivars

Tomato chlorotic spot tospovirus (TCSV) is an emerging tospovirus in south Florida. TCSV has caused significant damage to tomato production since its discovery in the United States in 2012. Effective measures for managing tomato chlorotic spot (TCS) disease have not been determined in commercial production fields except for planting resistant/tolerant tomato cultivars. In this study, the distribution of TCS in commercial tomato fields was investigated, and the two grower-implemented control measures, the use of resistant tomato cultivars and UV-reflective plastic mulch to repel TCSV vectors, were evaluated for any effect on the incidence of infection or disease when a severe outbreak occurred during the 2018 to 2019 season. A gradient TCS disease was found throughout the field planted with the susceptible cultivar ‘Sanibel’, suggesting a dispersal of the vectors from external sources and the influence of wind direction on disease distribution. Results from the surveys showed that the resistant/tolerant tomato cultivar ‘Red Bounty’ had significantly (P < 0.05) lower infection with TCSV compared with the susceptible cultivar Sanibel on the same type of plastic mulch in adjacent fields. UV-reflective plastic mulch significantly reduced TCS incidence in the susceptible tomato cultivar Sanibel compared with the standard white plastic mulch. This study provided first-hand support for recommendations to effectively manage TCS in tomato fields in south Florida.

Cost-effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP compared with device-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted ERCP in patients with Roux-en-Y anatomy

Endoscopy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 1051-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailey J. James ◽  
Theodore W. James ◽  
Stephanie B. Wheeler ◽  
Jennifer C. Spencer ◽  
Todd H. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Endoscopic Ultrasound ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Laparoscopic Assisted ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is the second most common weight loss surgery in the United States. Treatment of pancreaticobiliary disease in this patient population is challenging due to the altered anatomy, which limits the use of standard instruments and techniques. Both nonoperative and operative modalities are available to overcome these limitations, including device-assisted (DAE) endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), laparoscopic-assisted (LA) ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE). The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of ERCP-based modalities for treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases in post-RYGB patients. Methods A decision tree model with a 1-year time horizon was used to analyze the cost-effectiveness of EDGE, DAE-ERCP, and LA-ERCP in post-RYGB patients. Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess a plausible range of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, net monetary benefit calculations, and a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve. One-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were also performed to assess how changes in key parameters affected model conclusions. Results EDGE resulted in the lowest total costs and highest total quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) for a total of $5188/QALY, making it the dominant alternative compared with DAE-ERCP and LA-ERCP. In probabilistic analyses, EDGE was the most cost-effective modality compared with LA-ERCP and DAE-ERCP in 94.4 % and 97.1 % of simulations, respectively. Conclusion EDGE was the most cost-effective modality in post-RYGB anatomy for treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases compared with DAE-ERCP and LA-ERCP. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that this conclusion was robust to changes in important model parameters.

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