scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation for Open-field Fresh-market Tomato Production in Southwest and North Florida

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijia Shi ◽  
Jinghui Wang ◽  
Zhifeng Gao ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

With the phase-out of methyl bromide due to its impact on ozone depletion, research has focused on developing alternative chemical and biologically based soil disinfestation methods. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) was developed to control plant-parasitic nematodes, weeds, and soilborne pathogens. However, whether farmers will adopt ASD methods on a large scale is unknown. This study evaluates the economic viability of using ASD in open-field, fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, drawing on data from field experiments conducted in 2015 in Immokalee, FL, and Citra, FL. The experiment included three treatments: chemical soil fumigation (CSF), ASD1 [the standard ASD treatment with 1482 gal/acre molasses and 9 tons/acre composted poultry litter (CPL)], and ASD0.5 (the reduced rate ASD treatment with 741 gal/acre molasses and 4.5 tons/acre CPL). Results from the economic analysis show that ASD treatments require higher labor costs than CSF regarding land preparation and treatment application. However, yields from ASD treatments are higher than those resulting from CSF, and the improvement in yield was enough to offset the increased labor costs. Relative to CSF, ASD0.5, and ASD1 achieved additional net returns of $630.38/acre and $2770.13/acre, respectively, in Immokalee, FL. However, due to unexpected conditions unrelated to soil treatments, the net return of ASD1 was lower than that of CSF in Citra, FL. Breakeven analysis indicates that ASD treatments would remain favorable even with an increase in the molasses price. However, when the tomato price is low, ASD could potentially lose its advantage over CSF.

scholarly journals Optimizing anaerobic soil disinfestation for fresh market tomato production: Nematode and weed control, yield, and fruit quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 218 ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haichao Guo ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Marilyn E. Swisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

Evaluating anaerobic soil disinfestation and other biological soil management strategies for open-field tomato production in Florida

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bodh R. Paudel ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Jason C. Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Untreated Control ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Root Knot Nematodes ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Crop Performance

AbstractIn the search for alternative practices to chemical soil fumigation (CSF), anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) has proven to be a promising tool for soil-borne pest management and crop production improvement. The ASD treatment with composted poultry litter (CPL) and molasses (M, a labile carbon source) was identified as an effective approach for a biologically based soil disinfestation system in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in Florida. However, environmental and food-safety concerns are associated with animal manure-based amendments, which led to the exploration of composted yard waste (CYW) as a potential substitute for CPL in ASD application. In this study, field trials were conducted in Citra and Immokalee, FL to examine the effects of ASD using CYW, CPL and M compared with a commercially available microbial amendment system on root-knot nematodes, weeds, fruit yield and quality of fresh-market tomato. Treatments included (1) ASD with CPL (11 Mg ha−1) and M (6.9 m3 ha−1) (ASD0.5), (2) ASD with CYW (26.9 Mg ha−1) and M (CYW1 + M), (3) ASD with CYW (13.5 Mg ha−1) and M (CYW0.5 + M), (4) Soil Symphony Amendment (SSA), (5) CYW (26.9 Mg ha−1) alone (CYW1) and (6) a combination of CYW1 + SSA, in comparison with (7) untreated control and (8) CSF (Pic-Clor 60 at 224 kg ha−1). Cumulative soil anaerobiosis was greater in ASD0.5 compared with all the other treatments. The root-knot nematode gall index ratings on the tomato crop were significantly lower in CSF, ASD0.5, CYW1 + M and CYW0.5 + M than untreated control in Citra. Although CYW1 and SSA alone had a moderately suppressive effect on weed coverage and root-knot nematodes, their positive impact on crop performance was limited when used alone. ASD0.5, CYW1 + M and CSF had significantly higher marketable and total fruit yields than untreated control in both locations, while all treatments showed promising results in the Immokalee trial in comparison with untreated control. In general, few differences in major fruit quality attributes were found. Although using CYW in ASD was not as effective as CPL in creating soil anaerobic conditions, the enhanced crop performance in CYW1 + M and CYW0.5 + M suggests the potential of using CYW as an alternative source of organic amendment in combination with M to achieve benefits similar to those obtained with CPL-based ASD.

scholarly journals Effects of Real-time Location-specific Drip Irrigation Scheduling on Water Use, Plant Growth, Nutrient Accumulation, and Yield of Florida Fresh-market Tomato

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1372-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibukun T. Ayankojo ◽  
Kelly T. Morgan ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Kati W. Migliaccio
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Tomato Production

Florida is the largest fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)–producing state in the United States. Although vegetable production requires frequent water supply throughout the crop production cycle to produce maximum yield and ensure high-quality produce, overirrigation can reduce crop yield and increase negative environmental consequences. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare irrigation schedules by a real-time and location-specific evapotranspiration (ET)-based SmartIrrigation Vegetable App (SI) with a historic ET-based schedule (HI). A field study was conducted on drip-irrigated, fresh-market tomato during the Fall of 2015 and Spring of 2016 on a Florida sandy soil. The two scheduling methods (SI and HI) were evaluated for irrigation water application, plant biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake and partitioning, and yield in open-field tomato production. Treatments included 100% HI (T1); 66% SI (T2); 100% SI (T3); and 150% SI (T4). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment during the two production seasons. In both seasons, depth of irrigation water applied increased in the order of T2 < T3 < T1 < T4. Total water savings was greater for T3 schedule compared with T1 schedule at 22% and 16% for fall and spring seasons, respectively. No differences were observed among treatments for tomato biomass accumulation at all sampling periods during both seasons. However, T3 resulted in significantly greater total marketable yield compared with other treatments in both seasons. The impact of irrigation application rate was greater in fruit and leaf nitrogen accumulation compared with that of stem and root biomass. Based on the plant performance and water savings, this study concludes that under a sandy soil condition, a real-time location-specific irrigation scheduler improves irrigation scheduling accuracy in relation to actual crop water requirement in open-field tomato production.

scholarly journals The Effects of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation on Weed and Nematode Control, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Florida Fresh-market Tomato

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Jason Hong ◽  
Nancy Kokalis-Burelle ◽  
Joseph Albano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Yield And Quality

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is considered a promising sustainable alternative to chemical soil fumigation (CSF), and has been shown to be effective against soilborne diseases, plant-parasitic nematodes, and weeds in several crop production systems. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the effects of ASD on crop yield and quality. Therefore, a field study was conducted on fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in two different locations in Florida (Immokalee and Citra), to evaluate and compare the ASD and CSF performances on weed and nematodes control, and on fruit yield and quality. In Immokalee, Pic-Clor 60 (1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin) was used as the CSF, whereas in Citra, the CSF was Paldin™ [dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) + chloropicrin]. Anaerobic soil disinfestation treatments were applied using a mix of composted poultry litter (CPL) at the rate of 22 Mg·ha−1, and two rates of molasses [13.9 (ASD1) and 27.7 m3·ha−1 (ASD2)] as a carbon (C) source. In both locations, soil subjected to ASD reached highly anaerobic conditions, and cumulative soil anaerobiosis was 167% and 116% higher in ASD2 plots than in ASD1 plots, in Immokalee and Citra, respectively. In Immokalee, the CSF provided the most significant weed control, but ASD treatments also suppressed weeds enough to prevent an impact on yield. In Citra, all treatments, including the CSF, provided poor weed control relative to the Immokalee site. In both locations, the application of ASD provided a level of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) control equivalent to, or more effective than the CSF. In Immokalee, ASD2 and ASD1 plots provided 26.7% and 19.7% higher total marketable yield as compared with CSF plots, respectively. However, in Citra, total marketable yield was unaffected by soil treatments. Tomato fruit quality parameters were not influenced by soil treatments, except for fruit firmness in Immokalee, which was significantly higher in fruits from ASD treatments than in those from CSF soil. Fruit mineral content was similar or higher in ASD plots as compared with CSF. In fresh-market tomato, ASD applied using a mixture of CPL and molasses may be a sustainable alternative to CSF for maintaining or even improving marketable yield and fruit quality.

scholarly journals Grafting Technique to Eliminate Rootstock Suckering of Grafted Tomatoes

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Bausher
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
First Year ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Grafting Technique ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fresh Tomato ◽  
Sprout Growth

Vegetative grafting has been proposed as a technique for managing diseases in tomatoes under open-field conditions. Over 2 successive years, we investigated the use of grafting under open-field fresh tomato production and found a serious limitation with current grafting techniques, which resulted in recurring rootstock shoot regrowth (“suckering”) from the rootstock cotyledons when left intact. Left unchecked, the regrowth of tomato rootstocks can envelop the experimental scions, which can impact the growth of field-grown tomatoes. In the Fall of 2007, the cultivars Multifort, Aloha, and TX-301 with ‘FL-47’ scions were grafted by a commercial propagator. These grafted plants were planted in a field experiment and after a time period, the number of rootstock suckers was counted and removed. This process was repeated over five time periods. In 2008, we grafted all of the plants below the rootstock cotyledons. During five different time periods spanning 57 d, bud regrowth from the rootstock occurred in all studied rootstocks in 2007. The difference in the 2 years was dramatic. In the first year, the number of plants with rootstock regrowth was as high as 84.6% in some of the plots for ‘Multifort’, 30.7% for ‘Aloha’, and 15.4% for ‘TX-301’. In the second year, with a different grafting technique, no regrowth from the rootstocks was observed. Even when the rootstock regrowth was removed in 2007, the rootstock sprout growth would reappear from the rootstock. The statistical interaction of the percentage of plants with rootstock regrowth for all recorded dates in 2007 was significant for ‘Multifort’ (Tukey-Fischer P ≤ 0.05) but not ‘Aloha’ or ‘TX-301’. Although the study also contained fumigation treatments, no interaction of soil treatments on root sprouting was observed. Since adopting this method, rootstock regrowth has not been observed in subsequent field experiments for the past 3 years.

On-farm evaluations of anaerobic soil disinfestation and grafting for management of a widespread soilborne disease complex in protected culture tomato production

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Louise Testen ◽  
Marlia Bosques Martinez ◽  
Alejandra Jimenez Madrid ◽  
Loic Deblais ◽  
Christopher Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Black Dot ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Soilborne Disease ◽  
Disease Complex ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Corky Root ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Corky Root Rot

Tomato production in Ohio protected culture systems is hindered by a soilborne disease complex consisting of corky root rot (Pyrenochaeta lycopersici), black dot root rot (Colletotrichum coccodes), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), and root-knot (Meloidogyne hapla and M. incognita). In a survey of 71 high tunnels, C. coccodes was detected in 90% of high tunnels, while P. lycopersici (46%), V. dahliae (48%) and Meloidogyne spp. (45%) were found in nearly half of high tunnels. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) with wheat bran (20.2 Mg/ha) plus molasses (10.1 Mg/ha) and grafting onto ‘Maxifort’ or ‘Estamino’ rootstocks were evaluated in high tunnels on five farms. In post-ASD bioassays using trial soils, root and taproot rot severity were significantly reduced following ASD, and root-knot galling was also reduced by ASD. Soilborne pathogenic fungi were isolated less frequently from bioassay plants grown in ASD-treated soils than control soils. Similar results were observed in tomato plants grown in high tunnels. Root rot was significantly reduced by ASD in nearly all trials. Corky root rot severity was highest in non-grafted plants grown in non-treated soils, while the lowest levels of corky root rot were observed in Maxifort-grafted plants. Black dot root rot severity was higher or equivalent in grafted plants compared to non-grafted plants. Root-knot severity was lower in plants grown in ASD-treated soils in high tunnels compared to plants grown in control soils, but grafting did not significantly decrease root-knot severity. However, soil treatment did not significantly impact yield, and grafting led to inconsistent impacts on yield.

scholarly journals Implementation of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Florida Tomato Production

EDIS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (6) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Bodh R. Paudel ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Qiang Zhu ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Monica Ozores-Hampton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Production Improvement

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a relatively new technique that appears to be a promising tool for soilborne pest management and crop production improvement. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is intended to introduce ASD for Florida vegetable growers. Written by Bodh R. Paudel, Francesco Di Gioia, Qiang Zhu, Xin Zhao, Monica Ozores-Hampton, Marilyn E. Swisher, Kaylene Sattanno, Jason C. Hong, and Erin N. Rosskopf. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1345

scholarly journals Tomato Growth, Yield, and Root Development, Soil Nitrogen and Water Distribution as Affected by Nitrogen and Irrigation Rates on a Florida Sandy Soil

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (11) ◽  
pp. 1744-1755
Author(s):  
Ibukun T. Ayankojo ◽  
Kelly T. Morgan ◽  
Davie M. Kadyampakeni ◽  
Guodong D. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
N Application ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
N Rates

Effective nutrient and irrigation management practices are critical for optimum growth and yield in open-field fresh-market tomato production. Although nutrient and irrigation management practices have been well-studied for tomato production in Florida, more studies of the current highly efficient production systems would be considered essential. Therefore, a two-season (Fall 2016 and Spring 2017) study was conducted in Immokalee, FL, to evaluate the effects of the nitrogen (N) rates under different irrigation regimes and to determine the optimum N requirement for open-field fresh-market tomato production. To evaluate productivity, the study investigated the effects of N rates and irrigation regimes on plant and root growth, yield, and production efficiency of fresh-market tomato. The study demonstrated that deficit irrigation (DI) targeting 66% daily evapotranspiration (ET) replacement significantly increased tomato root growth compared with full irrigation (FI) at 100% ET. Similarly, DI application increased tomato growth early in the season compared with FI. Therefore, irrigation applications may be adjusted downward from FI, especially early during a wet season, thereby potentially improving irrigation water use efficiency (iWUE) and reducing leaching potential of Florida sandy soils. However, total marketable yield significantly increased under FI compared with DI. This suggests that although DI may increase early plant growth, the application of DI throughout the season may result in yield reduction. Although N application rates had no significant effects on biomass production, tomato marketable yield with an application rate of 134 kg·ha−1 N was significantly lower compared with other N application rates (179, 224, and 269 kg·ha−1). It was also observed that there were no significant yield benefits with N application rates higher than 179 kg·ha−1. During the fall, iWUE was higher under DI (33.57 kg·m−3) than under FI (25.57 kg·m−3); however, iWUE was similar for both irrigation treatments during spring (FI = 14.04 kg·m−3; DI = 15.29 kg·m−3). The N recovery (REC-N) rate was highest with 134 kg·ha−1 N; however, REC-N was similar with 179, 224, and 269 kg·ha−1 N rates during both fall and spring. Therefore, these study results could suggest that DI could be beneficial to tomato production only when applied during early growth stages, but not throughout the growing season. Both yield and efficiency results indicated that the optimum N requirement for open-field fresh-market tomato production in Florida may not exceed 179 kg·ha−1 N.

An alternative, low-input production system for fresh market tomatoes

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.O. Chellemi ◽  
F.M. Rhoads ◽  
S.M. Olson ◽  
J.R. Rich ◽  
D. Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Alternative System ◽  
Conventional Production ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAn alternative, low-input production system for fresh market tomato was developed using strip tillage practices in conjunction with established bahiagrass pasture. The alternative system was designed to reduce the impact of soilborne pests, minimize agricultural inputs, improve soil conservation and optimize yields. Field experiments indicate that competition from bahiagrassfor nutrients within the tilled strips significantly impacted yield. Selective colonization of tomato roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi isolated from field plots was observed. Damage from root-knot nematodes was minimized by planting tomato into established bahiagrass pastures. The alternative system was validated on a commercial tomato production farm in a side by side comparison with a conventional production system consisting of raised beds, fumigated with methyl bromide and covered by black polyethylene plastic. Yields were 6.5 t/ha greater under the conventional system. However, the net return was $568/ha greater in the alternative system. The results indicate that the alternative system has the potential to replace or supplement the conventional production system.

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