Effect of Harvest Schedule on Organic Kale Grown during the Winter in High Tunnels

We examined the effect of harvest schedule on the yield of ‘Red Russian’ kale (Brassica napus ssp. napus var. pabularia) grown during the winter in 16 × 32-ft high tunnels in northern New Mexico. We conducted the study for two growing seasons: 2013–14 and 2014–15. All plots were sown on 16 Oct. and harvested four times according to four harvest schedules: A) 8, 16, 20, and 24 weeks after sowing; B) 10, 17, 21, and 25 weeks after sowing; C) 12, 18, 22, and 26 weeks after sowing; and D) 14, 19, 23, and 27 weeks after sowing. The first harvest of each treatment was the greatest, averaging 216 g/ft2, compared with 88, 109, and 104 g/ft2 for harvests 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Season total yield of treatments B, C, and D (harvests beginning at 10, 12, and 14 weeks after sowing) yielded significantly more than treatment A, but only in year 2, when delayed growth resulted in very low yields for treatment A at harvest 1. Considering the entire 240-ft2 cropped area of the high tunnel, staggered harvests of 60 ft2 at a time can yield 2.6 to 17.5 kg per harvest or up to 124 kg over an entire season. Although we examined the yield of mature leaves, harvests could possibly begin earlier than in this study for “baby” kale or salad mixes, and the area harvested could be tailored to plant growth stage and market demand.

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Fruit Cluster Pruning of Tomato in an Organic High-Tunnel System

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci13487-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 311-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brian A. Mitchell ◽

Mark E. Uchanski ◽

Adriane Elliott

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fresh Fruit ◽

The Other ◽

Load Management ◽

High Tunnel ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Yield Quality ◽

Tomato Cultivars ◽

Certified Organic

This research assessed fruit load management and production techniques for cultivating indeterminate tomatoes in a high tunnel under intensive organic management. The successful production of high-quality, high-yielding crops is important for fruit and vegetable producers, especially growers using high tunnels. High tunnels are well-suited to organic farming and can be used to grow many valuable specialty crops. Fruit load management is practiced in fruit production (e.g., apples, peaches, and grapes), but there is lack of consensus concerning the effectiveness of fruit cluster pruning on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and its impact on fruit yield, quality, and marketability. In addition, there is no published research on tomato cluster pruning in certified organic systems or intensively managed high tunnels (e.g., densely planted, trellised, vegetatively pruned plants) for the Front Range of Colorado. In 2016 and 2017, a randomized complete block design was used to test the effects of cluster pruning within a high tunnel on certified organic land at Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center, South. Two treatments and three tomato cultivars were selected for the study; the treatment–cultivar combinations were replicated six times within a high tunnel. The treatments involved reducing fruit loads to three fruit and six fruit per cluster, whereas plants with unpruned clusters, which naturally developed as many as 10 fruit, served as the control. Tomato cultivars evaluated were ‘Cherokee Purple’, a widely studied heirloom, and two hybrids: ‘Jet Star’ and ‘Lola’. Parameters measured included total yield, individual fresh fruit weight, soluble solids content (SSC), marketable yield, and nonmarketable yield. Individual fresh fruit weight increased for both hybrids in the three-fruit treatment, averaged over two growing seasons. ‘Cherokee Purple’ did not respond to the cluster pruning treatments. There was no decrease in total yield, across all cultivars, between treatments and the unpruned control. However, ‘Jet Star’ yielded more than the other two cultivars. In addition, SSC and marketability measurements were more influenced by cultivar than cluster pruning treatments. ‘Lola’ had a significantly greater SSC than the other two cultivars. ‘Jet Star’ had the greatest marketable yields of all cultivars tested whereas ‘Cherokee Purple’ produced greater nonmarketable (cull) yields. Cluster pruning produced larger organic tomatoes without reducing yield or quality for two of the three cultivars used in the study. Cultivar selection remains one of the greatest factors in determining yield, quality, and marketability of a crop.

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Colored Bell Pepper Yields from Cultivars Grown in High Tunnels in Northern New England

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04577-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 456-462

Author(s):

Rebecca Grube Sideman

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Growing Season ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Bell Peppers ◽

Controlled Environments

High tunnels can facilitate production of ripe colored bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) in locations with short growing seasons by extending the length of the growing season and protecting fruit from biotic and abiotic stressors. We grew 10 cultivars of bell pepper over 3 years in a high tunnel in Durham, NH. Yields of marketable colored fruit ranged from 1576 to 2285 g/plant in 2015, from 1194 to 1839 g/plant in 2016, and 1471 to 2358 g/plant in 2017. Significant differences in marketable yield among cultivars existed only in 2015 and 2017. Of the 10 cultivars evaluated, those developed for controlled environments produced greater marketable yields than those developed for production in the field or unheated tunnels (P < 0.0001). The seasonal production patterns were similar among cultivars in all 3 years: a single peak in production occurred between 159 and 175 days after seeding, followed by much lower but steady production until frost ended each growing season. Our results demonstrate that reasonable yields of colored bell peppers can be produced in high tunnels in locations with short growing seasons. We suggest that further work may be needed to identify optimal pruning and canopy management strategies to maximize yields and fruit quality.

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High Tunnel Apricot Production in Frost-prone Northern New Mexico

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04315-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 457-460

Author(s):

Shengrui Yao ◽

Steve Guldan ◽

Robert Heyduck

Keyword(s):

New Mexico ◽

Open Field ◽

Block Design ◽

Fruit Production ◽

Prunus Armeniaca ◽

Market Prices ◽

Spindle System ◽

High Tunnel ◽

High Tunnels ◽

High Yields

Late frost is the number one issue challenging fruit production in northern New Mexico. We had apricot (Prunus armeniaca) trees in an open field planting at Alcalde, NM, and not a single fruit was harvested from 2001 through 2014. Apricot trees in surrounding communities produce sporadic crops. In 2012, we planted apricots in two 16 × 40-ft high tunnels (9.5-ft high point). Trees were trained to a spindle system in one high tunnel and an upright fruiting offshoot (UFO) system in the other, and there were identical plantings in the open field for each high tunnel. Supplemental heating was provided starting at blooming time. There were five cultivars planted in each high tunnel at 4 × 8-ft spacing in a randomized complete block design with two replications (rows) and two trees per cultivar in each plot. In 2015, relatively high yields were obtained from all cultivars. The average yields for the spindle system were (lb/tree): ‘Puget Gold’ (29.0), ‘Harcot’ (24.1), ‘Golden Amber’ (19.6), ‘Chinese Apricot’ (18.6), and ‘Katy’ (16.7). Yields for the UFO system were (lb/tree): ‘Golden Amber’ (18.6), ‘Katy’ (14.9), ‘Puget Gold’ (11.3), ‘Chinese Apricot’ (10.2), and ‘Harcot’ (8.6). On average across all cultivars, the UFO system produced 60% of the yield of the spindle system in 2015. A heating device is necessary for high tunnel apricot fruit production in northern New Mexico because trees normally bloom in early to late March, depending on the year, while frosts can continue until mid-May. In years like 2017 and 2018 with temperatures below 10 °F in late February/early March, some of the expanded flower buds were killed before bloom. On those cold nights, one 100-lb tank of propane may or may not be enough for 1 night’s frost protection. Economically, it would not be feasible in those years. Only in years with a cool spring, late-blooming trees, and mild temperatures in April and May can high tunnel apricot production generate positive revenue with high, direct-market prices. High tunnel apricot production with heating devices is still risky and cannot guarantee a reliable crop in northern New Mexico or similar areas.

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High Tunnels Are My Crop Insurance: An Assessment of Risk Management Tools for Small-scale Specialty Crop Producers

Agricultural and Resource Economics Review ◽

10.1017/s1068280500004445 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 403-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Eric Belasco ◽

Suzette Galinato ◽

Tom Marsh ◽

Carol Miles ◽

Russell Wallace

Keyword(s):

Crop Insurance ◽

Small Scale ◽

Management Tools ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Specialty Crop ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Protection And Control ◽

And Control ◽

Field Production

High tunnels are being used by specialty crop producers to enhance production yields and quality, extend growing seasons, and protect crops from extreme weather. The tunnels are unheated, plastic-covered structures under which crops are planted directly in the soil, and they provide greater environmental protection and control than open-field production. This study uses field-level experiments to evaluate high-tunnel production. The results suggest that investments in high tunnels can provide increased profits and superior protection against adverse risks relative to crop insurance.

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Effect of Sowing Date and Harvest Schedule on Organic Spinach Grown during the Winter in High Tunnels

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04257-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 320-329

Author(s):

Robert F. Heyduck ◽

Steven J. Guldan ◽

Ivette Guzmán

Keyword(s):

New Mexico ◽

Plant Height ◽

Plant Density ◽

Spinacia Oleracea ◽

Direct Marketing ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

High Tunnels

In a two-part study, we examined the effect of sowing date and harvest schedule on the yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown during the winter in 16 × 32-ft-high tunnels in northern New Mexico. Each part of the study was conducted for two growing seasons and took place between 2012 and 2015. In Study A (2012–13 and 2013–14), spinach was sown four times at roughly 2-week intervals (mid-October, early November, mid-November, and early December) and plant density (plants per square foot), plant height (centimeters), and yield (grams per square foot) were measured for three harvests in mid-January, mid-February, and mid-March. The earliest sowing date had the least-dense stands, and plant density increased with each subsequent sowing. The two earliest sowing dates had significantly higher season-long yield than the later two sowings. In Study B (2013–14 and 2014–15), all plots were sown in mid-October, but harvest schedule treatments were staggered such that harvests began at 9, 11, 13, or 15 weeks after sowing and continued at irregular intervals. Treatment 2, with harvests beginning after 11 weeks, had the greatest season-long yield, slightly greater than when harvests began at 9 weeks, and significantly more than when harvest began 13 weeks or later. More importantly, a staggered harvest schedule can provide spinach weekly for direct marketing opportunities.

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

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech04610-20 ◽

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.

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Effect of a High Tunnel, Organic Cropping System on Lettuce Diseases in Western Washington

Plant Health Progress ◽

10.1094/php-2013-0922-01-rs ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Marianne Powell ◽

Jeremy Cowan ◽

Carol Miles ◽

Debra Ann Inglis

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Production Systems ◽

Total Yield ◽

Cropping System ◽

Gray Mold ◽

Organic Production ◽

High Tunnel ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Lettuce Drop ◽

Field Plots

Incidence of gray mold and lettuce drop, and yield of six cultivars representing market classes Boston/Crisphead, Leaf, and Romaine, were evaluated in open ended high tunnel and open field organic production systems near Mount Vernon, WA from 2010 to 2012. Each year seedlings were transplanted in April and heads harvested in June/July. In 2010, Romaine types had significantly (P < 0.0001) greater incidence of gray mold (caused by Botrytis cinerea) than other types. In 2011, incidence of gray mold was significantly (P = 0.004) greater in high tunnel than open field plots, and greatest in high tunnels when fog persisted. All cultivars were equally susceptible to lettuce drop (caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), although in 2012, incidence was significantly (P < 0.0001) greater in high tunnel than open field plots. ‘Green Star’ (Leaf type) had reduced incidence of gray mold and lettuce drop in 2010 and 2011. Incidence of tipburn was significantly (P = 0.032 and P = 0.001, respectively) greater in the high tunnels in 2011 and 2012 compared to the open field. Total yield (kg) was greater in the open field in 2012, but not in 2011 and 2010. Accepted for publication 8 July 2013. Published 22 September 2013.

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Winter Broccoli and Cauliflower under Organic High Tunnels in a Humid, Subtropical Climate

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci12291-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 1511-1517 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Suzanne O’Connell ◽

Robert Tate

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Subtropical Climate ◽

Crop Canopy ◽

Planting Dates ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Tunnel System

There is a lack of information related to adapting high tunnel systems to humid, subtropical climates in the Southeastern United States, resulting in a disadvantage for their use to extend growing seasons and meet the increasing demand for local horticulture products. This research project explored the possibility of growing organic broccoli and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) under high tunnels during two consecutive fall/winter seasons in northeast Georgia (USDA plant hardiness zone 8a), particularly evaluating questions related to crop feasibility, planting dates and cultivar choices. Marketable yields for high tunnel broccoli ranged from ≈11,800 to 15,800 kg·ha−1 and were not consistently affected by either planting date or cultivar type. Broccoli required an additional 8–45 days to reach maturity compared with seed catalog estimates with harvesting occurring during mid-December to mid-January. Marketable yields for high tunnel cauliflower ranged from ≈8600 to 26,000 kg·ha−1 and were affected primarily by the cultivar type. Cauliflower required an additional 19–56 days to mature with harvesting occurring during the entire month of January. The first season was cooler than the second with the lowest growing degree days (GDD) units accumulated during the months of January and February. Differences in air temperature at the crop canopy between the high tunnel system and open field were largely related to high tunnel ventilation protocols that changed as the season progressed. An average heat gain of 7 to 8 °C under the high tunnels at crop canopy height was documented on the coldest days and an average of 1 °C gain on the warmest days compared with the open field. Overall, winter broccoli appeared more adaptable to high tunnels than cauliflower but production of both crops may be possible if planting dates and cultivar types are taken into account for the region.

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High Tunnel Production of Tomatoes for Season Extension in Southeast Alabama

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae6040094 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 94

Author(s):

Bradley Reeder ◽

Wheeler Foshee ◽

Eugene Blythe ◽

Raymond Kessler ◽

Joseph Kemble ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Early Spring ◽

Planting Date ◽

Tomato Production ◽

High Tunnel ◽

Solanum Lycopersicum L ◽

Harvest Dates ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Season Extension ◽

Marketable Fruit

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate variety selection and planting date for spring and fall season extension of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. (syn.: Lycoperisicon esculentum Mill.)) production in high tunnels in southeast Alabama. ‘BHN 640’, ‘Florida 91’, ‘Sun Leaper’, and ‘Carolina Gold’ were evaluated for early spring production in 2004. These varieties did not differ in total yield of marketable fruit; however, ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Sun Leaper’ produced higher early yields compared with the other varieties. ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Florida 91’ were evaluated for late-season extension in fall 2004. ‘BHN 640’ produced higher yields of large, medium, total marketable, and unmarketable fruit grades than ‘Florida 91’. In a study conducted in early 2005, higher yields of marketable fruit were produced from the first planting date (31 January) compared with the final of four planting date (25 Mar.). In summary, results indicated that season extension of tomato production in high tunnels was possible, with harvests three weeks earlier in the spring and 12 weeks later in the fall compared with typical field harvest dates. These early yields can command prices from $3.30 to $4.40US per kg of fruit.

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On the Hybrid F1 Characteristics of Physiology, Biochemistry, Product Quality and Resistance to Black Shank in Oriental Tobacco

Beiträge zur Tabakforschung International/Contributions to Tobacco Research ◽

10.2478/cttr-2013-0703 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 159-165

Author(s):

X Chen ◽

J Guo ◽

J Huang ◽

J Yang ◽

T Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Product Quality ◽

Growth Stage ◽

Early Stage ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Black Shank ◽

Photosynthetic Rates ◽

Mature Leaves ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Vigorous Growth ◽

Yield Quality

AbstractExperiments were conducted from 1996 to 1998 at the Hefei Institute of Economics and Technology and at the Oriental Experimental Station of the Zhejiang Province (China). Seven F1 hybrids and three parental varieties of Oriental tobaccos were evaluated for the characteristics of photosynthetic and transpiration rates, esterase isozymes, resistance to black shank, quality and product potential from the 1996-1998 growing seasons. Tobacco leaves had higher photosynthetic rates and many differences among genotypes in the early stage of plant vigorous growth compared with more mature leaves. However, transpiration rates were lower in the younger leaves and greater in the more mature leaves. All the entries had four common bands (B1, B3, B4 and B6) of the esterase isoenzymes. Differences between entries resulted from in having or not having the B2 and B5 bands and color intensity differences of all the bands. These differences could be used to identify individual entries. The F1hybrids Samsun X Toy and Samsun X Argjiro, compared with the CK Samsun control, had obvious heterotic vigor in the characteristics of product, for yield, quality and resistance to black shank. The F1 hybrid Samsun X Toy maintained higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates in the two growth stages compared to other entries. However, the F1hybrid Samsun X Argjiro had higher photosynthetic rates and lower transpiration rates in the early growth stage and the two rates were lower in the later stage, but it maintained higher photosynthetic rates for the whole growth stage. Net photosynthetic rates had a significant positive correlation with yield product, quality and resistance to black shank of the Oriental tobacco F1hybrids.

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