scholarly journals Miniature Head Lettuce Yield and Anthocyanin Concentration under High Tunnels and the Field in Georgia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Suzanne O’Connell
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Wetness ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Daily Light Integral ◽  
Field System ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Anthocyanin Concentration ◽  
Lettuce Yield ◽  
Light Integral ◽  
Organically Managed

This study evaluated the yield of eight miniature lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars (i.e., mini-lettuce) grown under organically managed high tunnels compared with a field system during two spring seasons in Georgia. Mini-lettuce required an average of 36 to 40 days to harvest in both systems with a 86% to 97% marketability rate. The high tunnels provided a heat gain on the coldest days, decreased leaf wetness, and resulted in a lower daily light integral compared with the field. In 2015, mini-lettuce yields were similar between the high tunnel and field, but in 2016, yields were greater under the high tunnels. In 2016 only, there was a significant system by cultivar interaction for yield, suggesting that the high tunnels provided a yield increase for ‘Baby Green Oakleaf’ and ‘Spretnak’ mini-lettuce. Differences in the daily light integral between the high tunnels and field appeared to affect the accumulation of anthocyanins in red-pigmented mini-lettuce. Anthocyanin concentrations were 26% to 194% greater in mini-lettuce grown in the field compared with under high tunnels. The cultivar Rhazes had the greatest anthocyanin concentrations of all red-pigmented mini-lettuce evaluated but also lower yields.

scholarly journals Lettuce Yield and Quality When Grown in High Tunnel and Open-Field Production Systems Under Three Diverse Climates

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 659-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell W. Wallace ◽  
Annette L. Wszelaki ◽  
Carol A. Miles ◽  
Jeremy S. Cowan ◽  
Jeffrey Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Field ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Mount Vernon ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Lettuce Yield ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Field Production

Field studies were conducted during 2010 and 2011 in Knoxville, TN; Lubbock, TX; and Mount Vernon, WA; to compare high tunnel and open-field organic production systems for season extension and adverse climate protection on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) yield and quality. The climates of these locations are diverse and can be typified as hot and humid (Knoxville), hot and dry (Lubbock), and cool and humid (Mount Vernon). In both years, 6-week-old lettuce seedlings of ‘New Red Fire’ and ‘Green Star’ (leafy type), ‘Adriana’ and ‘Ermosa’ (butterhead type), and ‘Coastal Star’ and ‘Jericho’ (romaine type) were transplanted in the late winter or early spring into subplots covered with black plastic and grown to maturity (43 to 65 days). Lettuce harvest in Knoxville occurred at 50 to 62 days after transplanting (DAT), with open-field lettuce harvested an average of 9 days earlier compared with high tunnel plots both years (P > 0.0001). The earlier than anticipated harvests in the open-field in Knoxville in 2010 were due to lettuce bolting. In Lubbock, high tunnel lettuce was harvested an average 16 days earlier in 2010 compared with open-field lettuce (P > 0.0001), while in 2011, high temperatures and bolting required that open-field lettuce be harvested 4 days earlier than lettuce grown in high tunnels. On average, lettuce cultivars at Mount Vernon matured and were harvested 56 to 61 DAT in 2010 and 54 to 64 DAT in 2011 with no significant differences between high tunnel and open-field production systems. Total and marketable yields at Mount Vernon and Lubbock averaged across cultivars were comparable in both high tunnel and open-field plots. At Knoxville, although total yields were significantly higher (P > 0.0062) in high tunnels than open-field plots, incidence of insect, disease, and physiological damage in high tunnel plots reduced lettuce quality and marketable yield (P > 0.0002). Lettuce head length:diameter ratio (LDR) averaged across cultivars was equal between high tunnel and the open field at all three locations. High tunnel production systems offer greater control of environments suitable for lettuce production, especially in climates like Knoxville and Lubbock where later-planted open-field systems may be more susceptible to temperature swings that may affect lettuce quality. These results suggest that although high tunnel culture alone may influence lettuce yield and quality, regional climates likely play a critical role in determining the impact of these two production systems on marketable lettuce yields.

scholarly journals Canopy Cover and Root-zone Heating Effects on Fall- and Spring-grown Leaf Lettuce Yield in Ohio

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie R. Bumgarner ◽  
Mark A. Bennett ◽  
Peter P. Ling ◽  
Robert W. Mullen ◽  
Matthew D. Kleinhenz
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Electric Heating ◽  
Leaf Biomass ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Lettuce Yield

Low and high tunnels and root-zone heating systems are proven tools in horticultural production. However, impacts of their separate and combined application on crop yield, composition, and microclimates are underreported. We addressed these gaps in the literature by exposing lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to four microclimates established with low and high tunnels and root-zone heating during the spring and fall of 2 years in Wooster, OH. Red-leaved romaine lettuce cultivars Outredgeous and Flagship were direct-seeded into raised beds in both outdoor and high-tunnel settings in early October and late March and harvested multiple times over 4 weeks. Half of all plots in each setting were underlain by electric heating cables, and half were covered with 0.8-mil, clear, vented, low tunnels. A growing medium consisting of peat moss, compost, soil, and red clover (Trifolium pratense) hay was used, and all plots were overhead-irrigated. Soil and air temperatures were monitored throughout the experiments, which were repeated four times (2 seasons/year × 2 years). Here, we report primarily on treatment effects on crop yield and related variables. Root- and shoot-zone conditions and cultivar significantly affected leaf biomass in both settings (outdoor, high tunnel), while population was more often affected in the outdoor experiments. Microclimate main effects were more prevalent than cultivar effects or interactions. Leaf yield was greater in low-tunnel-covered and bottom-heated plots than in uncovered and unheated plots. We take these data as further evidence of the potential to alter lettuce yield through root- and shoot-zone microclimate modification, particularly in regions prone to dynamic seasonal and within-season temperature and light conditions. The data also suggest that the relative performance of low and high tunnels in the production of short-statured, quick-cycling crops during fall and spring be more thoroughly evaluated.

scholarly journals Strawberry Cultivar Evaluation under High-tunnel and Organic Management in North Carolina

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjun Gu ◽  
Wenjing Guan ◽  
John E. Beck
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Cultivar Differences ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Camino Real ◽  
San Andreas ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Soluble Solid ◽  
Strawberry Cultivar ◽  
Organically Managed

High-tunnel strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) production for extended seasons has a great economic potential for small farmers. However, information on cultivars that are suitable for high tunnels is rather limited. In this study conducted in the 2014–15 season, strawberry plugs of eight June-bearing cultivars (Florida Radiance, Benicia, Camarosa, Camino Real, Chandler, Strawberry Festival, Sweet Charlie, and Winterstar) and two day-neutral cultivars (San Andreas and Albion) were evaluated for yield performance, fruit quality, and vegetative growth in organically managed high tunnels at two locations in North Carolina. Significant cultivar differences in whole-season yield were observed at Greensboro, NC; but not at Goldsboro, NC. The cultivar Florida Radiance had the highest marketable and total yields, followed by Winterstar and Chandler at Greensboro, whereas Benicia, Winterstar, and Chandler were the top producing cultivars at Goldsboro. Harvest of day-neutral cultivars San Andreas and Albion started in November. For June-bearing cultivars, Florida Radiance began to produce harvestable berries in late December, followed by Winterstar in early January. Peak harvest occurred in April for all cultivars. At the end of the season, ‘Albion’ had smaller canopy size than other cultivars. It also developed the fewest number of branch crowns and least aboveground biomass. Total soluble solid (TSS) content in April was lower than that observed early and late in the season for all cultivars, although Strawberry Festival exhibited a relatively stable TSS throughout the season. ‘Benicia’ produced the largest strawberries in the early season, but its fruit weight was remarkably reduced as the season progressed. Severe frost events occurred on 18 and 20 Feb. that caused an average of 61.5% and 32.2% open blossom damage at Greensboro and Goldsboro, respectively. The recommended cultivars based on this 1-year study are Florida Radiance, Benicia, and Camino Real for June-bearing cultivars, and Albion and San Andreas for day-neutral cultivars.

scholarly journals The Effect of Open-Ended High Tunnels in Western Washington on Late Blight and Physiological Leaf Roll Among Five Tomato Cultivars

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (12) ◽  
pp. 1639-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Powell ◽  
B. Gundersen ◽  
J. Cowan ◽  
C. A. Miles ◽  
D. A. Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Late Blight ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Leaf Roll ◽  
Leaf Wetness ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Tomato Cultivars ◽  
Field Plots

A 3-year study in western Washington from 2010 to 2012 evaluated five tomato cultivars for tomato disease development and yield in open-ended high-tunnel versus open-field settings. Findings in 2010 revealed that severity of late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (US-11), was significantly (P = 0.002) lower in high-tunnel compared with open-field experimental plots based on area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) values of 0.02 versus 321, respectively. In spite of rescue foliar fungicide applications to open-field plots in 2011 and 2012, the mean number of late blight infections across cultivars was 1.8 to 30.8 compared with only 0 to 6.5 in high tunnels for these years. Furthermore, accumulated hours of leaf wetness were fewer in high tunnels than the open field each year (857 versus 1,060 in 2010, 598 versus 998 in 2011, and 885 versus 923 in 2012). Cultivar susceptibility to late blight could not be differentiated in high tunnels due to low disease pressure. However, all five cultivars proved susceptible in the open field, with ‘Oregon Spring’ consistently having the most lesions. In contrast, high-tunnel production contributed to an increased severity of physiological leaf roll compared with open-field production each year, and these values differed significantly (P = 0.0335 and 0.0252) in 2011 and 2012, respectively. AUDPC values for physiological leaf roll showed that Oregon Spring was significantly (P = <0.0001) less susceptible than other cultivars each year. Physiological leaf roll correlated positively (r values of 0.758 to 0. 960) and significantly (P < 0.05) with leaf wetness and air temperature in all years in both high-tunnel and open-field settings but the same was not true for relative humidity. Even with severe physiological leaf roll, high-tunnel production in 2010 resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) greater total tomato yield than open-field production (35.0 versus 10.6 t ha−1). Although a significant interaction between production system and cultivar occurred in 2011 and 2012, tomato yield always was greater in high-tunnel than open-field plots. Open-ended high tunnels offer tomato growers a potential tool for managing late blight in western Washington while also increasing yield, and could be especially useful in organic production.

scholarly journals Leaf Lettuce Yield Is More Sensitive to Low Daily Light Integral than Kale and Spinach

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 2159-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Baumbauer ◽  
Colleen B. Schmidt ◽  
Macdonald H. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Quadratic Model ◽  
Daily Light Integral ◽  
Lettuce Yield ◽  
Leaf Lettuce ◽  
Light Integral ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Area Response

Kale, leaf lettuce, and spinach were grown for 28 days in growth chambers under daily light integrals (DLI) of 8, 10, 12, and 14 mol·m−2·d−1. Fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration were measured. Increasing DLI positively influenced lettuce FW; an increase from 1.27 g/plant to 4.33 g/plant was measured. DW for all species increased in a linear fashion under increasing DLI, with lettuce increasing 203%, kale 47%, and spinach 42% as DLI increased from 8 to 14 mol·m−2·d−1. Leaf area response was species-dependent, with lettuce leaf area increasing under increasing DLI while kale leaf area decreased under higher DLI. Chlorophyll levels in kale leaves decreased from DLI of 8 to 12 mol·m−2·d−1, and then increased to 14 mol·m−2·d−1 DLI. Chlorophyll content in kale leaves had a nonlinear response to DLI and the best fit was with a quadratic model. Growers wanting to add supplemental lighting can expect the greatest gains in lettuce yield compared with those of kale and spinach.

scholarly journals Impact of Shade and Fogging on High Tunnel Production and Mineral Content of Organically Grown Lettuce, Basil, and Arugula in Georgia

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 625
Author(s):  
Savanah Laur ◽  
Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva ◽  
Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez ◽  
Timothy Coolong
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Content ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Lactuca Sativa L ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Shade Cloth ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Organically Grown ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluated the impact of shade cloth and fogging systems on the microclimate at the plant canopy level and yield of basil (Oscimum basilicum L.), arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. Sativa L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) planted in mid-September and early October in high tunnels. Fogging systems were installed at canopy level in plots within shaded (30%) and non-shaded high tunnels. Average air temperatures in the shaded high tunnels were 0.9 °C lower than non-shaded high tunnels during the day. Shade cloth significantly reduced soil temperatures during the day and night periods by 1.5 °C and 1.3 °C, respectively, compared to non-shaded treatments. Fogging systems did not have an impact on air temperature, soil temperature, or relative humidity, but did increase canopy leaf wetness. Shade and fogging did not impact the yield of any of the crops grown. Yield was impacted by planting date, with earlier planting result in higher yields of lettuce and basil. Yields for arugula were greater during the second planting date than the first. Planting date and shade cloth interacted to affect the concentrations of macronutrients.

Season, sowing date, and row cover influences the production of cool season vegetables in movable high tunnels

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 528-536
Author(s):  
David A. Baumbauer ◽  
Macdonald H. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Sowing Date ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Leafy Greens ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Growing Degree Hours ◽  
High Tunnels

Moveable high tunnels offer the possibility of increasing the number of crops harvested from a given piece of ground in northern latitudes where there is a short growing season. In an effort to expand crop scheduling options, three leafy greens and three root vegetables were grown in the spring in a movable high tunnel, and in the fall were sown outside and the tunnel was moved over the crops in late September. The effects of seeding date and addition of row cover were further explored on fresh weight and days to harvest. Using row cover within the high tunnel increased growing degree hours (GDH) by an average of 29% in the spring and 17% in the fall over a high tunnel without row cover. Soil degree hours (SDH) in the high tunnel with row cover increased an average of 9% in the spring and 12% in the fall over the high tunnel without row cover. The addition of row cover increased yield of leafy greens and turnip by an average of 35% in spring 2018 when the outside air temperature was considerably below average. Early-seeded fall leafy greens out-yielded late-seeded by 52% due to the ability to make a second harvest. Using row cover within the high tunnel increased GDH and SDH during both spring and fall seasons and increased the yield of cool season vegetables when outside air temperatures were considerably below average.

scholarly journals Temperature and Photoperiod Influence Flowering and Morphology of Four Petunia spp.

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Warner
Keyword(s):  
Base Temperature ◽  
Optimal Temperature ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Node Number ◽  
Daily Light Integral ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Light Integral ◽  
Short Days ◽  
Petunia Axillaris

Flowering and morphology of four Petunia Juss. spp. [P. axillaris (Lam.) Britton et al., P. exserta Stehmann, P. integrifolia (Hook.) Schinz & Thell., and P. ×hybrida Vilm.] were evaluated in response to photoperiod and temperature. Photoperiod responses were evaluated under 9-h short days (SD), 9-h photoperiod plus 4-h night-interruption lighting (NI), or a 16-h photoperiod supplemented with high-pressure sodium lamps (16-h HPS). All species flowered earlier under NI than SD and were classified as facultative (quantitative) long-day plants. Increasing the daily light integral within long-day treatments increased flower bud number for P. axillaris only. In a second experiment, crop timing and quality were evaluated in the temperature range of 14 to 26 °C under 16-h HPS. The rate of progress toward flowering for each species increased as temperature increased from 14 to 26 °C, suggesting the optimal temperature for development is at least 26 °C. The calculated base temperature for progress to flowering varied from 0.1 °C for P. exserta to 5.3 °C for P. integrifolia. Flowering of P. axillaris and P. integrifolia was delayed developmentally (i.e., increased node number below the first flower) at 14 °C and 17 °C or less, respectively, compared with higher temperatures. Petunia axillaris and P. integrifolia flower bud numbers decreased as temperature increased, whereas P. ×hybrida flower bud number was similar at all temperatures. The differences in crop timing and quality traits observed for these species suggest that they may be useful sources of variability for petunia breeding programs.

scholarly journals Small Fruit Production in High Tunnels

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Demchak
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Red Raspberry ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Berry Crops

High tunnels are a relatively economical form of protected culture, and offer cultural advantages such as protection from the elements and an extended production season. Interest in high tunnels for small fruit production has been increasing in North America. Growers in the United States and Canada are using multi-bay and single-bay high tunnels for production of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus), strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa), and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Research trials using high tunnels are being conducted in numerous places across the United States. In most instances, high tunnels increased yields of berry crops, improved quality, and decreased the incidence of most diseases compared with field production, powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) being a notable exception. The insect and mite complex encountered in tunnels when growing berry crops has changed markedly, often becoming similar to that which might have been expected in greenhouses, with numbers of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), whitefly (Aleyrodidae), and thrips (Frankliniella spp.) reaching high levels without control measures. In studies at The Pennsylvania State University, primocane-bearing cultivars of red raspberry plants produced at least two to three times as much marketable fruit in tunnels as in a previous field study, with substantial summer and fall crops obtained. ‘Triple Crown’ thornless blackberry produced very high marketable yields in the tunnels, even though winter injury historically resulted in a lack of blackberry production in the field. Strawberry production in a plasticulture system using short-day or day-neutral cultivars was found to be viable; however, the primary benefit of high tunnels for strawberry may have been reliability of production rather than a yield increase. Potential reasons for improvements in productivity and quality are numerous and warrant further attention.

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