scholarly journals Winter Production of Asian Leafy Greens in High Tunnels Using Biodegradable Mulches

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Tongyin Li ◽  
Geoffrey T. Lalk ◽  
Qianwen Zhang ◽  
Zhiheng Xing ◽  
Guihong Bi
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Cabbage ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels

Use of season extension tools such as high tunnels and diverse vegetable crops have been crucial in improving competitiveness of vegetable growers in Mississippi who operate on small- to medium-sized farms. Chinese cabbage, also known as pak choy or bok choy, has become increasingly popular due to numerous cultivar choices, fast maturity, high productivity, tolerance for frost, and its potential use for winter production in high tunnels in a subtropical climate. Five Chinese cabbage cultivars including ‘Asian Delight’, ‘Black Summer’, ‘Red Pac’, ‘Rosie’, and ‘Tokyo Bekana’ were evaluated for plant growth, yield, and mineral nutrient concentrations when grown with three types of biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) and one polyethylene (PE, or plastic) mulch in a high tunnel in two experiments from 30 October 2019 to 18 March 2020. The five tested cultivars varied in plant height, widths, leaf SPAD, fresh and dry plant weights, marketable yield, and macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations. ‘Tokyo Bekana’ produced the highest marketable yield and fresh and dry plant weights in both experiments. The three BDMs resulted in similar marketable yield and mineral nutrients in tested cultivars and similar temperatures of leaf, mulch, and substrate compared to the PE mulch. The high tunnel provides a viable way for the winter production of selected Chinese cabbage cultivars in a subtropical climate with possible different yields between production cycles due to varying microenvironment in those months.

scholarly journals Effects of Mulch Type and Planting Date on Tomato Earliness within a High Tunnel

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 867A-867
Author(s):  
Lewis Jett* ◽  
Andrew Read
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Clear Plastic ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Growing Conditions

High tunnels are passive solar greenhouses that are used to extend the traditional growing season for many horticulture crops. Growing conditions within a high tunnel are significantly different from growing conditions encountered in field production. Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are wells suited for high tunnel culture having an upright growth habit and a significant economic premium for precocious harvest. The objective of this research was to investigate three planting dates (15 Mar., 30 Mar., and 10 Apr.) and three mulch types (black plastic, bareground, and clear plastic) with or without row covers, for early tomato production within a high tunnel in the Central Great Plains. High tunnels increased the average daily temperature by ≈6 °C. Early planting (i.e., mid- to late March) resulted in significantly earlier yield (i.e., early July). Using clear plastic mulch increased total marketable yield, but was not significantly different from black plastic. Row covers and plastic mulch are necessary for early tomato production. Row covers are specifically necessary for frost protection, but can be removed when the risk of frost has decreased.

scholarly journals Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Temperature Control on Plant Growth, Yield, and Mineral Content of Tomato Plants Grown Hydroponically

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1470-1477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Makgose Maboko ◽  
Isa Bertling ◽  
Christian Phillipus Du Plooy
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Temperature Control ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Mineral Concentration ◽  
Temperature Controlled

Mycorrhizal inoculation improves nutrient uptake in a range of host plants. Insufficient nutrient uptake by plants grown hydroponically is of major environmental and economic concern. Tomato seedlings, therefore, were treated with a mycorrhizal inoculant (Mycoroot™) at transplanting to potentially enhance nutrient uptake by the plant. Then seedlings were transferred to either a temperature-controlled (TC) or a non-temperature-controlled (NTC) tunnel and maintained using the recommended (100%) or a reduced (75% and 50%) nutrient concentration. Plants grown in the NTC tunnel had significantly poorer plant growth, lower fruit mineral concentration, and lower yield compared with fruit from plants in the TC tunnel. Leaves from plants in the NTC tunnel had higher microelement concentrations than those in the TC tunnel. Highest yields were obtained from plants fertigated with 75% of the recommended nutrient concentration, and not from the 100% nutrient concentration. Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) neither enhanced plant growth, nor yield, nor fruit mineral nutrient concentrations. However, temperature control positively affected the fruit Mn and Zn concentration in the TC tunnel following AMF application.

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

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.

scholarly journals Effect of Prohexidione-Ca and IBA on Establishment and Yield of Green-Top Bare-root Strawberry Transplants

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 848C-848
Author(s):  
John R. Duval* ◽  
Elizabeth Golden ◽  
Julia Reekie ◽  
Peter Hicklenton
Keyword(s):  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Bare Root ◽  
Block Experiment ◽  
Growth Regulator Treatment

Bare-root transplants received from high latitude nurseries for Florida production have limited root systems, very long petioles and wilt soon after planting. Further dessication occurs when leaves come in contact with black plastic mulch used in the annual production system. Conventional irrigation practices for the establishment of bare-root transplants of strawberry consist of overhead water application for at least 8 hours/day for 10-14 days after planting. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) have been used to modify the growth characteristics of many plants species. A split-block experiment was implemented at the GCREC-Dover, Dover Fla., to determine the effect of the use Prohexidione-Ca (PC) and IBA [(indole-3) butyric acid] on growth, yield and establishment of strawberry. Main blocks consisted of over head establishment irrigation for 4, 8, and 12 days, and sub-plots consisted of treatments of PC applied in the nursery at a rate of 62.5 mg·L-1 2, 4, or 6 weeks before digging, PC applied in the nursery at 31.25 mg·L-1 2 weeks before digging, a root dip of transplants in 100 mg·L-1 IBA just prior to transplanting. The experiment was conducted for four growing seasons. Data were recorded for marketable yield, number of marketable berries (>10g), and disease incidence. Significant differences were detected for duration of establishment irrigation and growth regulator treatment. No interaction was shown between establishment irrigation and growth regulator treatment.

scholarly journals Effects of Post-véraison Water Deficit on ‘Pinot noir’ Yield and Nutrient Status in Leaves, Clusters, and Musts

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1335-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Paul Schreiner ◽  
Jungmin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Growth Yield ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Pinot Noir ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Sugar Accumulation ◽  
Volumetric Soil Water Content ◽  
Vine Growth ◽  
Maturity Indices ◽  
Fruit Maturity

‘Pinot noir’ grapevines were grown in a pot-in-pot system using a red-hill-soil where volumetric soil water content (θv) was carefully controlled. Four-year-old vines were supplied with one of two irrigation regimes (wet or dry) between véraison and fruit maturity and the experiment was repeated over 2 years. From véraison to harvest, vines in the wet treatment received irrigation whenever θv approached ≈15% maintaining leaf water potential (Ψleaf) above –1.0 MPa. Vines in the dry treatment received irrigation when θv approached 11% to 12% and experienced significant water stress (Ψleaf ≈–1.4 MPa) before water was re-supplied. Vines were destructively harvested at véraison and at fruit maturity to determine biomass and nutrient content in the current season’s above-ground tissues. Fruit yield, maturity indices, and must nutrient composition were measured at maturity. Irrigation did not influence vine growth in either year nor did it influence yield or fruit maturity indices. Irrigation also had no influence on leaf, whole cluster, or must mineral nutrient concentrations. Vine growth, yield, and nutrient status in leaves and musts varied by year. Vegetative growth was greater in 2007 than 2008, whereas yield and cluster weights were greater in 2008. Also in 2008, whole clusters obtained a greater proportion of dry matter and nutrients after véraison when differing irrigation treatments were imposed. Nonetheless, irrigation did not affect must chemical composition. These findings suggest that periodic post-véraison water deficits that are moderate to severe have little effect on berry nutrient and sugar accumulation in ‘Pinot noir’ cropped at typical levels for this variety.

scholarly journals Visual Assessments of Biodegradable Mulch Deterioration Are Not Indicative of Changes in Mechanical Properties

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Cowan ◽  
Arnold M. Saxton ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Karen K. Leonas ◽  
Debra Inglis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mechanical Strength ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Biodegradable Mulch ◽  
Visual Assessments

The functionality of biodegradable mulch can be evaluated in agricultural field settings by visually assessing mulch intactness over time (a measure of deterioration), but it is unclear if mulch deterioration is indicative of mulch degradation as measured by mechanical properties (like breaking force and elongation). This 3-year study (2010–12) examined mulch percent visual deterioration (PVD) during the summer growing season in open-field and high tunnel production systems, and compared these to mulch mechanical properties at mulch installation (12–30 May), midseason (22 July–9 Aug.), and season end (6–25 Oct.), to determine if the field-based measures reliably predict degradation as revealed by changes in mulch mechanical properties. Four different types of biodegradable mulches [two plastic film mulches marketed as biodegradable (BioAgri and BioTelo); one fully biodegradable paper mulch (WeedGuardPlus); and, one experimental spunbonded plastic mulch designed to biodegrade (SBPLA)] were evaluated against a standard nonbiodegradable polyethylene (PE) mulch where tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Celebrity) was planted as the model crop. Each year for the 3 years, PVD increased earlier for WeedGuardPlus than the other mulches in both the high tunnel and open field, and WeedGuardPlus had the greatest PVD in both high tunnels and the open field (6% and 48%, respectively). Mechanical strength of WeedGuardPlus also declined by the end of the season both in the high tunnel (up to 46% reduction) and in the open field (up to 81% reduction). PVD of BioAgri and BioTelo reached a maximum of 3% in the high tunnel and 28% in the open field by the end of the season. Mechanical strength of BioAgri and BioTelo did not change over the course of the season in either the open field or high tunnel, even though the ability of these mulches to elongate or stretch declined 89% in the open field and 82% in the high tunnel. SBPLA and PE mulches did not show a change in PVD or mechanical properties in either the high tunnel or the open field. Overall, PVD was three to six times greater by midseason in the open field than in the high tunnels. Although there were significant relationships between visual assessments and various mechanical properties for each mulch except SBPLA, the relationships differed for each mulch when evaluated separately and had coefficients of determination (R2) below 30%. Furthermore, PVD overestimated mechanical deterioration of BioAgri and BioTelo. Results of this study indicate that mulch visual assessments may reflect general trends in changes in certain mechanical properties of the mulch; however, visual assessment and mechanical properties provide different information on deterioration. Each should be used as needed, but not as a substitute for each other.

scholarly journals Growth and Yield of Organic Day-neutral Strawberries in Low Tunnels inside High Tunnel in North Carolina

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tekan S. Rana ◽  
Sanjun Gu
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
San Andreas ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Low Tunnels

North Carolina’s fresh strawberry has a $21.4 million economic value, which is primarily from short-day cultivars in the annual plasticulture system. Organic and off-season day-neutral strawberries have higher prices than the conventional, field-grown strawberries. There have been no published studies on suitable cultivars, transplanting dates, and additional winter protection methods for day-neutral strawberry production in high tunnels in North Carolina. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of low tunnels, planting dates, and cultivars on growth, yield, and season extension potential of day-neutral strawberries in high tunnels. Plugs of day-neutral cultivars Albion and San Andreas were either transplanted in raised beds covered with low tunnels (LT) or without low tunnels (control, NLT), inside high tunnels on the N.C. A&T State University Farm (Greensboro, NC) on two different planting dates, which were 1 Sept. (D1) and 29 Sept. (D2) of 2016, or 9 Sept. (D1) and 10 Oct. (D2) of 2017, respectively. A completely randomized design with split-split plots was used. LT did not significantly affect the total yield and plant phenology, but they promoted the first harvest by a week compared with NLT, which resulted in higher yield during the winter of both years. D1 promoted about 24 days of earlier harvest than D2. ‘Albion’ had an earlier bloom and harvest date (by 1 to 3 weeks and 2 to 3 weeks, respectively) than ‘San Andreas’. Strawberry yield was low in the fall season, but it started to increase from January, peaked in April, and decreased again in May. D1 increased the whole season’s marketable yield of ‘Albion’ (430.3 g/plant), compared with that of ‘San Andreas’ (330.9 g/plant). During the winter, ‘Albion’ had a higher yield than ‘San Andreas’. Our study indicates that LT inside HT might not significantly improve the plant growth, early harvest, or total yield. Planting dates had no consistent effect on yield. It was suggested that ‘Albion’ should be considered for high winter yields, and ‘San Andreas’ be a cultivar with high yields of the entire season in high tunnels.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Growing Grafted Cucumber Plants for High Tunnel Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Orlando F. Rodriguez Izaba ◽  
Wenjing Guan ◽  
Ariana P. Torres
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
High Tunnels

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the most important vegetables produced and consumed in the United States. In the midwestern United States, a major obstacle to spring cucumber production is low soil temperatures during plant establishment. High tunnel is a popular tool for season extension of vegetable production. Low soil temperature is a challenge for cucumber production even inside high tunnels. Grafting is a cultural practice known to help control soilborne diseases and improve plants’ tolerance to abiotic stresses. Recent studies found that using grafted cucumber plants with cold-tolerant rootstocks greatly benefited early-season seedless cucumber production in high tunnels. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic feasibility of growing grafted cucumber in high tunnels. A comparison of partial costs and returns between growing grafted and nongrafted cucumbers in a high tunnel in Vincennes, IN, was conducted. Data were used to develop a partial budget analysis and sensitivity tests. Data included production costs, marketable yield, and price of cucumber through different market channels. This study provided a baseline reference for growers interested in grafting seedless cucumber and for high tunnel production. Although costs of grafted transplants were higher, their yield and potential revenue helped to offset the higher costs. Results indicated that grafting can help farmers increase net returns through the increasing yield of grafted plants. Results from the sensitivity analysis illustrated how the increased yield of grafted cucumbers offsets the extra cost incurred in the technique while providing a higher revenue. While actual production costs for individual farmers may vary, our findings suggested that grafting can be an economically feasible tool for high tunnel seedless cucumber production.

scholarly journals High Tunnels or a Poor Man's Greenhouse?

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143B-1143
Author(s):  
William Lamont ◽  
Michael Orzolek
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Control ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Marketing Channels ◽  
Trickle Irrigation ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
External Connection ◽  
Electrical Connections

After being interviewed by a newspaper reporter on high tunnels and explaining in great detail what a high tunnel is and how it is different from a greenhouse, you can guess my shock to read the headline “High Tunnels—A Poor Man's Greenhouse.” High tunnels do not offer the precision of conventional greenhouses for environmental control, but they do sufficiently modify the environment to enhance crop growth, yield, and quality and provide some frost protection, but their primary function is to elevate temperatures a few degrees each day over a period of several weeks. In addition to temperature control, there are benefits of wind and rain protection, soil warming, aid in control of insects, diseases, varmints, and birds. They are relatively inexpensive, about $1.30/sq. ft., excluding labor. This system is particularly appealing to new-entry growers with limited capital who utilize retail-marketing channels. High tunnels like plastic-covered greenhouses are generally quonset-shaped with a peak, constructed of metal bows that are attached to metal posts, which have been driven into the ground about 2 feet deep. They are covered with one layer of 6-mil greenhouse-grade polyethylene, and are ventilated by manually rolling up the sides each morning and rolling them down in early evening. There is no permanent heating system, although it is advisable to have a standby portable propane unit to protect against unexpected below-freezing temperatures. There are no electrical connections. The only external connection is a water supply for trickle irrigation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document