Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project has continued to develop a hybrid pruning approach in muscadines that utilizes mechanical methods for labor savings, but also provides specific guidelines and balanced pruning formulas for growers to follow in hand pruning operations to supplement mechanical hedging in Carlos. With balanced pruning the vine's actual size and fruit bearing capacity is taken into account before the vine is dormant pruned. Up until this time, most commercial growers and homeowners the in the Southeastern US have used a recipe approach to muscadine pruning in which all vines in a vineyard block or backyard are pruned or "shaped" the same without considering important differences in actual vine size. The research challenge for us has been to know exactly how much annual wood should be removed in dormant pruning to bring about obtain a balance between fruit production and vegetative growth. Our 7 years of research with a Carlos pruning severity study in Rose Hill (Duplin County), NC, has clearly established that we are under-cropping the vines by retaining only 200 buds/vine (100 buds/10 ft arm), on Carlos vines trained to single wire trellis (SWT), and spaced 20 ft in-the-row (217 vines/acre). Although yields for the simulated mechanical pruning (smp) treatment have remained high throughout the course of this 7 year trial, and have remained above 9 tons per acre in the 2011 and 2012, there has been a noticeable decline in smp yields relative to the 300 and 400 bud treatments which produced in excess of 11 tons in 2012. Along with this slight decline in productivity of the mechanically pruned vines in recent seasons, we have observed that the average cane pruning weights of the 300 and 400 bud vines seem to have stabilized in the range of 14-15 lbs/vine while the smp vines have shown a marked increase in cane pruning weights over the last 3 seasons. PARTICIPANTS: Agent collaborator: John McIntyre, North Carolina Cooper Extension Service, Agent, Duplin County Partner organizations: NC Muscadine Grape Growers Assn. Training and Professional Development: On 12/06/12 a workshop was conducted in the test vineyard in Duplin County for Eastern NC grape growers (50 in attendance); and 3commercial exhibitors were present (demonstrating innovations in mechanical hedging equipment) TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial muscadine growers and extension educators PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Commercial muscadine growers are implementing our new hybrid pruning approach that involves as the first step a "rough pruning" of the vine, and this is followed by hand thinning of spurs and reducing the number of count buds per vine (20 ft in-row-spacing) to approximately 20-25 buds per foot of cordon.
Impacts
In the muscadine industry in NC, hand pruning has not been considered to economical for muscadine vineyards where grapes are destined for processing markets. But, if you use mechanical hedging to "rough prune" first, you can do a light hand pruning (touch-up) in about 16 minutes/vine (58 hrs/acre). In our harvest in September 2012, mechanical hedging (smp) caused a drop of 1.5 tons/acre relative to vines pruned to 300 or 400 buds per vine (SWT, 20ft in-row-spacing). This reduction in yield (1.5 tons/acre) represents a loss in gross revenue per acre of $750 for Carlos vines that are mechanically pruned (average price per ton $500). The expense for hand touch up is estimated to be around $580 per acre, and this can be directly offset by the added yield of 1.5 tons/acre for the 300 and 400 bud vines. Furthermore, a radical rejuvenation procedure will never be required throughout the productive life of a Carlos vineyard (many NC vineyards exceed 30 yrs old), which is very labor intensive, and results in losing at least one year of production. The economics of rough pruning with mechanical equipment (e.g. tractor mounted sickle bar) plus some hand pruning (thinning) of fruiting spurs is economically viable, and we are now testing a balanced pruning formula for mature Carlos vines that has promise to help commercial growers and homeowners avoid the undesirable effects of over-cropping or under-cropping.
Publications
- Poling, E.B., R. Schiavone, and S.M. Romelczyk. Winter 2013. Small Fruit News, Volume 13, No. 1, 11-16 (http://www.smallfruits.org/Newsletter/SmallFruitNews.htm).
- Poling, E.B. 2011. Row Covers Should Not Be Viewed As a Stand Alone Technology for Strawberry Frost and Freeze Protection, HortScience 46(9), 2011 ASHS Annual Conference 9/25/2011.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscadine dormant pruning - The muscadine industry is still using pruning guidelines that were developed over 50 years ago. The current practice of mechanical pruning without any hand touch up can potentially weaken vines and make them more susceptible to cold injury and disease infection. This project has identified a hybrid pruning approach that will utilize mechanical methods for labor savings, but also provides specific guidelines and formulas for growers to follow in hand pruning operations to supplement mechanical hedging in both processing cultivars (e.g. Carlos) and fresh cultivars (e.g. Supreme). Outputs of this research have been reported at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Muscadine Grape Growers Annual Meeting (12/9/2010). At this meeting it was reported that Carlos vines in their 8th leaf that were dormant pruned to 400 retained buds (200 buds per 10 ft arm), achieved average yields of 116 lbs/vine (11.1 tons per acre), compared to vines that were dormant pruned to only 200 buds per vine (100 buds per 10 ft arm), which had 73 lbs/vine (6.9 tons per acre). This represents a 4.2 ton per acre yield depression for the 200 retained bud vines compared to 400 buds. Strawberry frost protection with floating row covers - A number of improvements are still needed in the performance of strawberry row covers before they can be viewed as a stand alone technology for strawberry frost and freeze protection, especially during the blossom period. Several of the problems with row covers for frost control in this important crop stage relate to: 1) unreliable blossom protection levels on nights of frost or freeze when prior-day weather conditions are cloudy and cold; 2) poorer pollination and fruit set when the crop must stay covered for several consecutive days and nights because of frost concerns; 3) mechanical damage to the crop from row cover flapping against the crop on spring days and nights of very high winds; and 4) it may not be feasible for the operator to find enough hand labor to keep applying and removing covers on a daily basis during a spring of multiple frost episodes like the spring of 2011 in North Carolina. A presentation was made at the ASHS Annual Conference in Hawaii (09/24/2011), to small fruit research and extension workers about a new problem with damaging frosts occurring underneath the cover on nights with air temperatures beneath the covers that are slightly below 0 C, and with dew point temperatures in the range of -1.1 C to 0 C. Strawberry frost protection - information about how air temperatures beneath the covers that are slightly below 0 C, and with dew point temperatures in the range of -1.1 C to 0 C, can lead to very damaging open blossom losses to frost has been extended to North Carolina strawberry growers at the Southeastern Strawberry Expo (11/8/2011) in a 1 1/2 hr workshop on strawberry row cover management. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Muscadine Pruning - the muscadine research reported in 2010 at the NC Muscadine Grape Growers Association has led to the implementation of 3 vineyard demonstration trials where several pruning formulas for Supreme vines (the most popular black muscadine for fresh marketing in the Southeast) are being evaluated. The 3 balanced pruning formulas being explored in Supreme are 100 + 20, 150 + 20 and 200 + 20. We are keeping track of pruning weights for each vineyard. We will keep yield records for each treatment vine as well as collect grape samples for berry color, maturity, pH, acidity and brix. A $5,000 grant from the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium is providing support for travel, lodging and labor to implement these balanced pruning demonstration trials.
Publications
- Poling, E.B. 2011. Row Covers Should Not Be Viewed As a Stand Alone Technology for Strawberry Frost and Freeze Protection. HortScience 46(9) (Abstract).
- Poling, E.B. 2011. Variations in Row Cover Use and Some Problems Encountered in 2011. Proc. 2011 Southeastern Strawberry Expo, Durham, NC (CD format), 8 pp.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Row Covers in Strawberry Plasticulture: The potential importance of row cover applications in the fall has been investigated in the more northern-like plasticulture region in Western NC at the Upper Mountain Research Station, Luarel Springs. Growers and agents have had specific questions related to the timing of row cover application in the late fall or early winter. The most popular row cover weight for this colder region of North Carolina is the a 1.5 oz/sq yd cover vs. the medium weight covers of 1.0 and 1.2 oz that are used in lower elevation areas as overwinter covers. The results of this research have been disseminated at two national meetings in 2009: 1) The 35th National Agricultrual Plastics Congress, July 13-16, 2009, State College, Pennsylvania, and 2) North American Strawberry Growers Association Annual Meeting and Conference, Grand Rapids Michigan, December 7-8, 2009. 2. Methyl Iodide as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide: At NC State University we have been investigating various iodomethane formulations and rates since the year 2000. In this 2008-2009 study at Central Crops Research Station in Clayton, NC (USDA hardiness Zone 7b, we investigated the performance of Midas 50:50 (4 rates) compared to Midas 98:2 (5 rates), we also included 2 fumigant treatment with methyl bromide 50:50 for comparison to Midas. The broadcast rates for Midas 98:2 were 60.70, 80, and 90 and 100 lb/A (30, 35, 40 and 45 lb/A in-the-row, respectively). The broadcast rates of Midas 50:50 were 120 lb/A, 140 lb/A and 160 lb/A. The methyl bromide/chloropicrin was evaluated at 175 and 240 lb/A broadcast. A VIF barrier film (Pliant Blockade) was used to increase the efficacy of the fumigants applied. The results of this research have been disseminated at one international meeting - Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, San Diego, Nov. 10-13, 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked on the methyl bromide alternatives project included Rocco Schiavone, Research Associate, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University as well as the Dr. Reid Evans, Supt. Clayton Central Crops Research Station. Collaborators included Rob Welker, Methyl Bromide Alternatives Coordinator, Department of Plant Pathology, NC State University. A partner organization was the NC Strawberry Association, Inc., and this organization funded pre-plant summer meetings (8) where results of this fumigation research study were discussed with growers and county agents. Individuals who worked on the strawberry row cover research included Les Miller, Supt., Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs, NC, and Larry Wohlers, Horticultural Crop Manager, Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs, NC. Sponsorship for this research was provided by the North American Strawberry Growers Association, Inc. A strawberry plasticulture workship on Dec. 7, 2009, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provided E.B. Poling with the opportunity to discuss the results of this row cover research with approximately farmers from the United States and Canada. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include county extension agents, agronomy agents from the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as well as current and potential strawberry plasticulture growers who participated in: 1) Summer Pre-plant meetings in NC, VA and SC (August 2009), 2) Strawberry plasticulture growers who attended the Southeastern Strawberry Expo in Raleigh, NC, Nov. 8-10, 2009 (approximately 250 growers), and 3) farmers from the United States and Canada who participated in the strawberry plasticulture workship on Dec. 7, 2009, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Additionally, a new web site was constructed with assistance from the NC State Value Add Extension Team in the summer of 2009, and was officially opened in August for strawberry plasticulture growers, extension agents and NCDA & CS agronomists, industry partners and interested research scientists from other states and regions. Results of our row cover and fumigation research trials in 2009 can be accessed by any interested party at http://www.ncsu.edu/enterprises/strawberries (it is called the Strawberry Growers Information Portal). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. Row Covers in Strawberry Plasticulture: It was found that 1.5 oz/sq yd row covers applied on 15-Nov-2007, or 15-Dec-2007, can produce substantially higher marketable yields in Chandler strawberry than treatments where row cover applications were made in mid-January 2008 (or the control). Row covers applied in mid-November or mid-December also allow the possibility for slightly later transplanting dates without sacrifice to yield. In this study, plugs transplanted on 12-Sep-2007 and 19-Sep-2007 had fewer runners in the fall season than transplants established on 05-Sep-2007. 2. Methyl Iodide as an Alternative to Methyl Bromide: Strawberry yield data (lb/A) from the 2008-2009 trial at Clayton Central Crops Research Station showed that Midas 50:50 at the 100 lb/A broadcast rate (50 lb/A in-the-row) gave the highest overall marketable yield of 23,390 lb/A, and this compared to 19,757 lb/A for methyl bromide/chloropicrin at 175 lb/A broadcast. The methyl bromide/chloropicrin treatment at 240 lb/A broadcast actually had a lower yield than 175 lb/A rate (19,476 lb/A). The untreated control (no fumigant) had a marketable yield of 18,021 lb/A. However, methyl bromide/chloropicrin at 240 lb/A broadcast did produce the largest average berry size in the study (15.4 g) compared to an average berry size of 14.1 g for the Midas 50:50 at the 100 lb/A broadcast rate.
Publications
- Poling, E.B. and Schiavone, R. 2009. Row Covers in Strawberries. The 35th National Agricultrual Plastics Congress, July 13-16, 2009, State College, Pennsylvania, www.plasticulture.org/09CongAbout.htm
- Poling, E.B., Schiavone, R., and Franke, C. 2009. Influence of Midas 50:50 and Midas 98:2 on Strawberry Plasticulture Yields in North Carolina. 2009 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, San Diego, Nov. 10-13, 2009 (poster) http://www.mbao.org
- Poling, E.B. 2009. Row Covers for Strawberry Production. Proceedings North American Strawberry Growers Association Annual Meeting and Conference, Grand Rapids Michigan, December 7-8, 2009, pp 55-60.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Work with new strawberry systems such as those using day-neutral cultivars and season extension technologies led to dissemination of results to commercial strawberry grower communities at field days and on conference tours. Growers learned about the production of high quality fruit during summer and fall in high elevation mountain areas of North Carolina at the Specialty Crops Field Day on June 25, 2008 (Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs); and late fall and winter fruiting in high tunnels was demonstrated to growers participating in the Southeastern Strawberry Expo Tour on November 5, 2008 (Piedmont Research Station, Salisbury). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked in the project: Ballington, J.R.; Olive, Kerry; Meyers, Andy; Schiavone, Rocco; Wohlers, Larry. Partner organizations: North Carolina Strawberry Association, Inc; Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium; Specialty Crops Program, NCSU Opportunities for Professional Development: on October 21-24, 2008, professional researchers, extension workers and industry members were able to learn about season extension technologies in strawberries and caneberries at the annual NCCC-22 meeting hosted by NC State. TARGET AUDIENCES: 1. North Carolina Strawberry Association, Inc. - strawberry grower organization with approximately 55% of members from NC; other members come from over 12 different states. 2. Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (www.smallfruits.org) has 6 member states and is a regular sponsor of agent training and grower educational programs 3. Specialty Crops Program - this program is active in sponsoring studies on alternative crops and niche market enterprises in NC 4. NCCC-22 - The purpose of this group is to primarily develop improved small fruit germplasm through cooperative breeding and evaluation programs. This group is also focused on developing improved practices for small fruit production that will result in decreased costs, minimized fruit loss, and increased profitability. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research was undertaken to evaluate day-neutral (DN) strawberry production in higher elevations in Western North Carolina (WNC) for harvest in the summer and fall. The effect of DN cultivar, plastic mulch color, planting dates and plant types were studied in at the Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs, NC (elevation 914 m) over several seasons. In the 2004 season, the DN Everest had yields of nearly 1 kg plant-1 on white plastic using plugs transplanted in late September (2003). However, about 95 percent of Everest production occurred in July and August, when prices to growers in wholesale markets have averaged $1.32 and $1.68 kg-1, respectively (2001-2005). For day-neutral strawberries to be an attractive enterprise at production levels identified through this research project (~1 kg plant-1) higher prices will be needed. Assuming prices similar to those paid by chain supermarkets for "locally grown" North Carolina strawberries in the spring season of $2.75 kg-1 or higher, there is reason to believe that day-neutral strawberry production in the southern Appalachians could be a profitable venture.
Publications
- Ballington, J.R., Poling, B., and Olive, K. 2008. Day-neutral Strawberry Production for Season Extension in the Midsouth. HortScience 43: 1982-1986.
- Poling, E.B. 2008. Anthracnose on Strawberry: Its Etiology, Epidemiology, and Pathology, Together with Management Strategies for Strawberry Nurseries: Introduction to the Workshop. HortScience 43: 59-65.
- Poling, E.B. 2008. Spring Cold Injury to Winegrapes and Protection Strategies and Methods. HortScience 43: 1652-1662.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Midas, a combination of iodomethane (IM) and chloropicrin (Cp), has been suggested as a direct replacement to methyl bromide for pre-plant soil fumigation for North Carolina strawberry production. Results of a multiple year study with Midas at the Clayton, NC, Central Crops Research Station, were disseminated at the 2007 Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions Conference, Oct 29-Nov.1.
Impacts
Over two production seasons at Clayton Central Crops Research Station (NC), Midas 50:50 at rates of 150 lb/A (2005-2006)and 175 lb/A (2006-2007), produced strawberry yields that were comparable, or better than methyl bromide as a pre-plant soil fumigant. These results show promise for replacing methyl bromide, provided that the fumigant is economical for producers. One development of this research that shows promise for reducing fumigation costs for Midas has to do with our finding that standard black LDPE films may perform as well as barrier films.
Publications
- Poling, E.B. 2007. Crop decision support tools and specific cold protection techniques used in North Carolina to minimize injury to the strawberry crop. HortScience 42(4):795.
- Fisk, C., Romelczyk, S., and Poling, E.B. 2007. Muscadine grape cold injury assessment in post-budbreak period and recommendations for vine re-training. HortScience 42(4):796.
- Poling, E.B. 2007. Using row covers in Georgia and South Carolina strawberry production. Proceedings of the Georgia-South Carolina Strawberry Conference, January 5-7, Savannah, GA, p.159-164
- Poling, E.B. 2007. Synopsis of strawberry plasticulture research with iodomethane in North Carolina since the year 2000. Proceedings of 2007 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, San Diego, CA. October 29-November 1, p. 31-32.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Grapes (Bunch): Completed the revision of the North Carolina Winegrape Grower's Guide, (E.B. Poling, editor), NC Cooperative Extension Service, Jan. 2007, 145 pages Author/co-author of 4 chapters: Ch. 1 Introduction (E.B. Poling) pp. 1-2 Ch. 2 Cost and Investment Analysis of Chardonnay (V. vinifera) Winegrapes in North Carolina (Safley, Carpio, Poling), pp. 3-15 Ch. 3 Choice of Varieties (Allen, Poling, Albertson), pp. 16-33 Ch. 4 Site Selection (Poling, Boyles, Carpio), pp. 34-59 Ch. 11 Spring Frost Control (Poling), pp. 88-108. Strawberries: Completed the 2nd year of a field research study at Clayton Central Crops Research Station on alternative nursery/fruiting field fumigants. Nursery plants were grown at the Upper Mountain Research Station (nursery fumigants: iodomethane 50:50, chloropicrin, methyl bromide chloropicrin 67:33, Telone C-35 and control). There were 3 strip fumigation treatments in the fruiting field: iodomethane 50:50, chloropicrin, methyl bromide
chloropicrin 67:33, and control. The study utilized a factorial design. Preliminary results indicate that iodomethane 50:50 is a potential drop in replacement for methyl bromide chloropicrin.
Impacts
Grapes: Over 10 years have past since the last revision of the NC Winegrape Production Guide (formerly, Mid-Atlantic Growers Winegrape Grower's Guide, Wolf and Poling). The new guide will be published in January 2007, and will be available for distribution to growers and agents in February 2007. There is a rapidly growing winegrape industry in North Carolina that requires up-to-date information on costs and returns, varieties, site selection, frost protection, irrigation management, pest management and numerous other subjects that are addressed in this newly revised guide. Strawberries: These results are based on a study in progress. Although technical issues currently associated with some of the alternatives may persist, this study indicates that based on economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness there are economically feasible fumigation alternatives to MeBr in the production of strawberries in the southeastern U.S. The availability of the updated information on
yield estimates associated with possible fumigation alternatives may affect the above conclusions. Additionally, the availability of the cost information for iodomethane and analysis of its performance may add another feasible alternative. The audience of this article should also be aware that the results represent estimates only and are not a guarantee since the performance of the fumigation alternatives investigated here varied in different locations based on particular local conditions.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Partial budget analysis was used to evaluate soil treatment alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) based on their efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the production of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa). The analysis was conducted for two geographical areas: the piedmont and coastal plain area (including North Carolina and Georgia) and the mountain area of western North Carolina, based on 7 years of field test data (1996-2002). The fumigation alternatives evaluated were Telone-C35 (1,3-dichloropropene 61.1% + chloropicrin 34.7%), Telone II (1,3-dichloropropene 94%), chloropicrin (Chlor-o-pic 99% and TriClor EC ), InLine (1,3-dichloropropene 60.8% + chloropicrin 33.3%), and metam sodium (Vapam or Sectagon 42, 42% sodium methyldithiocarbamate. The MeBr formulation was 67% methyl bromide and 33% chloropicrin (Terr-O-Gas) with the exception of the earlier trials where a 98:2 ratio was used. In the piedmont and coastal plain area, the soil treated with chloropicrin showed
the best results with an additional return of $1670/acre relative to MeBr followed by Telone-C35 with additional return of $277/acre. The projected return associated with shank-applied metam sodium was approximately equal to the estimated return a grower would receive when applying MeBr. Fumigating with drip-applied metam sodium, InLine, and Telone II, as well as the non-fumigated soil treatment resulted in projected losses of $2182/acre, $2233/acre, $4179/acre and $6450/acre , respectively, relative to MeBr. In the mountain area, all of the alternatives resulted in a projected increase in net returns relative to MeBr. The largest projected increase was $1320/acre for the InLine treatment, while the added returns for the TriClor and Telone-C35applications were estimated to be $509/acre and $339/acre, respectively. The drip applied metam sodium application resulted in an additional return of $40/acre, and the added revenue for the non-fumigated soil treatment was $24/acre more than
MeBr treatment.
Impacts
These results are based on a study in progress. Although technical issues currently associated with some of the alternatives may persist, this study indicates that based on economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness there are economically feasible fumigation alternatives to MeBr in the production of strawberries in the southeastern U.S. The availability of the updated information on yield estimates associated with possible fumigation alternatives may affect the above conclusions. Additionally, the availability of the cost information for iodomethane and analysis of its performance may add another feasible alternative. The audience of this article should also be aware that the results represent estimates only and are not a guarantee since the performance of the fumigation alternatives investigated here varied in different locations based on particular local conditions.
Publications
- Sydorovych, O., Safley, C.D., Ferguson, L.M., Poling, E.B., Fernandez, G.F., Brannen, P.M., Monks, D.W. and Louws, F.J. 2006. Economic Evaluation of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for the Production of Strawberries in the Southeastern United States. HortTechnology 16(1):1-11.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
We have evaluated the economic feasibility of various chemical alternatives that can be substituted for methyl bromide in strawberry production. The base model was developed for a 5 acre strawberry planting using methyl bromide as the fumigant. Partial budget analysis was used to evaluate alternate fumigants, including metam sodium, chloropicrin, Telone-C35, InLine (drip), Telone II, metam sodium (drip) and non-fumigated (check). We concluded that there are economically feasible alternatives to methyl bromide in strawberry production in the southeastern U.S., but technical issues remain, especially with the extended plant-back intervals for all alternatives.
Impacts
These investigations are necessary to assure that viable alternatives to methyl bromide are implemented in strawberry nurseries in western NC and the mid-South, and will determine the productivity and quality of the plants produced under different soil treatment systems.
Publications
- Sydorovych, O., Safley, C.D., Poling, E.B., Ferguson, L.M., Fernandez, G.E., Brannen, P.M. and Louws, F.J. Economic Evaluation of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Strawberry Production. Proceedings of the Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions, Orlando, FL, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2004. www.mbao.org
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
A follow-up experiment was conducted during the summer of 2003 to determine if the preplant soil fumigant used for nursery plant production in North Carolina has an an effect on fruiting field performance of Camarosa strawberry plants in Florida for the winter of 2003-2004. Iodomethane (IMe) has been studied in both strawberry nursery production in North Carolina as well for fruit production in the Florida winter planting system. In nursery research trials over the last three years in Western North Carolina, IMe has demonstrated excellent activity against target soil organisms: nematodes, pathogens, and weeds would indicate that IMe has promise of being a drop-in replacement for methyl bromide. Several new formulations of Iodomethane were tested in trials in 2003, including those recently submitted to US-EPA for registration (98% IMe: 2% chloropicrin; and 50:50). Results from the 2003 nursery trial will be combined with Florida fruiting trial results (2003-2004) for
publication at later date.
Impacts
These investigations are necessary to assure that viable alternatives to methyl bromide are implemented in strawberry nurseries in western NC and the mid-South, and will determine the productivity and quality of the plants produced under different soil treatment systems.
Publications
- Ferguson, L.M., Louws, F.J., Abad, Z.G., Fernandez, G.E., Poling, E.B. and Brannen, P.M. 2003. Impacts of alternatives on strawberry yield and root colonization by fungal pathogens. Ann. Int. Research Conf. on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. 56/1-56/6.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
An experiment was conducted during the fall, winter and spring of 2001-2002 to determine if the preplant soil fumigant (iodomethane/chloropicrin vs. Telone C-35) used for nursery plant production would have an effect on fruiting field performance of 'Chandler' strawberry plants and if formulation of Iodomethane / chloropicrin mixtures and Telone C-35 applied preplant to the fruiting field affected strawberry fruit production. Bare-rooted strawberry plants were obtained from small plot nursery research in North Carolina and were transplanted in the fruiting field portion of the experiment at the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton, FL. All fruiting field fumigant treatments were applied using a standard 3 chisel in-bed fumigation rig with the chisels mounted in the throat of a single row bed former/shaper on 2 November 2001. Strawberry plant vigor was evaluated visually four times during the season. Plant vigor was not affected
by fruiting field fumigant treatment during the first two evaluations (5 December and 27 December 2001), but it was during the 24 January and 13 March 2002 evaluations. On the 24th of January 2002, the most vigorous plants were observed in plots treated with iodomethane / chloropicrin (33/67%) and Telone C-35. By the 13th of March 2002, Telone C-35 was the only fruiting field treatment with plants more vigorous than the nontreated control and these plants were significantly more vigorous than all of the other fumigant treatments, other than iodomethane / chloropicrin (33/67%). Soilborne disease pressure was light in this experiment and only minimal plant loss was observed. The fewest plants lost to soilborne disease resulted from soil fumigation with methyl bromide / chloropicrin, Telone C-35 and the high ratio of iodomethane (67%) to chloropicrin (33%). Fewer plants died where Telone C-35 was used in the nursery as opposed to iodomethane/chloropicrin, following the trend observed
with plant vigor. Fruiting field fumigant treatment did not impact yield, but nursery fumigation practice significantly affected yield during January and April and for the season total, with the most fruit produced on plants grown in soil fumigated with Telone C-35 in the nursery in NC. Fruit size was not affected by any treatment, fruiting field fumigant or nursery fumigation practice.
Impacts
Determine the impact of the North Carolina strawberry nursery's selection of preplant fumigant on ultimate fruiting performance of the transplant in the Florida winter planting system.
Publications
- Gilreath, J.P., Poling, E.B. and Noling, K.W. 2002. Nursery And Fruiting Field Fumigant Effect On Strawberry, 2002 Annual International Research Conference On Methyl Bromide Alternatives And Emissions Reduction, http://www.mbao.org/2002proc/015GilreathJ pct 20NURSERY pct 20AND pct 20FRUITING pct 20FIELD pct 20FUMIGANT pct 20EFFECT pct 20ON pct 20ST.pdf
- Ferguson, L.M., Louws, F.J., Fernandez, G.E., Brannen, P.M., Poling, E.B., Sydorovych, O.B., Safley, C.D. and Monks, D.W. 2002. Chemical And Biological Alternatives To Methyl Bromide For Strawberry In The Southeastern US, 2002 Annual International Research Conference On Methyl Bromide Alternatives And Emissions Reduction, http://www.mbao.org/2002proc/103LouwsF pct 20AMBAOstrawberryabstr1.pdf
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
We have been investigating whether strawberry runner tips from micropropagated stock will produce plug plants that perform any differently in the fruiting field than tips propagated from traditional California purple tagged plants, and whether plugs propagated in a greenhouse environment are going to perform differently in the fruiting field than runner tips produced in an outdoor environment? Based on two years of data (1999-2000, 2000-2001) we have been unable to demonstrate any marketable yield benefit from using micropropagated stock, and in 2000-2001 there was a significantly higher marketable yield for conventional stock plants compared to the micropropagated material. Second, field grown tips consistently produced higher marketable yields than greenhouse-raised tips in both seasons.
Impacts
The finding that field grown strawberry tips consistently produce higher marketable yields than greenhouse-raised tips will discourage growers from investing in greenhouse growing systems, and favor field production methods.
Publications
- Poling, E.B. and Miner, G.S. 2001. Field performance of strawberry plugs propagated from micropropagated runner tips compared to conventional nursery stock as well as the influence of summer growing location and environments on marketable yield of Chandler and Camarosa. HortScience 36(3:459-460.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Plugs continue to rapidly replace traditional fresh bare-root and frigo transplants on a worldwide basis. Strawberry plugs grown from micropropagated plant material may offer growers a way to minimize disease problems in transplants. Field studies were conducted in the 1999-2000 strawberry plasticulture season in Clayton, North Carolina, that did not confirm any special yield or fruit size benefit for Chandler plugs that were propagated in a greenhouse propagation facility, and using micropropagated stock plants. There were also no significant differences in disease infection, but a second year of evaluation is needed in 2000-2001 to confirm these results.
Impacts
If micropropagated strawberry plugs have a reduced incidence of Colletotrichum and other diseases, this can be an important method for reducing annual losses to anthracnose in climates that are hot and humid like North Carolina.
Publications
- Durner, E.F. and Poling, E.B. 2000. Phytotron research investigations with conditioned 'Sweet Charlie' and 'Camarosa' plugs. Acta Hort 513, ISHS 2000, 403-408.
- Poling, E.B. 2000. Strawberry plug transplant technology. Acta Hort 513, ISHS 2000, 393-401.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Four experiments were completed at the Central Crops Research Station, Clayton, NC in 1999. They consisted of (1) N rates on 'Camarosa', (2) fumigant study on 'Chandler', (3) fall-applied row covers on 'Camarosa', and (4) a cultivar x planting date study. This progress report provides further information about the first study in which nitrogen as ammonium nitrate was incorporated in beds in the fall at 60 lb/acre/d were imposed as treatments in four replications. They supplied 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 lb N/acre, respectively. There were no significant differences in yield between the 150 and 180 lb N/acre treatments, but yields of both of these treatments were significantly higher than those of the lower N rates. It appears that 'Camarosa' benefits from N applied up to 150 lb/acre in these studies.
Impacts
Past N rate fertility studies with 'Chandler' in the strawberry plasticulture system indicated that 120 lb N/acre was sufficient in the fall and spring. Recent studies suggest that 'Camarosa' may benefit from slightly higher N rates than 'Chandler'. This new information about the relative fertility requirments of 'Camarosa' vs. 'Chandler' will help producers maximize strawberry yield and quality and minimize the potential for soil and water pollution.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
A major goal of this research was to develop enterprise budgets that reflect current costs and returns for each of three strawberry production systems (matted row, plasticulture and greenhouse strawberries), and to apply capital budgeting criteria (net present value, internal rate of return and breakeven point) to evaluate the economic feasibility of each production system. Synthetic budgets were developed for each of the production systems using the best available estimates of technical coefficients. Each production system was designed with the correct size needed to produce 8165 kg (18,000 lbs.) of strawberries. This volume of production requires: 0.6 ha (1.5 acres) of matted row strawberries, 0.4 ha (1 acre) of plasticulture, and 1,250 m2 (13,440 ft2) of greenhouse. Gross sales were calculated using 60% sold as Ready-Pick, 40% Pick-Your-Own for both matted row and plasticulture. Greenhouse fruit was calculated as 100% Ready-Pick. Average prices were calculated at
$1.32/kg ($0.60/lb) for matted row, $1.87/kg ($0.85/lb) for annual hill, and $4.58/kg $(2.08/lb) for greenhouse. These prices reflected plasticultures advantage in pricing due to the ease of picking, speed of picking, cleaner fruit and increased fruit size. Plasticulture was found to have the lowest initial investment of the three systems at $38,600. In addition, this system had a positive net present value of $36,000 and an internal rate of return of 14 percent for a 20-year planning period. Accumulated cash flows were positive in year 6 for plasticulture.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Garwood, T.A. 1998. Economic analysis of matted row, plasticulture and greenhouse strawberry production systems in North Carolina. M.S. Thesis. N.C. State Univ., Raleigh. 55p.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Preliminary comparisons were made of fresh, non-dormant 'Selva' plugs derived from second and third order daughter plant cuttings to evaluate the potential effect of the position of the runner plantlet on reproductive development and early season fruiting in a growth chamber environment. Runner order did influence early season yields with secondary plugs having significantly higher early season yield potential than tertiary plugs. In the second month of fruiting, 'Selva' plugs exposed to 15 nights (19.00 to 8.00 hrs.) of chilling (4.5C) or cooling (10C) had higher fruit yields and better berry size than plants exposed to warmer night temperatures.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MINER, G.S., E.B. POLING, D.E. CARROLL, AND L.A. NELSON. 1997. Influence of fall nitrogen and spring nitrogen-potassium applications on yield and fruit quality of 'Chandler' strawberry. J. Amer. Soc.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
The data from nitrogen fertilization field experiments in 1993, 1994 and 1995 was conbined to provide a better understanding of 'Chandler' strawberry responses to N. These experiments received a mean rate of 62 kg N/ha band-applied in the fall. The response to drip injected N was also evaluated, 0.80 kg/ha/day, is representative of the rate of drip N needed in these three years of combined experiments. Drip N was applied over a 12-week period, and amounted to 70 kg/ha applied by drip irrigation. Add this to the 62 kg N/ha applied in the fall and this data suggest we maximized marketable yield at a total N rate of 132 kg/ha. An experiment was conducted in 1994 and 1995 consisting of four different intervals between drip N applications. The total N applied was 150 kg/ha in all treatments and consisted of 56 kg/ha fall-applied and 1.12 kg/ha/day drip N over a 12-week period. The intervals between injection of N were 1,2,3, or 4 weeks. On the first date of drip N
application, the 1-week interval treatment received the equivalent of one week of N (7.84 kg/ha), the 2-week interval treatment received a two weeks equivalent (15.68 kg/ha), and the remaining treatments received their allotted quantities. The number of applications were 12, 6, 4, and 3 for the 1, 2, 3 and 4-week interval treatments, respectively. There were no significant differences in total or marketable yield either years across treatments.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- NO PUBLICATIONS REPORTED THIS PERIOD.
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
The data from nitrogen fertilization field experiments in 1993 and 1994 was combined to provide a better understanding of 'Chandler' strawberry responses to N. These experiments received a mean rate of 62 kg N/ha band-applied in the fall. The response to drip was evaluated by two statistical models. The maximum yield response occurred at 0.70 kg/ha/day by the linear model and 0.90 kg N/ha/day by the quadratic model. No additional yield was obtained at higher N drip rates (the yield reached a plateau). The mean of these two values, 0.80 kg/ha/day, is representative of the rate of drip N needed in these two years of combined experiments. Since the N was applied over a 12-week period, it amounted to 70 kg/ha applied by drip irrigation. Add this to the 62 kg N/ha applied in the fall and this data suggest we maximized marketable yield at a total of N rate of 132 kg/ha.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- NO PUBLICATIONS REPORTED THIS PERIOD.
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