Progress 12/01/00 to 11/30/06
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The overall objective of the vegetable crops research program is to design and evaluate season extension technologies for vegetable crops in Missouri. Specifically, we evaluate cultural practices that will enable Missouri producers to grow, harvest and market warm season vegetables over a longer time period. Watermelons are a significant vegetable crop for Missouri growers (5500 acres). New cultivars and types of watermelons were evaluated. Research projects were conducted to evaluate potato production in high tunnels, production of "galia" melons within high tunnels, organic tomato production within a high tunnel using variable rates of compost, strawberry production as a rotational crop with tomatoes within a high tunnel, using high tunnels to extend the growing season of bell peppers, and micro (personal-sized) melons as an alternative type of melon for Missouri growers. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Vegetable producers in Missouri and the midwest. Other horticulturalists in the state and region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
High tunnels significantly lengthened the growing season for "galia" (specialty) melons. The melons were ready to be harvested 3 weeks earlier than field-grown melons with significantly higher marketable yields. Using water to retain specific heat around each melon plant significantly increased earliness. Tomatoes were harvested 5 weeks earlier than field-grown tomatoes with less disease and physiological ripening disorders that typically result from a variable field environment. Compost rate did not affect tomato yield. Yield of organically-grown tomatoes was equivalent to conventionally grown tomatoes. Late season harvest of bell peppers, a double crop with tomatoes, extended through November. Potatoes are a high-yielding crop for high tunnel production with most cultivars averaging 1 lb/square foot. In addition, the potatoes were planted and harvested 30 days earlier than field-grown potatoes. Micro melons were very productive and produced more fruit per acre than standard size, seedless melons.
Publications
- Effects of Mulch Type and Planting Date on Tomato Earliness Within a High Tunnel. HortScience 39:867. 2004.
- Organic vegetable gardening techniques. Lewis W. Jett. 2004. University of Missouri Extension Publication G6220.
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
High tunnels use solar energy to extend the growing season of horticulture crops. Research at the University of Missouri has focused on using high tunnels (i.e., solar greenhouses) as tools for prolonging the growing and marketing season for frost sensitive vegetables such as melons (Cucurbita sp.,), tomatoes and peppers (Solanum sp.). In 2004, high tunnels were used to evaluate melon culture. Galia melons are a specialty melon which may be well suited to culture within a high tunnel. Galia melons (cv. Levigal) were transplanted starting on March 31, 2004. Growing on trellises within a high tunnel resulted in a crop 30-35 days earlier than melons produced in the open field environment with superior quality and yield.
Impacts
Research has provided information on the optimal planting date(s)and cultural practices for warm season vegetable crops within high tunnels in the Central Midwest. Successful and profitable cropping systems for high tunnels have been developed for growers.
Publications
- Jett, Lewis W., Edward Carey and L. Hodges. 2004. The Central Great Plains High Tunnel Horticulture Project. HortScience 39(4):750.
- Jett, Lewis W. 2004. Organic Vegetable Production Techniques. University of Missouri Extension Publication No. G6220.
- Jett, Lewis W. 2004. High Tunnel Tomato Production. University of Missouri Extension Publication M170.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
High tunnels have been successfully used to lengthen the growing and harvest season for tomatoes, peppers and cucurbits in the Central Great Plains. Research has indicated that high tunnels as stand alone season extenders can increase the average daily temperature by as much as 4C. Warm season vegetable crops are able to be established 30-60 days earlier with a high tunnel. Intercropping systems for high tunnels enables warm season and cool season vegetable crops to be overlapped. Specifically, cool season salad vegetables such as lettuce can be successfully intercropped with tomatoes followed by relay cropping tomatoes with basil.
Impacts
Research has provided information on the optimal planting date(s) for warm season vegetable crops within high tunnels in the Central Midwest. Successful and profitable cropping systems for high tunnels have been developed for growers.
Publications
- Jett, Lewis W. 2003. Oblong seedless watermelon trials. Midwestern Vegetable Variety trial Report. Bulletin No. 909. Jett, Lewis W. and Andrew Read. 2003. Tomato cropping systems for high tunnels in the central midwest. HortScience 38(5):703. Jett, Lewis W. and J. S. Chism. 2003. Intercropping systems for high tunnels in the central midwest. HortScience 38(5): 703. Jett, Lewis W., J. Chism and A. Read. 2003. Intercropping tomatoes with cool season vegetables within high tunnels. Proceedings 31st national Agriculture Plastics Congress
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Research evaluation of slect tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) hybrids revealed that certain cultivars are more tolerant to early blight (Alternaria solani). Cultivars 'Amelia' 'BHN 543' and 'Florida 91' and 'Mountain Fresh' exhibited excellent tolerance to early blight. High tunnels significantly accelereated early harvest of fresh market determinate tomatoes. Early (i.e., mid-March) transplanting significantly increased early harvest. High tunnels maintain average daily temperatures approximately 12F greater than ambient temperatures. Using clear and black plastic mulch decreased time to maturity more than using row covers (light spunbonded fabric) alone. Tomatoes can be successfully intercropped with lettuce within a high tunnels without a significant reduction in yield of either crop.
Impacts
Growers are evaluating high tunnels as a season extension technique for many horticulture crops. High tunnels modify the growing environment, making a more favorable environment for high-value crops. In 2002, we observed a 50% increase in construction of high tunnels by Missouri growers.
Publications
- Jett, L. W. 2002. Evaluating tomato cultivars for early blight tolerance in Missouri. Midwestern Vegetable Variety Trial Report for 2002. M. Morales ( ed.).
|
Progress 01/02/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Cultivar evaluations across Missouri in 2000 indicated significant results. With tomatoes, the cultivar 'Floralina' produced significantly high yields of US 1 grade tomatoes. 'Floralina' also had significantly better taste and overall appearance as determined by a panel of Master Gardeners. With triploid watermelon evaluations, the cvs '5244', 'Freedom', '4502' and 'Palomar' significantly outyielded other cultivars. Integrated Pest Management research with sweet corn indicated that the Attribute Bt cultivars can significantly reduce corn earworm infestation at late (June) plantings when corn earworm pressure is routinely above threshold. Attribute sweet corn had significantly higher yields of marketable sweet corn relative to SE cultivars at early and late planting dates. Using IPM techniques reduced corn earworm damage as much as routine, calendar-based spraying
Impacts
Growers can make informed decisions on appropriate cultivars for Missouri growing conditions. Evaluation of corn earworm management practices for growers in southeast Missouri will demonstrate the effectiveness of using IPM. IPM will protect the environment and reduce input costs associated with sweet corn production.
Publications
- Jett, Lewis W., Charles Marr, and Ted Carey. 2000. Missouri and Kansas Tomato Cultivar Evaluations. Midwestern Vegetable Variety Trial Report for 2000, Purdue University. (M. Morales, ed..)
|
|