Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Growers in South Carolina continue to increase their interest in additional vegetables that can be grown in their operation, that might bring additional income and increase their market share. The specialty market has grown and the public interest in unique vegetables has increased. The small size potato project has generated a lot of interest from growers, restaurant industry, supermarket chains and the South Caroling Department of Agriculture. In 2008, we test marketed our product to restaurant chefs and roadside markets in clear pint containers and 5 lbs. bags. This project has grown from a .25-acre project in 2003 to over 8 acres and 70 different cultivars in 2008. Potato breeders are currently developing specialty type potatoes along with their standard breeding material. Chefs continue to give us their wish list as well as local markets. Supermarkets have also expressed and interest in marketing them in there high end supermarkets so we will begin offering then in 2009. The cost to them has little to do with their decision to purchase the product. The more unique the product is the better the demand. Mini watermelons are continuing to increase in acreage. Our work has shifted into grafting watermelon plants onto rootstocks that have shown to contain resistance to soil borne diseases. Our work has focused on screening rootstock material that has shown tolerance to three major soil borne diseases. With the loss of methyl bromide, this has sparked an interest by growers. Some of the added benefits from grafting are an increase in the number of melons per plant and a much firmer fruit flesh. In 2008 results have indicated that the fruit is significantly firmer and the shelf life is much longer. This has sparked an interest by the fresh cut market s well. The National Watermelon Association has expressed in interest and has funded this project in the amount of over 90 thousand dollars. Seed companies have also joined forces and have given over 25 thousand dollars. Sweet corn has started to increase in acreage to about 2000. We continue to do grower trials looking at the new extra tender cultivars and had an open house where major food chains participated in the evaluations again in 2008. We are able to market our sweet corn from June until November. However the fall market has decreased due to insect pressure. Our focus now has been to select insect resistant lines. Parsley, radish and cilantro have become a key part of winter production in South Carolina with over 500 acres currently being grown. Acreage continues to increase each year with broccoli being added to the mix of winter vegetables. Broccoli is now cost effective due to shipment costs. We are currently selecting cultivars that are suitable for our area. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The impact of this work has gained a lot of attention from consumers, chefs, retail supermarkets as well as growers up and down the east coast. This last winter I have given presentations in ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. The grafting research has taken me to Florida, Pennsylvania, and Korea. I presented my findings to the National Watermelon Association as well. Results from this meeting, has sparked a interest form organizations in Spain and China as an invited speaker to also explain our findings. We have come up with a new grafting methods as well as possible superior root stock material. Specialty markets have begun to develop and the demand for the small size potatoes seems to be there. The demand for something different in the potato market has sparked an interest for different flesh colors. Chefs in Charleston, South Carolina have started to advertise these potatoes on the menu and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture has featured them. One of the leading supermarket chains has expressed interest in test marketing out product in 2008 and 2009. We are now a major player in the South In the sweet corn market. Our yields are among the highest in the southeast and our quality is excellent. The acreages continue to increase every year. Parsley, radishes and cilantro have opened winter markets for our growers. This has opened additional markets for other winter vegetables like broccoli. The quality is excellent and the additional income has made a big impact on the health of our growers. The new crops we have introduced to our growers are amount those listed as containing the highest nutritional value and reduce the risk of cancer.
Publications
- 1. Shepard, B., M. Shapiro, R. Hassell, M. Shaffer, C. Smith. (2008). Supplemental control of lepidopterous pests on BT transgenic sweet corn with biologically-based spray treatments. Journal if Insect Science: Vol 9 article 10. 2. Hassell, R., F. Memmott, and D. Liere. (2008). Grafting methods for watermelon production. HortScience 43(6):1677-1679
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Growers in South Carolina continue to increase their interest in additional vegetables that can be grown in their operation, that might bring additional income and increase their market share. The specialty market has grown and the public interest in unique vegetables has increased. The small size potato project has generated a lot of interest from growers, restaurant industry, supermarket chains and the South Caroling Department of Agriculture. In 2007, we test marketed our product to restaurant chefs and roadside markets in clear pint containers and 5 lbs. bags. This project has grown from a .25-acre project in 2003 to over 3 acres and 50 different cultivars in 2007. Potato breeders are currently developing specialty type potatoes along with their standard breeding material. Chefs continue to give us their wish list as well as local markets. Supermarkets have also expressed and interest in marketing them in there high end supermarkets so we will begin offering then
in 2008. The cost to them has little to do with their decision to purchase the product. The more unique the product is the better the demand. Mini watermelons are continuing to increase in acreage. Our work has shifted into grafting watermelon plants onto rootstocks that have shown to contain resistance to soil borne diseases. Our work has focused on screening rootstock material that has shown tolerance to three major soil borne diseases. With the loss of methyl bromide, this has sparked an interest by growers. Some of the added benefits from grafting are an increase in the number of melons per plant and a much firmer fruit flesh. In 2007 results have indicated that the fruit is significantly firmer and the shelf life is much longer. This has sparked an interest by the fresh cut market s well. The National Watermelon Association has expressed in interest and has funded this project in the amount of over 36 thousand dollars. Sweet corn has started to increase in acreage to about 1500.
We continue to do grower trials looking at the new extra tender cultivars and had an open house where major food chains participated in the evaluations again in 2007. We are able to market our sweet corn from June until November. However the fall market has decreased due to insect pressure. Our focus now has been to select insect resistant lines. Parsley, radish and cilantro have become a key part of winter production in South Carolina with over 300 acres currently being grown. Acreage continues to increase each year with broccoli being added to the mix of winter vegetables. Broccoli is now cost effective due to shipment costs. We are currently selecting cultivars that are suitable for our area. Our work with lettuce has stimulated interest in growing this crop in the Carolinas. A fresh cut salad plant is now under construction in North Carolina. They are currently looking for growers to grow lettuce.
Impacts
The impact of this work has gained a lot of attention from consumers, chefs, retail supermarkets as well as growers up and down the east coast. This last winter I have given presentations in New York, North Carolina, Georgia, and as far west as Arizona. The grafting research has taken me to Alabama to present out finding to the National Watermelon Association. Results from this meeting, has sparked a interest form organizations in Spain and China as an invited speaker to also explain our findings. We have come up with a new grafting methods as well as possible superior root stock material. Specialty markets have begun to develop and the demand for the small size potatoes seems to be there. The demand for something different in the potato market has sparked an interest for different flesh colors. Chefs in Charleston, South Carolina have started to advertise these potatoes on the menu and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture has featured them. One of the leading
supermarket chains has expressed interest in test marketing out product in 2008. We are now a major player in the South In the sweet corn market. Our yields are among the highest in the southeast and our quality is excellent. The acreages continue to increase every year. Parsley, radishes and cilantro have opened winter markets for our growers. This has opened additional markets for other winter vegetables like broccoli. The quality is excellent and the additional income has made a big impact on the health of our growers. The new crops we have introduced to our growers are amount those listed as containing the highest nutritional value and reduce the risk of cancer.
Publications
- Kousik. C.S., B.M. Shepard, R.L. Hassell, A. Levi, and M. Simmons. (2007). Potential sources for resistance to broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) in watermelon germplasm. HortScience 42(7):1539-1544.
- Hassell, R., J. Schultheis, S. Olsen, D. Maynard, and G. Miller. (2007).Yield and quality of triploid miniwatermelon cultivars and experimental hybrids in diverse environments in the southeastern United States. HortTechnology 17(4):608-617.
- Hassell, R., T. Phillips, and R. Dufault. (2007). Influence of fertigation rates applied at different developmental stages on muskmelon earliness, yield, and quality. Acta Hort. 731:519-524.
- Schultheis, J., W. Jester, R. Hassell, and W. Bradford. (2007). Mini triploid watermelon cultigen evaluations for yield and quality, and marketing in the Unites States. Acta Hort. 731:171-182.
- Dufault, J., B. Ward, and R. Hassell. (2006). Planting date and cultivar affect romaine lettuce quality and productivity. HortScience 41(3)640-645. Kousik, C.S., and R.L. Hassell 2007. Evaluation of cultural practices and fungicides for managing Phytophthora fruit rot of watermelon, 2006. Plant Disease Management Reports. 1:V010.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Growers in South Carolina continue to increase their interest in additional vegetables that can be grown i their operations. The specialty market has grown and the public interest in unique vegetables has increased. The 'B' size potato project has generated a lot of interest from growers, restaurant industry and supermarket chains. In 2006 we test marketed our product to restaurant chefs and roadside markets in clear pint containers and 5 lb bags. This project has grown from a .25 acre project for over 2 acres and 25 different cultivars. Potato breeders are currently developing specialty type potatoes along with their standard breeing material. Chefs continue to give us their wish list as well as the local markets. The cost to them has little to do with their decision to purchase the product. Mini watermelons are continuing to increase in acreage. Our work has shifted into grafting watermelon plants onto rootstocks that have shown to contain resistance to soilborne
diseases. Our work has focused on screening rootstock material that has shown tolerance to three major soilborne diseases. With the loss of methyl bromide, this has sparked an interest by growers. Some of the added benefits from grafting are an increase in the number of melons per plant and a much firmer fruit flesh. This has sparked an interest by the fresh cut market as well. Sweet corn has started to increase in acreage to about 1000. We continue to do grower trials looking at the new, extra tender cultivars and had an open house where major food chains participated in the evaluations. We are able to grow market sweet corn from June until November. Parsley, radish and cilantro have become a key part of winter production in South Carolina. Acreage continues to increase each year with broccoli being added to the mix of winter vegetables. With the added cost of shipping more demand for locally grown produce has come into play. Our work with lettuce has stimulated interest in growing
this crop in the Carolinas. A fresh cut salad plant is now under construction in North Carolina. They are currently looking for growers to grow lettuce.
Impacts
The impact of this work has gained a lot of attention from consumers as well as growers along the east coast. This last winter I have given presentations in New York, Pennsylvania and North Carolina on our potato work as well as the grafting research. Specialty markets have begun to develop and the demand for the B size potatoes seems to be there. The demand for something different in the potato market has sparked an interest for different flesh colors. Chefs in Charleston, South Carolina have started to advertise these potatoes on the menu. Watermelon grafting has sparked greenhouse growers to test market grafted plants. Seed companies have invested in rootstock material and in 2007 we are testing twelve different rootstocks. Our work with watermelons has generated national interest as well. The research arm of the national watermelon organization has decided to fund our work for the 2007 season. We are now a major player in the South in the sweet corn market. Our
yields are among the highest in the southeast and our quality is excellent. The acreages continue to increase every year. Parsley, radishes and cilantro have opened winter markets for our growers. This has opened additional markets for other winter vegetables like broccoli. The quality is excellent and the additional income has made a big impact on the health of our growers.
Publications
- 1. Dufault, R., A. Korkmaz, B. Ward and R. Hassell, 2006. Planting date and cultivar affect muskmelon and honeydew yield and quality. HortScience 41(7):1559-1564. 2. Dufault, R., B. Ward and R. Hassell, 2006. Planting date and cultivar affect romaine lettuce yield and head quality. HortScience 41(3)640-645
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Growers in South Carolina continue to increase there interest in additional vegetables that can be grown there operations. The "B" size potato project has generated a lot of interest from growers as well as the restaurant industry. We continue to test market our product, not only in the Charleston area but as far west as Nevada. Chiefs gave us there wish list as well as the local markets. We test marketed them in clam shells which gained a great deal of interest. Mini watermelons are continuing to increase in acreage. We worked on the disease tolerance with screening cultivars that show tolerance to three major diseases. A number of growers are test marketing this crop. Sweet corn has started to increase in acreage to about 800. We conducted a grower trial looking at the new, extra tender cultivars and had an open house where major food chains participated in the evaluations. Parsley, Radish and Cilantro have become a key part of winter production in the South
Carolina.
Impacts
The impact of this work has gained a lot of attention from consumers as well as growers. Markets have begun to develop and the demand for the B size seems to be there. We are now a major player in the South in the sweet corn market. Quality is excellent and out yields are above average. Acreage continues to increase. Parsley, Radishes and Cilantro have opened winter markets for our growers. The quality is excellent and the additional income has made a big impact on the health of our growers. Our work with mini watermelons has generated national interest. I attended a national watermelon meeting in Australia this past November and presented two papers on the work that we have been doing.
Publications
- Hale, T., R. Hassell, and T. Phillips. (2005). Refractometer measurements of soluble solids does not reliably predict sugar content in sweet corn. HortTechnology 15(3):668-672
- Hale, T., R. Hassell, T. Phillips and E. Halpin. (2005). Taste panel perception of sweetness and sweetness acceptability compared to high pressure liquid chromatography analysis of sucrose and total sugars among three phenotypes (su, se and sh2) at varying maturities of fresh sweet corn. HortTechnology 15(2):313-317
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Growers in South Carolina continue to increase there interest in additional vegetables that can be grown there operations. The "B" size potato project has generated a lot of interest from growers as well as the restaurant industry. We continue to test market our product within Charleston and this coming season a local grower will be supplying some of the local restaurant chains with this product. Mini watermelons are continuing to gain interest. We worked out the plant spacing issues as well as cultivars selection and are now in the process of working up the bottom line in cost to produce the crop. A number of growers are test marketing this crop. Sweet corn has started to increase in acreage to about 400. Parsley and Cilantro have become a key part of winter production in the South Carolina.
Impacts
The impact of this work had been minimal at this point. Growers have expressed a great deal of interest in the potential and are looking forward to the final results. An open house was held last year in which growers were most interested in the B size potato research project. They felt that it had the best potential to fit into their operations. A research oral presentation was given at ASHS Southern Region meeting this past February on this potato project.
Publications
- Hassell, R., R. Dufault, and T. Phillips. (2004). Relationship among seed size, source and temperature on germination of Echinacea angustifolia, pallida and purpurea. Acta Hort.629: 239-243.
- Rushing, J., R. Hassell, and R. Dufault. (2004). Drying temperatures and stage of development at harvest influence active principle in feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium L. Acta Hort.629:167-173. Hassell, R., R. Dufault, T. Phillips, and T. Hale. (2004). Influence of temperature gradients on Pale and Purple Coneflower, Feverfew and Valerian Germination. HortTechnology 13(3):368-371 .
- Hale T., R. Hassell, T. Phillips, and E. Halpin. (2004). Penetrometer and taste panel perception of pericarp tenderness in su, se, and sh2 sweet corn at three maturities. HortTechnology 14(4):521-524
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
In the spring of 2003 we began a project looking at a new potential crop for our area, that being B size potatoes. There were two factors that stimulated this effort: (1) the market potential survey for South Carolina indicated that with the large tourist industry along the coast many restaurants use a large quantity of small size whole potatoes and (2) the use of plastic mulch. Chief indicators are that prices are much higher for potatoes when requesting the small B size. In recent years breeders have released lines that produce only small size tubers. In South Carolina plastic mulch is used extensively for growing a number of crops, (tomato, pepper, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber). Most of the plastic is used once and then removed. In recent years the cost of the material has made that practice prohibitive. This past year we looked at four breeding lines and six types of colored mulch. Raised plastic covered beds were three feet wide on six foot centers. In the
spring, we planted twin rows of tubers eighteen inches between rows and ten inches between tubers. Potatoes were harvested in June and graded using a mechanical tomato grader. First year results indicated real potential for our area. Potato tuber quality was excellent and yields were expectable. Plant stands were one of our concerns. Further work is planned for 2004. Other potential crops that are being considered are summer and fall asparagus, summer leeks, medicinal herbs, and palm seedless watermelon. We are involved this coming year in a multi-state research project that deals with the potential of these crops.
Impacts
The impact of this work had been minimal at this point. Growers have expressed a great deal of interest in the potential and are looking forward to the final results. An open house was held last year in which growers were most interested in the B size potato research project. They felt that it had the best potential to fit into their operations. A research oral presentation was given at ASHS Southern Region meeting this past February on this potato project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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