Progress 06/01/04 to 05/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project involves applied research to develop protocols for the profitable production and marketing of horticultural crops and specialty grains. Products include a manual, Guiding the Producer to New Crop Opportunities, presented to 63 extension personnel at three training sessions. Training materials were made available to all extension agents at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops/guiding.html. Research results and information on other crops, including 103 crop profiles, are disseminated via the New Crop Opportunities Center Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops. Results and additional information have been presented at field days at Princeton, Robinson Station, Morehead State, UK Horticulture Research Farm, Franklin and Whitley counties, and at the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meetings, Ohio River Valley Farm Marketing Conference, and the Kentucky Women in Agriculture Conference. In the Rudy Haag Burning Bush as a Non-invasive Alternative to Current Burning Bush Cultivars
project, propagation studies were conducted using softwood stem cuttings, the growth regulator Fascination was used to increase branching and produce more desirable plants on the invasive cultivar Compactus and on Rudy Haag, and fruit production was compared. Spicebush plants were also propagated. In the Developing Organic Apple Thinning Agents project, the fruit thinning efficacy of lime sulfur plus fish oil (LS/FO), a possible organic alternative to conventional synthetic thinners, was examined. Results from this project were presented at the 2007 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference. In the Evaluating Crop and Soil Fertility Changes during Transition to an Organic Vegetable Production System project, organic, conventional, and low-input systems were compared. Soil samples were tested for soil chemical and physical properties as well as soil enzyme activity. In the Sweet Sorghum Improvement project, breeding populations were developed, plant introductions
were screened for sugar concentration, the value of male sterility and hybrid vigor on syrup production was studied, and seed of released and heirloom varieties was purified. In the Conventional and Molecular Breeding of Soft White Winter Wheat project, three years of multi-location experiments were conducted to evaluate white and red sister breeding lines, and four presentations were made. In the Organic Grain Crops Field Research Initiative project, three organic systems were used: low grain intensity (corn followed by 18 months of orchard grass/red clover forage); moderate grain intensity (corn followed by winter rye cover crop, then soybean followed by hairy vetch cover crop); and high grain intensity (corn followed by winter wheat followed by double crop soybean). Data were collected on yields, weed densities, crop assessments, and soil quality indicators. Three presentations were made at the American Society of Agronomy annual meetings. In A Risk Management Analysis of Low
Phytate Corn project, economic assessment of the profitability and risk underlying low phytate corn production was conducted. A Ph.D. and an M.S. degree were awarded to students working on these projects.
PARTICIPANTS: Dewayne Ingram, David Van Sanford, and Carl Dillon served as co-principal investigators on the overall project. Principal investigators and co-principal investigators on specific research projects were Robert Geneve, Winston Dunwell, Robert G. Anderson, Joey H. Norikane, Douglas Archbold, Mark Williams, Brent Rowell, William Pearce, Morris Bitzer, Todd Pfeiffer, David Van Sanford, Carl Dillon, Sam McNeill, and Larry Grabau. Others working on the project were research analyst April Satanak, New Crop Opportunities Center coordinator Christy Cassady, extension associate Matt Ernst, and technical assistant Cheryl Kaiser. This project involved the training and professional development of nine graduate students, one postdoctoral researcher, and 16 undergraduate students. Training sessions were held for extension agents and associates.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the New Crop Opportunities project were extension agents in horticulture and agriculture and natural resources, and farmers seeking information about the production and marketing of horticultural and specialty grains crops. The average size of Kentucky farms is much smaller than the national average, and more than half of Kentucky farms have sales of less than $10,000 per year. Many Kentucky farmers were highly dependent on tobacco as a primary source of income, and as Kentucky tobacco production fell, alternative enterprises became essential to the survival of many family farms in the state. This project has targeted farmers looking for alternative crops to replace lost income from tobacco, and farmers looking to enhance their enterprises by improving production and marketing techniques.
Impacts
The 2007 Kentucky Produce Planting and Marketing Intentions Survey showed an expected acreage increase for vegetable crops of 11 percent. The majority of growers indicated their sales between 2003 and 2006 increased slightly (18%) or substantially (35%). Thirty percent of growers who responded to the 2006 survey were interested in organic production. Expected impact of New Crops research includes improved production techniques that will benefit organic growers. According to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturers Survey, organic foods reached $16.7 billion in consumer sales in the U.S. in 2006, an increase of 20.9%. Phase V research included projects on organic vegetables, apples, and grains. In the organic vegetable production system project, although weeds were generally higher in the organic treatment, yields were not significantly different than in conventional or low-input. Timing played a major role in the effectiveness of organic methods for
controlling weeds and disease. In the organic apple thinning project, leaf phytotoxicity was evident from most treatments, but no fruit damage was observed. Compared to standard carbaryl application for fruit thinning, LS/FO application reduced fruit load almost 70% across 3 cultivars. But the LS/FO application also reduced fruit size. Lower rates of LS and perhaps other surfactants need to be assessed to determine if LS has commercial viability as a post-bloom fruit thinner in apple. In the organic grain crops project, the three cropping systems have been much more consistent for corn yields than for soybean or wheat yields. In all three cropping systems, corn had excellent weed control and little disease or insect pressure. Wheat yields were similar, and soybean yields were somewhat lower than those obtained by conventional methods. Growth in Kentucky's horticulture industry was led by $81 million in sales by the nursery/greenhouse industry in 2006. Phase V included research on Rudy
Haag burning bush, which has the potential to bring a significant increase in income to Kentucky nurseries. Rudy Haag cuttings rooted at higher percentages and with more roots per cutting than either the species or Compactus, recognized as the main source of invasive burning bush plants. One application of Fascination increased plant size and stem number in container-grown Rudy Haag, which reached a salable size after two seasons in three-gallon containers. Rudy Haag set only 1.1 percent of the fruits produced by Compactus. Methods to establish spicebush plants from seeds and cuttings were also developed. In the wheat project, new information was generated about the time and methods of selection in developing white wheat lines from a red wheat breeding program, and about the possible role of seed coat color and tannins in resistance to head scab. In the risk management analysis project, survey results of Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) producers engaged in identity preserved
crop production identified no producers of low phytate corn. Lack of a separate market for low phytate corn and a corresponding price premium negates the economic viability for the crop under current conditions.
Publications
- Finneseth, C., Geneve, R., and Dunwell, W. 2007. Fruit Production in 'Compactus' and 'Rudy Haag' Burning Bush. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 13-14.
- Knott, C.A., Van Sanford, D.A., and Souza, E.J. 2008. Comparison of Selection Methods for the Development of White-Seeded Lines from Red x White Soft Winter Wheat Crosses. Crop Sci. (in press).
- Knott, C.A., Van Sanford, D.A., and Souza, E.J. 2008. Genetic Variation and the Effectiveness of Early-Generation Selection for Soft Winter Wheat Quality. Crop Sci. (pending).
- Knott, C., Van Sanford, D., and Souza, E. 2006. Genetic Variation for Gluten Strength and Water Holding Capacity in a Soft Winter Wheat Population. 2006 American Society of Agronomy Meetings, Indianapolis, Indiana. November, 2006. Agronomy Abstracts.
- Poston, A., Fulcher, A., Dunwell, W., and Geneve, R. 2007. Fascination Increases Growth of 'Rudy Haag' Burning Bush during Container Production. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 12-13.
- Poston, A., Johnstone, C., and Geneve, R. 2007. Cutting Propagation and Shoot Regrowth in 'Rudy Haag' Compared to Other Burning Bush Selections. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 10-11.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Work on nine research projects is ongoing. The first two years of the Evaluating Crop and Soil Fertility Changes during Transition to an Organic Vegetable Production System project have been completed. This project is focused on growers that are transitioning into organic vegetable production from tobacco or conventional vegetable production. Two years of soil sampling data have been taken. Enzymatic assays have shown variability across the field, but some differences are being observed between treatments, notably with carbon and nitrogen cycling enzymes. Developing Organic Apple Thinning Agents for Kentucky Fruit Growers is assessing the fruit thinning efficacy of a possible organic alternative to conventional thinners, lime sulfur plus fish oil (LS/FO). The results have been promising, as LS/FO application reduced fruit load almost 70%. In the Evaluation of High-value Traits for Corn in Kentucky project, it has been found that TC Blend high-oil corn can have a 10%
yield loss compared with No. 2 yellow corn. In the Sweet Sorghum Improvement project, 18 crosses were produced between early and late maturing sweet sorghum cultivars. F2 plants were selected in 2006 for early maturity and F2:3 lines will be screened in 2007 for resistance to maize dwarf virus and stalk red rot caused by anthracnose. Sorghum plant introductions obtained from the USDA germplasm collection at Griffin, GA, are being screened for stalk sugar. In the Rudy Haag Burning Bush project, long term seed ecology plots have been established to measure the number of seedlings produced per year from seed. After two years, less than 15 percent of the seeds have produced viable seedlings. Burning bush has a complex dormancy and requires long (12 plus) weeks of alternating chilling/warm/chilling/warm for dormancy release. Seed fecundity plots have been established in Lexington and Princeton. For Compact burning bush, approximately 12 percent of flowers produced fruit containing a single
seed, while in Rudy Haag only 0.5 percent of flowers produced a fruit. This translates into Rudy Haag producing less than 10 percent of the seeds produced by Compact burning bush. These data support Rudy Haag as a burning bush cultivar with low potential for rapid reproduction and establishment in natural communities. Initial studies on alternative production of native plants have focused on spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Methods to establish spicebush plants from seeds and cuttings have been developed, and these plants have been successfully transplanted and produced in 2006 in the container nursery. In the Organic Grain Crops Field Research Initiative, two locations to support the development of organic grain cropping systems have been established. In the Development of White Wheat Cultivars from a Red Wheat Breeding Program project, white seeded lines were planted at 2 locations (Lexington and Princeton, KY) with 2 replications in the fall of 2005. These lines are being evaluated for
yield, test weight, disease resistance and other agronomic traits. Milling and baking quality will also be assessed. Gluten strength has been evaluated on lines from one population.
Impacts
Gross sales from Kentucky's produce industry is expected to increase by at least 5% in 2006. This sector should continue to see a 5 to 10% increase. Produce acreage estimates from the 2006 Produce Planting Intentions Survey showed an 18% growth in overall produce acreage in Kentucky to approximately 10,611 acres. Large numbers of Kentucky tobacco growers exited tobacco production in 2005 in response to the national tobacco buyout program. Almost 25% of the producers responding to the 2006 survey said they grew tobacco on their farm in 2005, compared to about 45% in the previous five years. 37% of those who grew tobacco in 2005 indicated they would not grow it in 2006. 30% of growers said they were interested in organic production. Expected impact of New Crops research includes improving production techniques that will benefit organic growers in Kentucky. Organic food sales in the United States represent a $13 billion market. Phase V research includes projects on
organic vegetables, organic apples, and organic grains. Growth in Kentucky's horticulture industry is led by $80 million in sales by the nursery/greenhouse industry. Phase V includes research on Rudy Haag burning bush, which has the potential to bring a significant increase in income to Kentucky nurseries as an environmentally friendly alternative shrub. High-value corn research has the potential to lead to increased profits; white corn can receive a premium ranging from twenty-five to fifty cents per bushel. Net profits of more than $2,500 per acre are possible with sweet sorghum.
Publications
- Archbold, D.H. 2006. Developing organic apple thinning agents for Kentucky fruit growers. 2006 New Crop Opportunities Research Report PR-533: 31-32.
- Pearce, W.L., Curd, R.W. and Lee, C. 2006. 2006 Kentucky hybrid corn performance test. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress Report 535:1-28.
- Pfeiffer, T. and Bitzer, M. 2006. Sweet sorghum improvement. 2006 New Crop Opportunities Research Report PR-533: 68.
- Poston, A. and Geneve, R.L. 2006. Seed propagation of spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators Society 56: in press.
- Poston, A. and Geneve, R.L. 2006. Propagation of spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Proceedings of Southern Nursery Association Research Conference 51: in press.
- Williams, M. and Rowell, B. 2006. Evaluating crop and soil fertility changes during trainsition to an organic vegetable production system. 2006 New Crop Opportunities Research Report PR-533: 31.
- Geneve, R. and Dunwell, W. 2006. Rudy Haag burning bush as a non-invasive alternative to current burning bush cultivars for Kentucky nursery production. 2006 New Crop Opportunities Research Report PR-533: 25.
- Grabau, L. 2006. Organic grain crops field research initiative. 2006 New Crop Opportunities Research Report PR-533: 61-62.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Work on nine research projects is ongoing. The Evaluating Crop and Soil Fertility Changes during Transition to an Organic Vegetable Production System project was started in summer 2004. This project is focused on growers that are transitioning into organic vegetable production from tobacco or conventional vegetable production. It involves analyzing and documenting changes in produce yield and quality, changes in soil biological, chemical and physical properties and weed dynamics, and economic outcomes during the 3 year transition from conventional to organic vegetable production. This project is also comparing the same parameters of three production systems; organic, conventional, and low-input. The first two years of the study have been completed. Developing Organic Apple Thinning Agents for Kentucky Fruit Growers is assessing the fruit thinning efficacy of a possible organic alternative to conventional thinners, lime sulfur plus fish oil (LS/FO) applications 7 days
after petal fall (PF). In 2004, several rates and times of application were applied as branch treatments to 5 cultivars, Gala, Fuji, Senshu, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. The objectives were to determine if the desired rates and/or times would cause significant phytotoxicity. LS/FO was applied at a 30% LS and 3% FO concentrations on 3 dates, PF, PF+5 days, and PF+10 days. Leaf phytotoxicity was evident, but no fruit damage was observed. The leaf injury only occurred to leaves that existed at the time of application. Leaves with more severe symptoms dropped, but most leaves survived. As the season progressed, injury symptoms were barley noticeable. In 2005, LS/FO (30%/3%) was applied once at PF+7 to whole trees of Redfree, Gala, and Golden Delicious. The results were promising, as LS/FO application reduced fruit load almost 70% across the 3 cultivars. The study will continue in 2006 with the same rates on more cultivars, and perhaps other times of application. In the Evaluation
of High-value Traits for Corn in Kentucky project, it has been found that TC Blend High Oil Corn can have a 10% yield loss as compared to No. 2 yellow corn. TC Blend High Oil corn is a higher energy source than No. 2 yellow corn, and can be used effectively for feed.
Impacts
Expected impact includes determination of improved production techniques that will benefit organic growers in Kentucky, allowing them to earn premium prices for their horticultural and specialty grains crops. Organic food sales in the United States represent a $13 billion market that is increasing at a rate of about 20% annually. New Crops Phase V research includes projects on production of organic vegetables, organic apples, and organic grain crops. Phase V also includes research on Rudy Haag burning bush. Burning bush is the most important landscape shrub sold for hedging in the northern United States. Kentucky rates burning bush as a severe threat on its list of invasive woody plants; research on Rudy Haag burning bush has the potential to bring a significant increase in income to Kentucky nurseries as an environmentally friendly alternative shrub. High-value corn research has the potential to lead to increased profits for Kentucky corn growers; white corn can
receive a premium ranging from twenty-five cents to fifty cents per bushel above No. 2 yellow corn. Research on improved varieties of sweet sorghum will benefit farmers who are seeking to meet the demand of a growing market. A recent budget for sweet sorghum estimated that net profits of more than $2,500 per acre are possible.
Publications
- Pearce, W.L., Curd, R.W. and Lee, C. 2005. 2005 Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress Report 518:1-28.
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