Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Producing greenhouse lettuce and other crops in high latitude locations is challenging. Outside temperatures may vary up to 85 degrees from minus 50C during the winter to plus 35C in the summer. Large seasonal variation in natural day lengths between sunrise and sunset from 3 hours and 33 min at winter solstice to 22 hours and 6 min at summer solstice (latitude 65oN). Continuous light and temperature modifications are therefore, required to efficiently produce greenhouse crops throughout the year. Cultivar decisions are critical for success and the performance of a range of lettuce selections was therefore evaluated throughout the year. The greenhouse technology and management procedures developed in this project e are suitable for dissemination and use in various locations throughout Alaska and other places with similar climates. A hydroponic system was used to produce lettuce. Harvest was done after 28 to 30 growing days from seeding during summer conditions. The production time was extended to 32 to 35 days when light decreased and was primarily supplied from metal halide lamps. The best cultivars of romaine lettuce including for winter conditions were Coastal Star and Green Forest. The cultivar Counter was also tried but dropped due to unsatisfactory performance. The long day adapted Charles is the best year round butterhead lettuce. Elton, Sylvesta, Red Cross with red leaves and Michael have been tried but do not meet expectations and the growth does not compare to Charles. The summer crisp lettuce Nevada, red-leaf Cherokee and Magenta with a hint of red in the leaves do well although only Nevada is suitable for winter production. The multi-leaf Multy is excellent at all times even with a tendency to bolt beyond the optimal harvest stage. The green Lollo lettuce Cireo is a great producer throughout the year while the red Revolution only grows well during summer months. The red Ferrari and the green Galisse oak-leaf lettuce have rapid development independent of the production period. Basic on the other hand, has been dropped as an oak-leaf lettuce. Mirata is a long day curly lettuce with continuously good growth although germination is sometimes problematic. Cooling the solution of a hydroponic system to counter above optimum air temperatures resulted in improved growth of the butterhead lettuce Nevada. The lettuce in 16C solution had significantly higher shoot fresh weight at 137 g compared to 128 g in the 20C solution. Shoot dry weight was also higher with cooler solution although the root dry weight was similar at 2.1 g. The ratio between root dry and root fresh weights was 7.2 percent at 20C and 6.7 percent at 16C. A larger proportion dry weight was also partitioned to the roots for lettuce in 20C. Roots in the cooler solution were longer and less branched. Lettuce in warmer solution averaged two more leaves although not significantly different from the 30 leaves at 16C. Despite a similar leaf number, total plant leaf area (1,922 square cm) was larger at 16C than the 1,903 square cm at 20C. Plant height was 11.0 cm and the width 24.2 cm at 20C and at 16C, 12.6 and 25.6 cm. PARTICIPANTS: Meriam Karlsson, Professor of Horticulture, project manager; Jeff Werner, Research Professional; James Ward, B.S. student; Andrew Winkelman, B.S. student; Patrick Terra, B.S. student; Patrick Sanders, B.S. student; Justin Hogrefe, B.S. student; Melissa Gagnon, B.S. student; Kate Fournier, B.S. student; Chena Hot Springs Resort, Collaborator, Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Collaborator TARGET AUDIENCES: Owners, managers and employees of local greenhouse and other horticulture operations and businesses; individuals considering potential horticulture production ventures; students at secondary and post-secondary levels including undergraduate and graduate students; initial and continuing training opportunities for the local workforce of horticulture operations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Efforts to cost effectively produce food locally are becoming more urgent as energy, heating oil and transportation costs are increasing. For communities to become more sustainable and self-reliant in respect to energy and food, greenhouse crop production is an integral system component. Producing food in greenhouses with renewable or waste energy resources, a short distance from consumption is expected less vulnerable to outside influence than systems completely dependent on brought in food. The need for modern up-to-date equipment, automation and progressive growing protocols is of outermost importance for managing controlled environment production in areas with challenging extreme climatic summer and winter conditions. The need for schooling, training, and formal education addressing the challenges and opportunities to grow crops in fields, high tunnels, greenhouses, modified and controlled environments under high latitude conditions is subsequently also increasing. Results generated in this project are used to formulate strategies for constructive and successful management, mechanization and operation of local greenhouses. Working with Chena Hot Springs Resort (CHSR), findings, facility management and crop approach are demonstrated and evident to the public through the implementation in commercial production. A variety of alternative, renewable and waste energy resources in addition to geothermal energy can be used to run the CHSR system of heating and generating electric power for greenhouse production. A continuous flow of local, national and international visitors is introduced at CHSR to greenhouse crops and techniques throughout the year. For those wanting more in depth greenhouse knowledge and the integration of alternative and more efficient use of energy, additional public programs and information are available.
Publications
- Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2009. Hydroponic greenhouse lettuce production in subarctic conditions using geothermal heat and power. Acta Horticulturae (in press)
- Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2008. Modified field environments for high latitude crop production, p. 64. International Meeting on Controlled Environment Agriculture, Advance in Research and Design in CEA Facilities. Cocoa Beach, Florida
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Efforts to cost effectively produce food locally are becoming more urgent as energy, heating and transportation costs are increasing. For communities to become more sustainable and self-reliant in respect to energy and food, greenhouse crop production is an integral system component. Producing food in greenhouses with renewable or waste energy resources, a short distance from consumption is expected less vulnerable to outside influences than systems completely dependent on brought in food. The need for training, and formal education addressing challenges and opportunities to grow crops in fields, high tunnels, greenhouses, modified and controlled environments under high latitude conditions is subsequently also increasing. Results generated in this project are used to formulate strategies for constructive and successful management, mechanization and operation of local greenhouses. We are for example, responding to inquiries from many communities throughout Alaska as they are pursuing opportunities to initiate, if even on a limited scale, local greenhouse production. Working with Chena Hot Springs Resort (CHSR), findings, facility management and crop approach are also demonstrated and evident to the public through direct implementation in commercial production. A variety of alternative, renewable and waste energy resources in addition to geothermal energy can be used to run the CHSR system of heating and generating electric power for greenhouse production. A continuous flow of local, national and international visitors is introduced throughout the year to greenhouse crops and techniques at CHSR. The guided programs have a minimum of 15 daily participants from local populations, residents from various parts of Alaska, and visitors from all over the world. Demographic, financial and educational backgrounds vary widely among participants. For those wanting more in depth greenhouse knowledge and the integration of alternative and more efficient use of energy, additional public programs and information are available. Educational programs are also offered to the public during the summer months in a partnership with Pike's Greenhouse in Fairbanks. Formal and self-guided tours of the greenhouse attract a minimum of 50 daily participants throughout the months of June, July, August and September. Pamphlets have been developed to support the daily programs at both CHSR and Pike's in efforts to inform and educate the public about cropping techniques, research activities and opportunities for local greenhouse production. The greenhouses at CHSR and Pike's, in collaboration with University of Alaska Fairbanks, also offer training and summer job opportunities for high school and college students. At Pike's, in addition to running the greenhouse and managing the grounds, the students provide the daily educational programs and answer questions related to greenhouse production, Alaska agriculture and their summer employment experience. PARTICIPANTS: Meriam Karlsson, Professor of Horticulture, project manager; Jeff Werner, Research Professional; James Ward, B.S. student; Andrew Winkelman, B.S. student; Patrick Terra, B.S. student; Patrick Sanders, B.S. student; Justin Hogrefe, B.S. student; Melissa Gagnon, B.S. student; Kate Fournier, B.S. student; Chena Hot Springs Resort, Collaborator, Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Collaborator TARGET AUDIENCES: Owners, managers and employees of local horticulture operations and businesses; individuals considering potential horticulture production ventures; community members throughout Alaska and in other rural areas with interest and concern for a secure, safe and affordable food supply; students at secondary and post-secondary levels including undergraduate and graduate students; initial and continuing training opportunities for the local workforce of horticulture operations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Producing greenhouse crops in high latitude locations is challenging. Outside temperatures may vary up to 85 degrees from minus 50oC during the winter to plus 35oC in the summer. Large seasonal variation in natural day lengths between sunrise and sunset from 3 hours and 33 min at winter solstice to 22 hours and 6 min at summer solstice (latitude 65oN). Continuous light and temperature modifications are therefore, required to efficiently produce greenhouse crops throughout the year. The greenhouse technology and management procedures developed in this project are suitable for dissemination and use in various locations throughout Alaska and other places with similar climates. Cultivar decisions are critical for success and the performance of various selections often needs to be evaluated since no information for conditions with naturally extreme long or short days is available. Lettuce was evaluated for year round production using a hydroponic growing system. Harvest was done after 28 to 30 growing days from seeding during summer conditions. The production time was extended to 32 to 35 days when light decreased and artificial light was supplied. The best cultivars of romaine lettuce including for winter conditions were Coastal Star and Green Forest. The cultivar Counter was also tried but dropped due to unsatisfactory performance. The long day adapted Charles is the best year round butterhead lettuce. Elton, Sylvesta, Red Cross with red leaves and Michael have been tried but do not meet expectations and the growth does not compare to Charles. The summer crisp lettuce Nevada, red-leaf Cherokee and Magenta with a hint of red in the leaves do well although only Nevada is suitable for winter production. The multi-leaf Multy is excellent at all times even with a tendency to bolt beyond the optimal harvest stage. The green Lollo lettuce Cireo is a great producer throughout the year while the red Revolution only grows well during summer months. The red Ferrari and the green Galisse oak-leaf lettuce have rapid development independent of the production period. Basic on the other hand, has been dropped as an oak-leaf lettuce. Mirata is a long day curly lettuce with continuously good growth although germination is sometimes problematic. Cooling the solution of a hydroponic system to counter above optimum air temperatures resulted in improved growth of the butterhead lettuce Nevada. The lettuce in 16C solution had significantly higher shoot fresh weight at 137 gram compared to 128 gram in the 20C solution. Shoot dry weight was also higher with cooler solution although the root dry weight was similar at 2.1 gram. The ratio between root dry and root fresh weights was 7.2 percent at 20C and 6.7 percent at 16C. A larger proportion dry weight was also partitioned to the roots for lettuce in 20C. Roots in the cooler solution were longer and less branched. We continue to participate in these studies as the renewed multi-state project NE 1035.
Publications
- Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2010. High tunnel covering materials for northern field production. Acta Horticulturae (in press).
- Karlsson, M. 2009. Growing under the midnight sun. SNRAS/AFES Misc. Pub. No. MP 2009-06.
- Karlsson, M. 2009. Growing fresh vegetables: midnight sun and the earth's warmth. SNRAS/AFES Misc. Pub. No. MP 2009-10.
- Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2009. High tunnel covering materials for Northern field production. International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse Systems. GreenSys2009 Scientific Program P129, p. 156, Quebec City, Canada. (Abstract.)
- Karlsson, M. 2008. Hydroponic systems for northern production. Misc. Publication. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
- Karlsson, M. and J. Werner. 2008. Early day length sensitivity in sunflower. HortScience 43:1261-1262.
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The butterhead lettuce Nevada was grown in a nutrient film technique system in a northern greenhouse environment. SURE GRO channels were used in the NFT system with 16 or 20C solution temperature. Data were taken 28 days after the lettuce seedlings were transferred to the channels. No tipburn, bolting or other growing disorders were observed and high quality lettuce was effectively produced. The lettuce grown in the colder solution had significantly higher shoot fresh weight at 137 g compared to 128 g. The root fresh weight increased with more than 2 g using a solution of 16C. Shoot dry weight was also higher at the lower temperature although the root dry weight was similar at 2.1 g. The relationship between shoot dry and shoot fresh weights suggests lettuce grown with the colder solution had slightly more leaf dry matter on a relative basis. Considering the observed root dry and root fresh weights on the other hand, the 20C solution supported the growth of a higher share of
root dry matter. The ratio between root dry and root fresh weights was calculated to 7.2 percent at 20C compared to the 6.7 percent at 16C. A larger proportion dry weight was also partitioned to the roots in the lettuce grown in the 20C solution. The percent root dry weight was approximately 30 percent at the higher temperature and 28 percent at 16C. Lettuce grown with the warmer nutrient solution averaged two more leaves although this was not significantly different from the 30 leaves at 16C. Despite a similar number of leaves, larger total plant leaf area (1,922 square cm) was observed at 16C than the 1,903 square cm at 20C. The height and width differed approximately 2 cm between the two regimes, and the overall plant size was significantly larger in the 16C regime. The height was 11.0 cm and the width 24.2 cm for plants grown at 20C while at 16C, the plants were 12.6 cm tall and 25.6 wide. The roots were on average 39.6 cm long in the 16C solution but the 20C solution resulted in
10.2 cm shorter roots. In this study, the root system of plants grown in the lower solution temperature was observed to be longer and relatively un-branched compared to the warmer solution. The results suggest a cooler nutrient solution may counter above optimum air temperature for overall good growth and development of the lettuce Nevada. The choice of cultivar is however critical as some lettuce selections are more sensitive responding with poor slow growth to above optimum air temperatures.
PARTICIPANTS: Meriam Karlsson, Professor of Horticulture, project manager; Jeff Werner, Research Professional; Terry Marsh, Research Associate; Yosuke Okada, B.S. Student; Chena Hot Springs Resort, Collaborator, Pike's Waterfront Lodge, Collaborator
TARGET AUDIENCES: Owners, managers and employees of local greenhouse and other horticulture operations and businesses; individuals considering potential horticulture production ventures; students at secondary and post-secondary levels including undergraduate and graduate students; initial and continuing training opportunities for the local workforce of horticulture operations.
Impacts
Maintaining suitable greenhouse air temperatures can be difficult during periods of hot summer weather. Instead of cooling the air, lowering the temperature of the nutrient solution is an effective approach for continuous high rate of hydroponic lettuce production. Therefore to sustain growth in hydroponic systems during heat waves, a cooler nutrient solution is an effective local greenhouse strategy.
Publications
- Okada, Y. 2007. Solution temperature and growth of lettuce in a nutrient film technique system. Bachelor of Science Senior Thesis. School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences. University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Karlsson, M.G., Advisor)
|
|