Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project focused on applied research to develop protocols for producing and marketing horticultural crops and specialty grains. Products included 33 new and 98 revised fact sheets, which provide information on production of numerous crops, as well as marketing systems. Results and other information are disseminated via the Crop Diversification & Biofuel Research & Education Center (formerly New Crop Opportunities Center) Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/CDBREC. Information has been disseminated at the: Robinson Center Field Days (Quicksand); Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy meeting (Bowling Green); Horticulture Research Farm Field Days (Lexington); Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meetings (Lexington); KY Turfgrass and Landscape Short Course (Louisville); Central KY Ornamental and Turf Association Annual Conference (Lexington); Agricultural & Applied Economics Association's Annual Meeting (Pittsburgh); and at events around KY. Information was in the form of presentations, research reports, and fact sheets. The audience included farmers and extension agents. In an Evaluation of Natural Sprays for Control of Economically Important Foliar and Fruit Diseases of Tomato and Cucurbits project, five essential oils, three bicarbonate salts, eight commercial products and chitosan were tested to investigate their potential disease control against the pathogen causing anthracnose of cucumber (Colletotrichum orbiculare). Antifungal activity was evaluated to measure mycelial growth. In an onion project, a trial was conducted to determine the impact of set size and variety on yield of spring onion. A plasticulture system was used. Three varieties, 'Forum,' 'Talon,' and 'Sherman,' were selected. Sets were planted according to diameter: 10-14, 14-17, 17-21, and 21-24 mm. In an irrigation project, five tensiometer-based, automated irrigation treatments were tested for tomato grown in a Maury silt loam soil in 2009 and 2010. Irrigation treatments consisted of paired-tensiometer systems with on/off setpoints of -30/-10, -30/-25, -45/-10, and -45/40 kPa in 2009 and 2010, and a single-tensiometer system with setpoints of -35 kPa in 2009 and -40 kPa in 2010. In 2009, the pulsed systems (-30/-25, -45/-40, and -35 kPa) irrigated more frequently but for a shorter duration than non-pulsed systems (-30/-10 and -45/ -10 kPa). An Annualized Perennial Production project began in 2009 with production of select first year flowering perennials from seed. More than 20 varieties of perennials can be produced from seed in KY without supplemental lighting. Landscape trials of these began in 2009, with trials of more than 100 varieties conducted in subsequent years. In an edamame (green vegetable soybean) project, a whole farm planning, resource allocation modeling technique was used to compare production of organic corn/soybeans or edamame on 200 acres. Mechanical harvesting with a green bean picker was assumed, with a yield loss of 25%, and conventional tillage and cover cropping weed management systems were compared. A hulless and hulled barley grain yield study looked at what level of nitrogen fertility barley yields can be maximized using a nitrogen response curve. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Houtz is the principal investigator on the project. Principal investigators and co-principal investigators on specific research projects are Doug Archbold, Mike Bomford, Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, Tim Coolong, Seth DeBolt, Carl Dillon, Larry Grabau, Greg Halich, Wuyang Hu, Mike Montross, Todd Pfeiffer, David Van Sanford, Rebecca Schnelle, Kenny Seebold, Jordan Shockley, S. Ray Smith, John Strang, Paul Vincelli, Richard Warner, Mark Williams, and Timothy Woods. Others who worked on the project are research farm technician Ryan Hays, Crop Diversification & Biofuel Research & Education Center (formerly New Crop Opportunities Center) coordinator Christy Cassady, extension associate Miranda Hileman, extension associate Cheryl Kaiser, extension associate Kevin Heidemann, research analyst Lucas Hanks, senior laboratory technician Laura Harris, and freelance agricultural economist Matt Ernst. This project involves the training and professional development of two graduate students and 16 undergraduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the New Crop Opportunities, Phase X project are extension agents in horticulture and agriculture and natural resources, and farmers seeking information about the production and marketing of horticultural and 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 is targeting farmers looking for alternative crops to replace lost income from tobacco, and farmers looking to enhance their enterprises by improving production and marketing techniques. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
In the Evaluation of Natural Sprays project, bicarbonate salts showed more than 50% inhibition, while Bordeaux, Kocide 2000 and SoilGard 12G provided more than 70% inhibition in vitro. Horticultural lime sulfur completely inhibited spore germination at 2.5 ppm. Chitosan showed more than 65% inhibition. In vivo, NH4HCO3, Serenade Max, Bordeaux, Kocide 2000, SoilGard 12G, horticultural lime sulfur and chitosan showed more than 85% control. None of the essential oils provided a significant reduction in disease development. Results suggest the potential use of several of these organically certifiable fungicides and natural compounds to help control anthracnose in cucurbits. In three experiments on tomato, copper-based products showed the best results. In the onion project, the incidence of two diseases, sour skin and center rot, increased significantly due to unusually warm weather. Other fungal diseases such as purple blotch were prevalent due to wet spring weather. High disease pressure led to significant loss in the field. The percentage of loss was not significantly affected by cultivar or set size. Typical yields for KY growers using plasticulture range from 25,000-30,000 lbs/acre; in this study, yields were roughly one-half to one-third of that. 'Talon' was the highest yielding variety, with much of the yield coming from a large number of medium size bulbs. The percentage of loss of 'Talon' due to disease was less than the other varieties. Average bulb size was greatest for 'Forum' and lowest for 'Sherman.' In the irrigation project, soil moisture measurements in 2009 suggested that probes set at a depth of 6 inches were more closely matched to irrigation setpoints than those at 12 inches. In both years, the -45/-40 kPa setpoint treatment used the least amount of water while maintaining total marketable yields not significantly different from other treatments. Yields were significantly higher in 2009 than 2010, though atypical air temperatures in 2010 may have been the cause. An automated, soil moisture-based irrigation system maintained yields and saved water when compared with a non-pulsed system using similar setpoints. Results of the perennials project are online at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/trialgarden/gardenhome.html. In the edamame project, conventional tillage was preferred economically over cover cropping to manage weeds. A market price of $.37/lb was required to switch from soybeans to edamame. The potential impact could be significant for KY farmers if the market price for organic edamame is favorable. In the barley project, yields for all 4 varieties were maximized with a single spring nitrogen application rate of 80 lbs/acre. Growers can substantially reduce production costs when compared with the current practice of 2 applications, using a total of 120 lbs N/A. If excessive N is not being used by the plant, it will likely find its way into ground water and stream runoff, a serious environmental issue. Barley provides a winter cover crop that scavenges residual N from the previous corn crop and reduces soil erosion between corn and soybeans.
Publications
- Shockley, J., Dillon, C., and Woods, T. 2011. Estimating the Economic Viability of a New Crop Alternative for the U.S. Organic Market: Edamame - A Vegetable Soybean. Poster prepared for presentation at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association 2011 AAEA & NAREA Joint Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 24-26, 2011. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/103709/1/12809.pdf
- Woods, T., Ernst, M., and Heidemann, K. 2012. 2012 Kentucky Produce Planting and Marketing Intentions Grower Survey and Outlook. http://www.uky.edu/ag/CDBREC/plantingsurvey2012.pdf
- Bruening, B., et al. 2011. 2011 Kentucky Small Grain Variety Performance Test. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress Report, PR-623, p 22. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/pr/pr623/pr623.pdf
- Bruening, B., et al. 2012. 2012 Kentucky Small Grain Variety Performance Test. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress Report, PR-640, p 5. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/pr/pr640/pr640.pdf
- Coolong, T. 2011. An Evaluation of Onion Varieties and Set Size. UK Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Report PR-626: 26-28.
- Coolong, T., Snyder, J., Warner, R., Strang, J., and Surendran, S. 2012. The relationship between soil water potential, environmental factors, and plant moisture status for poblano pepper grown using tensiometer-scheduled irrigation. International Journal of Vegetable Science 18(2): 137-152.
- Coolong, T., Surendran, S., and Warner, R. 2011. Evaluation of Irrigation Threshold and Duration for Tomato Grown in Silt Loam Soil. HortTechnology, 21(4): 466-473.
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Progress 08/15/10 to 08/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project focuses on applied research to develop protocols for producing and marketing horticultural crops and specialty grains. Products include nine new and 30 revised crop profiles, which provide information on marketing, production, and profit potential, as well as four new and five revised marketing profiles, which offer information about marketing systems. Results and other information are disseminated via the Crop Diversification & Biofuel Research & Education Center (formerly New Crop Opportunities Center) Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/CDBREC. Information has been disseminated at the: Robinson Center Field Day (Quicksand); Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy meeting (Bowling Green); Horticulture Research Farm Field Day (Lexington); Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meeting (Lexington); and at field days and producer meetings around the state. Information was in the form of presentations, research reports, and crop profiles. The audience included farmers and extension agents. In an Evaluation of Natural Sprays for Control of Economically Important Foliar and Fruit Diseases of Tomato and Cucurbits project, five essential oils, three bicarbonate salts, eight commercial products and chitosan were tested to investigate their potential disease control against the pathogen causing anthracnose of cucumber (Colletotrichum orbiculare). Antifungal activity was evaluated to measure mycelial growth. Treated plants were inoculated, and disease severity was recorded using Assess Image Analysis Quantification Software 2.0. In an onion production project, a trial was conducted to determine the impact of set size and variety on yield of spring onion. Growing onions from sets is uncommon in Kentucky and there is little information available regarding performance of available varieties as well as the impact of onion set size on yield. A plasticulture production system was used as many onion growers utilize plastic mulches. Three varieties of onion sets, 'Forum,' 'Talon,' and 'Sherman,' were selected. Sets from each variety were planted according to size (diameter): 10-14, 14-17, 17-21, and 21-24 mm. A hulless and hulled barley grain yield study builds on the findings of a previous project involving hulless barley and nitrogen fertility. The previous project showed that barley can achieve maximum yield potential at substantially lower nitrogen fertilizer rates than are currently recommended. The current study has been looking more precisely at what level of nitrogen fertility barley yields can be maximized using a more detailed nitrogen response curve. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Houtz is the principal investigator on the project. Principal investigators and co-principal investigators on specific research projects are Doug Archbold, Mike Bomford, Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, Tim Coolong, Seth DeBolt, Carl Dillon, Larry Grabau, Greg Halich, Wuyang Hu, Mike Montross, Todd Pfeiffer, David Van Sanford, Rebecca Schnelle, Kenny Seebold, Jordan Shockley, S. Ray Smith, John Strang, Paul Vincelli, Richard Warner, Mark Williams, and Timothy Woods. Others who worked on the project are research farm technician Ryan Hays, Crop Diversification & Biofuel Research & Education Center (formerly New Crop Opportunities Center) coordinator Christy Cassady, extension associate Sara Williamson, extension associate Miranda Hileman, extension associate Cheryl Kaiser, research analyst Lucas Hanks, and senior laboratory technician Laura Harris. This project involves the training and professional development of two graduate students and 16 undergraduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the New Crop Opportunities, Phase X project are extension agents in horticulture and agriculture and natural resources, and farmers seeking information about the production and marketing of horticultural and 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 is targeting farmers looking for alternative crops to replace lost income from tobacco, and farmers looking to enhance their enterprises by improving production and marketing techniques. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
In the Evaluation of Natural Sprays project, bicarbonate salts showed more than 50% inhibition, while Bordeaux, Kocide 2000 and SoilGard 12G provided more than 70% inhibition in vitro. Horticultural lime sulfur completely inhibited spore germination at 2.5 ppm. Chitosan showed more than 65% inhibition. In vivo, NH4HCO3, Serenade Max, Bordeaux, Kocide 2000, SoilGard 12G, horticultural lime sulfur and chitosan showed more than 85% disease control. None of the essential oils provided a significant reduction in disease development. These results suggest that there is potential for use of several of these organically certifiable fungicides and natural compounds as part of a management program to control anthracnose disease in cucurbits. Also, three field experiments on tomato were completed and copper-based products showed the best results in all experiments. In the onion project, the incidence of two bacterial diseases, sour skin (Burkholderia cepacia) and center rot (Pantoea ananatis), normally of minor importance, increased significantly due to unusually warm weather. Other fungal diseases such as purple blotch (Alternaria porri) were prevalent due to wet spring weather. The high disease pressure resulted in significant loss in the field. The high percentage of loss observed was almost entirely due to disease. The percentage of loss was not significantly affected by either cultivar or set size, and there was no interaction between the two variables and bulbs not harvested due to disease. Total marketable yields were lower than expected. Typical yields for Kentucky onion growers using a similar plasticulture production system generally range from 25,000-30,000 pounds per acre; in this study, yields were roughly one-half to one-third of that. 'Talon' was the highest yielding variety, with much of the yield coming from a relatively large number of medium size bulbs. Although not significant, the percentage of loss of 'Talon' due to disease was less than the other varieties and it is likely that this led to significantly higher yields. Average bulb size was greatest for 'Forum' and lowest for 'Sherman.' In the barley project, yields for all four varieties tested were maximized with a single spring nitrogen application rate of 80 lbs/acre. Growers can substantially reduce barley production costs when compared with the current practice of 2 applications, using a total of 120 lbs N/A. If excessive N is not being used by the plant, it will likely find its way into ground water and stream runoff, a serious environmental issue. This research has the potential to decrease the input costs for barley production and provide environmental benefits. It is important for growers in Kentucky, where winter barley production offers a source of early summer income and provides a financial hedge against uncertain environmental conditions, such as drought, affecting corn and soybean production. From an environmental standpoint, barley production provides a winter cover crop that naturally scavenges residual N fertilizer from the previous corn crop and reduces soil erosion between corn and soybean crops.
Publications
- Feliciano-Rivera, M. 2011. Efficacy of organically certifiable materials and natural compounds against foliar hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic fungi in cantaloupe and tomato. Doctoral Dissertations. Paper 225. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/225
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Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project focuses on applied research to develop protocols for producing and marketing horticultural crops and specialty grains. Products include six new and 45 revised crop profiles, which provide information on marketing, production, and profit potential of various crops. Results and other information are disseminated via the New Crop Opportunities Center Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops. Information has been disseminated at: the Horticulture Research Farm Field Day (Lexington); the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meeting (Lexington); the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability Field Day (Jackson); and at producer meetings throughout the state. Information was in the form of presentations, research reports, and crop profiles. The audience included farmers and extension agents. In an onion production system project, a trial was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington during the spring and summer of 2010. Nine onion varieties were tested in raised beds covered with black plastic mulch with two lines of drip tape. Plants were harvested on July 23. Yield data were calculated based on a plant population of 53,612 plants/acre (spacing used in this study). In a Marketing Nutrition for Kentucky Produce project, thorny and thornless blackberries, black raspberries, red raspberries, yellow raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and table grapes were harvested from cultivar trial plots at the Horticulture Research Farm. All plots were managed by conventional techniques. In 2009, 'Caroline' red raspberries were also harvested from both the open field and under a Haygrove tunnel on the certified organic section of the Research Farm. In 2010, strawberries were harvested from the field of a Lexington-area berry grower. Total phenolics and anthocyanins were measured, as was antioxidant activity. The Annualized Perennial Production: An Untapped Opportunity for Kentucky's Greenhouse Growers project was initiated in 2009 with production of select first year flowering perennials from seed. More than 20 varieties of perennials have been identified that can be produced from seed in Kentucky without supplemental lighting for the spring garden market. Landscape trials of these promising varieties began in 2009. In both 2009 and 2010, more than 100 varieties were trialed in the greenhouse and the landscape. Field days were held in Lexington in 2009 and 2010. Results were presented at the Kentucky Turfgrass and Landscape Short Course in Louisville, and at the Central Kentucky Ornamental and Turf Association Annual Conference in Lexington in 2010. Results have also been disseminated online at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/trialgarden/gardenhome.html A hulless and hulled barley grain yield study builds on the findings of a previous project involving hulless barley and nitrogen fertility. The previous project showed that barley can achieve maximum yield potential at substantially lower nitrogen fertilizer rates than are currently recommended. The current study looks more precisely at what level of nitrogen fertility barley yields can be maximized using a more detailed nitrogen response curve. PARTICIPANTS: Robert Houtz was the principal investigator on the project. Principal investigators and co-principal investigators on specific research projects were Doug Archbold, Mike Bomford, Bill Bruening, Anthony Clark, Tim Coolong, Seth DeBolt, Carl Dillon, Larry Grabau, Greg Halich, Wuyang Hu, Mike Montross, Todd Pfeiffer, David Van Sanford, Rebecca Schnelle, Kenny Seebold, Jordan Shockley, S. Ray Smith, John Strang, Paul Vincelli, Richard Warner, Mark Williams, and Timothy Woods. Others who worked on the project are research farm technician Ryan Hays, horticulture technician Amy Poston, New Crop Opportunities Center coordinator Christy Cassady, extension associate Sara Williamson, extension associate Miranda Hileman, extension associate Cheryl Kaiser, research analyst Lucas Hanks, and senior laboratory technician Laura Harris. This project involves the training and professional development of two graduate students and 16 undergraduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the New Crop Opportunities, Phase X project are extension agents in horticulture and agriculture and natural resources, and farmers seeking information about the production and marketing of horticultural and 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 is targeting farmers looking for alternative crops to replace lost income from tobacco, and farmers looking to enhance their enterprises by improving production and marketing techniques. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Fresh market onions are a potentially lucrative crop for KY. The 2010 season was challenging for onion growers. The incidence of two bacterial diseases, sour skin (Burkholderia cepacia) and center rot (Pantoea ananatis) increased significantly due to unusually warm weather. Fungal diseases such as purple blotch (Alternaria porri) were prevalent due to wet spring weather. Despite regularly scheduled sprays, this trial was heavily impacted by sour skin. Total marketable yields were lower than expected. Red Wing, Red Beauty, and Red Burgermaster produced the highest marketable yields. Mars and Red Burgermaster produced primarily large bulbs with 5,224 and 4,296 pounds of large bulbs per acre, respectively. Both Red Wing and Red Beauty were noteworthy for producing round bulbs, with Red Wing having a particularly hard outer skin, likely making it suitable for storage. Percentages of bulbs culled ranged from 40% to 65%. This was likely due more to disease pressure than from inadequacies of these varieties. In the nutrition study, black raspberries had the highest phenolic and anthocyanin content among the brambles. These were followed by blackberries, red raspberries, and yellow raspberries. Both black raspberries and blackberries generally had the highest antioxident activities. 'Caroline' red raspberry showed similar values for phytochemical traits whether from conventional, organic, or tunnel production. All blueberries had high phenolic and anthocyanin content. The values were generally equal to or higher than those for black raspberries and blackberries. Antioxidant activities varied among cultivars. 'NC1827' stood out with high phenolic and anthocyanin content and the highest antioxidant activity. Strawberry cultivars showed a range in phenolic and anthocyanin content. The anthocyanin content was similar to that for red raspberries. Total antioxidant activity was lower than for most brambles and blueberries. Locally grown 'Camerosa' and 'Sweet Charlie' strawberries had greater phytochemical content than strawberries purchased at local retailers. Antioxidant activities did not differ between the two groups. Grapes with higher phenolic and anthocyanin content also had higher antioxidant content. Overall, antioxidant activities were comparable to strawberry and lower than most brambles and blueberries. Results of the perennial project show many varieties marketed as first year flowering may produce a few flowers but are far from first year blooming. This information helps growers select the best crops. In the barley project, yields for all 4 varieties tested were maximized with a single spring nitrogen application rate of 80 lbs/acre. Growers can substantially reduce barley production costs compared to the current practice of two applications, using a total of 120 lbs N/A. Excessive N could find its way into ground water and stream runoff. Winter barley production offers a source of early summer income, and provides a financial hedge against uncertain environmental conditions affecting corn and soybeans. Barley provides a winter cover crop that scavenges residual nitrogen fertilizer from the previous corn crop and reduces soil erosion.
Publications
- Bruening, B., et al. 2010. 2010 Kentucky Small Grain Variety Performance Test. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress Report, PR-604, p 14. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/pr/pr604/pr604.pdf
- Coolong, T., Hanks, L., and Pfeiffer, J. 2010. Kentucky Red Onion Variety Trial 2010. UK Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Report (in press).
- Schnelle, R. 2009. Kentucky statewide bedding plant trial garden program. Nursery Views, Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association. November, 2009.
- Schnelle, R. 2010. Annualized Perennials for Kentucky: Report on 2009-2010 Selections. UK Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report (in press).
- Archbold, D., Roy, S., Strang, J., Poston, A., and Smigell, C. 2010. Kentucky-grown Berry Crops are Rich Sources of Health-beneficial Phytochemicals. UK Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Report (in press).
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