Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field Days were held in June for the general public and in July focusing on results of organic production research. These included the results of adjustments of findings of the impacts of organic and conventional techniques for traditional and alternative vegetable crops. Continued emphasis was on work to extend crop production and harvest periods throughout the school year to extend the harvest dates of tomatoes and leafy greens. Efficacy of organic approved foliar disease control products and organic compatible weed control products were presented concerning both positive and negative aspects of treatments during the short period of season extension. Organic workshops and field tours for farmers and field days for the general public included hand-outs describing research efforts and visits to the actual research plots. The field tours included demonstrations of growing practices, disease control, insect control, water management through drip irrigation, and cost/benefit relationships of practices. PARTICIPANTS: Merritt Taylor, Agricultural Economist - co-investigator with focus on production budgets and economics, Jim Shrefler, Area Horticulturist - co-investigator with focus on weeds and outreach Warren Roberts, Vegetable Specialist - co-investigator with focus on soils and vegetable production. Other Participants: Tony Goodson, Agricultural Technician with focus on weeds and organic land management. Wyatt O'Hern, Agricultural Technician with focus on vegetable production and soil management. Harold Stephens, Atoka County Extension Educator - assisted with coordinating outreach events. Tom Smith, Pushmataha County Extension Educator - assisted with coordinating outreach events. Partner Organizations: USDA-ARS, Wes Watkin Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane , OK.; Charles Webber III, Agronomist (Weed Science) - cooperating scientist, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture; David Redhage, Agriculture Economist - assisted with outreach event coordination, George Kuepper, Organic Agriculture Consultant - assisted with organic treatments and outreach coordination, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; Chris Kirby - assisted with farm to school programs and outreach, Micah Anderson - assisted with demonstrations of the benefits of plastic mulch. Noble Foundation; Steve Upson - assisted with hoop house design and management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences were: Existing and potential organic and non-organic food crop producers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and surrounding areas. This included commercial farms, market garden, and farm market producers as well as farmers growing for the Oklahoma Farm to School program. Others interested in the project activities included Master Gardeners and home gardeners, as well as consumers who were interested in a safe and sustainable food production system. Opportunities were provided for training and professional development as an in-service training for Oklahoma Agricultural Extension Educators, USDA field personnel (NRCS and FSA) and other agricultural outreach professionals (e.g. Langston University). Specific training events included the annual Oklahoma Vegetable Production and Marketing Educational Meeting, annual training on Enhancing the Adoption of Organic Agriculture Training, Oklahoma Annual Small Farm Conference, and the annual Bi-State (Arkansas & Oklahoma) Horticultural Industry Show. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Producers and processors considering going through the rigorous process of obtaining organic certification have utilized information generated by this project. Much of the credit for the growth of certified organic vegetables growers and non-certified natural vegetable growers in Oklahoma can be attributed to the scientific credibility of the unbiased research and demonstration plot work implemented from this project at the Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Lane, Oklahoma. Certified organic producers and processors in Oklahoma have increased from 26 in 2006 to 191 in 2012, which is a 634 percent increase in six years. An even larger group of non-certified growers produce vegetables using organic production practices and market their products in farmers markets and other venues as "naturally grown. The number of farmers markets has grown from 12 in 2003 to over 100 in 2011 as growers have adopted successful production techniques tested at the Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center to satisfy the growing consumer demand for horticultural products that are fresh, naturally matured, and produced with fewer synthetic chemicals. Producers have learned cultural techniques that have allowed them to conserve water, reduce erosion and reduce weed control costs as well as market vegetables that are visually acceptable and nutritiously competitive. Utilizing season extension techniques developed from the funding of this grant producers have been able to provide a continuing flow of marketable produce past previous farmer's market sale dates.
Publications
- Roberts, Warren, Jeff Anderson, Jim Shrefler, and Merritt Taylor, Hot Summers: Tips and Techniques to Help Your Crop Survive, Proceedings of 31st Annual Bi-State Horticultural Industry Show, Tulsa, OK January 7, 2012.
- Shrefler, J., W. Roberts and M. Taylor. 2012. Row Cover use Evaluation on Yellow Squash Over Several Planting Dates. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Horticultural Industry Show. Tulsa, OK. January 6, 2012.
- Merritt Taylor, James Shrefler, Warren Roberts, Goal Setting, Resource Inventory, and Basics of Marketing Fruits and Vegetables, Oklahoma Market Garden Training Program, Chickasha, OK, January 17, 2012.
- Shrefler, J., C. Webber, L. Brandenberger, T. Goodson, W. Roberts, and M. Taylor, Pre-emergence Weed Control in Watermelon, 2011, Lane Ag Center, Lane, OK., 2011 OSU Vegetable Weed Trial Report, 2012.
- Taylor, Merritt J., Charles L. Webber III, Angela Davis, and James W. Shrefler, Mulching Methods Impact on Herb Production and Weed Control in Organic Production System, Seventh International IPM Symposium - IPM on the World Stage, Memphis, TN. March 27, 2012.
- Ali, A., O. Abdalla, B. Bruton, W. Fish, E. Sikora, S. Zhang, and M. Taylor. 2012, Occurrence of viruses infecting watermelon, other cucurbits and weeds in the part of southern United States, Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2012-0824-01-RS.
- Shrefler, J., L. Brandenberger, B. Kahn, W. Roberts, M. Taylor, J. Laughlin, S. Upson, C. Rohla, Evaluation of winter production of leafy greens in high tunnels: A comparison of results for mild and cold winters, ASHS, Miami, FL, August 4, 2012.
- Snider, J., V. Russo, W. Roberts, E. Wann, R. Raper, Cultural and environmental factors governing tomato production: Local production under elevated temperatures, Hort. Science Vol 47(8) August, 2012.
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Progress 08/15/10 to 08/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research involving the development of organic and conventional techniques to extend crop production and harvest periods throughout the school year were conducted to extend the harvest dates of tomatoes and leafy greens. Efficacy of organic approved foliar disease control products and organic compatible weed control products were evaluated to determine the most effective during the short period of season extension. Organic workshops and field tours for farmers and field days for the general public included hand-outs describing research efforts and visits to the actual research plots. PARTICIPANTS: Merritt Taylor, Agricultural Economist - co-investigator with focus on production budgets and economics, Jim Shrefler, Area Horticulturist - co-investigator with focus on weeds and outreach Warren Roberts, Vegetable Specialist - co-investigator with focus on soils and vegetable production. Other Participants: Tony Goodson, Agricultural Technician with focus on weeds and organic land management. Wyatt O'Hern, Agricultural Technician with focus on vegetable production and soil management. Harold Stephens, Atoka County Extension Educator - assisted with coordinating outreach events. Tom Smith, Pushmataha County Extension Educator - assisted with coordinating outreach events. Partner Organizations: USDA-ARS, South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory (Name changed to Wes Watkins Agricultural Research Laboratory) Lane , OK.; Charles Webber III, Agronomist (Weed Science) - cooperating scientist, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture; David Redhage, Agriculture Economist - assisted with outreach event coordination, George Kuepper, Organic Agriculture Consultant - assisted with organic treatments and outreach coordination, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; Chris Kirby - assisted with farm to school programs and outreach, Noble Foundation; Steve Upson - assisted with hoop house design and management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences were: Existing and potential organic and non-organic food crop producers in Oklahoma and surrounding areas. This included commercial farms, market garden, and farm market producers as well as farmers growing for the Oklahoma Farm to School program. Others interested in the project activities included Master Gardeners and home gardeners, as well as consumers who were interested in a safe and sustainable food production system. Opportunities were provided for training and professional development as an in-service training for Oklahoma Agricultural Extension Educators, USDA field personnel (NRCS and FSA) and other agricultural outreach professionals (e.g. Langston University). Specific training events included the annual Oklahoma Cucurbit Production and Marketing Educational Meetings PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The comparison of the efficacy of disease, insect, and weed control techniques using both organic and conventional techniques enable growers attempting to enhance and extend crop production and harvest throughout the school year to be aware of the limitations associated with the organically approved techniques. Growers were interested in the results obtained to date. An example was that organic approved fungicide products were found to be somewhat effective but were not found to be useful as general replacement technologies for synthetic fungicides commonly used. Based on this information growers will know not to expect the broad spectrum foliar disease prevention from organic products that is obtained from synthetic products.
Publications
- Shrefler, J., M. Taylor, W. Roberts and B. Bruton. 2010. Fungicides for organic melon production in Oklahoma: an initial assessment. Cucurbitaceae 2002. pp 252-258. (Reviewed Proceedings).
- Webber, C.L. III, Brandenberger, L.P., Shrefler, J.W., Taylor, M.J., Carrier, L.K., and Shannon, D.K. 2011. Weed Control Efficacy with Ammonium Nonanoate for Organic Vegetable Production. International Journal of Vegetable Science. 17(1) 37-44
- Webber, C.L. III, J.W. Shrefler and M.J. Taylor. 2010. Influence of Corn Gluten Meal on Squash Plant Survival and Yields. Hort. Tech. 20(4) 696-699.
- Taylor, Merritt, James Shrefler, Warren Roberts, "Maintaining Quality Research With Reduced Funding", Research Center Administrators Society (RCAS) Annual Conference, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS), Corpus Christi, Texas, February 5-9, 2011
- Shrefler, J. T. Goodson, W. Roberts and M. Taylor. 2011. Strawberry establishment and varieties for hoop house production. Proc. 30th Ann. Hort. Industry Show. Fort Smith, AR.
- Shrefler, J., C. Webber, W. Roberts and M. Taylor. 2011. Comparison of weed management options for organic muskmelon production. Proc. 30th Ann. Hort. Industry Show. Fort Smith, AR.
- Roberts, W., J. Shrefler, M. Taylor, and C. Webber. 2010. Cover Crops and Vegetable Rotations. Proc. 29th Ann. Hort. Ind. Show. Pp. 148-151.
- Roberts, W. and W. OHern. 2010. Cover Crops, Southern Peas, and Sweet Corn-2010. 2010 Vegetable Trial Report. OSU-HLA. MP-164. P.3.
- Roberts, W. and W. OHern. 2010. Organic Corn (Golden Bantam)-2009.2010 Vegetable Trial Report. OSU-HLA. MP-164.P.5.
- Roberts, W. and W. OHern. 2010. Cherry Tomato Cultivar Trial 2010 Vegetable Trial Report-2010. OSU-HLA. MP-164. P.16.
- Roberts, W. and W. OHern. 2010. Organic Cherry Tomato Cultivar Trial and Cover Evaluation-2010. 2010 Vegetable Trial Report. OSU-HLA. MP-164. P.17.
- Zhang, H., L. Brandenberger, and W. Roberts. 2010. Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations for Vegetable Crops. Proc. 29th Ann. Hort. Ind. Show. Pp 152-155.
- Webber, C., W. Roberts, M. Taylor, and J. Shrefler. 2010. Micronized Compost as an Organic Amendment for Soil Media. Proc. 29th Ann. Hort. Ind Show. Pp 160-162.
- Webber, C.L. III and Roberts, B.W. 2010. Organic Greenhouse Soil Media + Supplemental Fertilizer = Better Organic Tomato Transplants. Proc. 29th Ann. Hort. Ind. Show. Pp.163-164.
- Shrefler, J., L. Brandenberger, M. Taylor, and W. Roberts. 2010. Yield Response of Okra to Transplanting. HortScience. 45(4): 517
- Roberts, W., J. Shrefler, M. Taylor, and C. Webber. 2010. Soil Changes after Four Years of Organic Vegetable Production. HortScience 45(4):516-517
- Shrefler, J.W., B. Bain, C. Russell and H. Stephens. 2010. Watermelon Foliar Diseases: Sighting in on a Moving Target. Poster presentation at the 2010 National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Shrefler, J., L. Brandenberger, M. Taylor, and W. Roberts. 2010. Yield Response of Okra to Transplanting. HortScience. SR-ASHS. Orlando, Fl. February 6-9.
- Webber, C. L., III, J. Shrefler, L. P. Brandenberger. 2011. Post directed Application of a Potential Organic herbicide for Bell Peppers. 2010 Vegetable Weed Control Studies. MP-162. Dept. of Hort. and Landscape Arch.,Okla. State Univ.
- Shrefler, J., C. Webber III, M. Taylor and W. Roberts. 2011. Organic weed control for cantaloupe methods comparison trial. 2010 Vegetable Weed Control Studies. MP-162. Dept. of Hort. and Landscape Arch., Okla. State Univ.
- Webber, C. L., III, J. Shrefler, L. P. Brandenberger. 2011. Scythe (pelargonic acid) Weed Control in Peppers. 2010 Vegetable Weed Control Studies. MP-162. Dept. of Hort. and Landscape Arch., Okla. State Univ.
- Webber, C. L., III, A. R. Davis, and J. Shrefler, 2011. Mulching Methods for Weed Control in a Certified Organic production System. 2010 Vegetable Weed Control Studies. MP-162. Dept. of Hort. and Landscape Arch., Okla. State Univ
- Shrefler, J. 2010. 2009 Vegetable Trial Report. Watermelon disease management. MP-164, Dept. of Hort. and Landscape Arch., Okla. State Univ.
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Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Ten cultivars of small "bite-sized" tomatoes were trellised and either pruned or not pruned. The indeterminants yielded only 56% of the determinant cultivars. In general, the pruned cultivars yielded less than did the non-pruned cultivars. Only three of ten cultivars responded positively to pruning. With the indeterminant cultivars, the pruned plants yielded only 48% of the determinant cultivars. With the determinant cultivars, five of eight cultivars had higher yields when not pruned. In another study, eight cover crops (hairy vetch, crimson clover, yellow clover, arrowleaf clover, rye, wheat, oats, ryegrass) were sown in the fall of 2009. In the spring of 2010, each plot was tilled and then planted with three crops (sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and southern peas). Sweet potatoes were not harvested due to insufficient plant survival. With southern peas, yields following grass cover crops were as good as or better than yields following legume cover crops. The highest yields were obtained when southern peas followed oats or wheat cover crops. With sweet corn, legume cover crops did improve yield over the grass cover crops. The highest yield was obtained when sweet corn followed arrowleaf clover as a cover crop. In another study, an organic fertilizer experiment was conducted with sweet corn (Golden Bantam cv.) Seven different substances were used at different combinations and rates to obtain ten different organic fertilizer treatments. Organic fertilizers used included cotton seed meal, bone meal, potash, corn gluten, rock phosphate, alfalfa meal, and poultry litter. With one exception (poultry litter), all of the treatment combinations contained 100 lbs/acre nitrogen (N), 50 lbs/acre P2O5, and 200 lbs/acre K2O. The poultry litter treatment contained 100 lbs/acre of N, P2O5 and K2O. The best yielding treatment combinations included corn gluten, bone meal, and potash. The next best treatment included alfalfa meal, corn gluten, and potash. Poultry litter was the lowest yielding treatment. In another study, two cultivars of cherry tomatoes were grown organically in either plastic covered hoop houses or uncovered bare soil plots. Tomatoes grown in the uncovered plots yielded only 58% as much as the tomatoes grown inside the hoop houses. The Washington Cherry cultivar yielded only 54% as much as the Baxter's Early Bush Cultivar. An organic workshop and field day was held in 2010. The event included a "train the trainer" session and a workshop and field tour for growers. The train the trainer session targeted Extension Educators, USDA field personnel and others involved in grower training. The grower session addressed pest management related topics including weed management, disease prevention and insect integrated pest management (IPM) for fruits and vegetables. PARTICIPANTS: Jim Shrefler, Area Horticulturist - co-investigator with focus on weeds and outreach; Warren Roberts, Vegetable Specialist - co-investigator with focus on soils and vegetable production; Merritt Taylor, Agricultural Economist - co-investigator with focus on production budgets and economics; Kefy Desta, Asst. Professor of sustainable agriculture - coordinates organic training events; Tony Goodson, Agricultural Technician with focus on weeds and organic land management; Wyatt O'Hern, Agricultural Technicial with focus on vegetable production and soil management; Harold Stephens, Atoka County Extension Educator - assists with coordinating outreach events; Tom Smith, Pushmataha County Extension Educator - assists with coordinating outreach events; Partner Organizations: USDA-ARS, South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane , OK; Charles Webber III, Agronomist (Weed Science) - cooperating scientist; Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture; David Redhage, Agriculture Economist - assists with outreach event coordination; George Kuepper, Organic Agriculture Consultant - assists with organic treatments and outreach coordination Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; Chris Kirby - assists with farm to school programs and outreach Noble Foundation; Steve Upson - assists with hoop house design and management; Oklahoma Agricultural Extension Educators; USDA field personnel (NRCS and FSA) and other agricultural outreach professionals (e.g. Langston University). TARGET AUDIENCES: Existing and potential organic and non-organic food crop producers in Oklahoma and surrounding areas. This includes commercial farms, market garden, and farm market producers as well as farmers growing for the Oklahoma Farm to School program. Others interested in the project activities include Master Gardeners and home gardeners, as well as consumers who are interested in a safe and sustainable food production system. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
An organic field day at WWAREC attracted approximately 100 people who were interested in organic vegetable production. A general field day (organic as well as conventional) was also held, which had approximately 1200 people in attendance. Studies are being conducted concerning organic production of small, bite-sized tomatoes that are well suited for fresh consumption in schools. Results of these studies are being presented to farmers, business personnel, and other agencies throughout Oklahoma. These studies will enable producers to select cultivars, disease control mechanisms, and fertility regimes of vegetables that are well suited to Oklahoma environmental conditions for both organic and conventional protocols. Results of this research will improve the feasibility of local food production systems, will improve the nutrition of local school diets, and will improve the economy of rural communities. This will insure that a safe and nutritious food supply can be produced using economical and environmentally safe methods. A special train the trainer organic workshop and field day was developed in response to the growing public interest in organic production practices. Participation included Extension Educators from Oklahoma State University, Agricultural Outreach personnel from Langston University, USDA field personnel and State Department of Agriculture personnel. In the grower session pest management topics including weed management, disease prevention and insect IPM for fruits and vegetables. In the weed and disease portions of the program recent results from research conducted in Oklahoma were presented. A guest speaker from the University of Arkansas presented information on IPM programs that can be applied to organic fruit and vegetable production.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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