Source: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE submitted to NRP
SUSTAINABLE TOMATO FERTILIZATION STRATEGIES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PRODUCTION AND WATER QUALITY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION.
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0221205
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2010
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2015
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
(N/A)
BLACKSBURG,VA 24061
Performing Department
Eastern Shore Agri Research & Ext Ctr
Non Technical Summary
Tomato production systems require large inputs of labor, irrigation, fertilizer, and cultivation that can lead to environmental stresses in sensitive watersheds. High value vegetable crops are vulnerable to over-fertilization and over-irrigation to ensure that nutrients and water are not limiting production factors since these components are relatively small in the overall production budget. Irrigation and fertilizer efficiency are linked in plastic mulch production systems since excessive irrigation reduces the efficiency of applied fertilizer. The irrigation wetting front moves soluble fertilizer sources out of the plant root zone and the nutrients are lost to the production system. As energy prices impact pumping and fertilizer costs and tighter restrictions are put on water use, growers need guidelines by which to model their irrigation and fertigation programs for greater efficiency and profit. Tomato production and environmental factors such as N use efficiency and groundwater quality need to be monitored and improved to ensure that Virginia production systems are sustainable agronomically and environmentally. Unprecedented fertilizer and energy prices give researchers the opportunity to help farmers change their production systems to increase input efficiency by using innovative technology and updating traditional fertilizer programs. Vegetable producers willingly adopt new production practices if sound scientific research is performed and implementation is demonstrated within the production area. We will implement two projects that will use various nitrogen fertilizer rates, nitrogen fertilizer application methods, and different irrigation regimes to measure their interaction on tomato yield. We will also monitor groundwater nutrient concentrations below the tomato root zone to see if soluble fertilizers are leaching into the groundwater.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1021460200025%
1025210200030%
1110210200025%
4051460200010%
4055210200010%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 405 - Drainage and Irrigation Systems and Facilities;

Subject Of Investigation
1460 - Tomato; 0210 - Water resources; 5210 - Fertilizers;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this research project is to determine if current Virginia Cooperative Extension Recommendations for fertilizer and irrigation management that were based on bare ground tomatoes are suitable in today's production systems. If current recommendations are not suitable for plastic mulch tomato production systems, new irrigation and fertility guidelines will be established. Specific objectives that will help meet this goal include: 1.To increase N fertilizer use efficiency by using effective placement techniques and proper N rates for tomato producers growing tomatoes using plastic mulch production systems. 2.To increase irrigation use efficiency for commercial tomato producers utilizing plastic mulch production systems. 3.To determine if appropriate irrigation techniques leach nutrients below tomato root zones in sandy loam soils. 4.To educate Virginia producers about proper irrigation and N management and the interaction between the two factors. These factors may have implications on their sustainability, profit potential and groundwater quality.
Project Methods
All research will be conducted at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Painter, Virginia. The Eastern Shore AREC is situated on a Bojac sandy loam. The project will be established to test combinations of two N application practices and five N rates. For each N rate, N treatments will be applied with 40 percent of the total N applied as ammonium nitrate (34 percent N) before the plastic mulch is laid with the remainder 60 percent applied via fertigation using a chemical injector. Both application practices will be tested at total N rates of 0, 112, 224, 336, and 448 kg N ha-1. Liquid urea-ammonium nitrate (32 percent N) will be used to apply fertigation treatments. Fertigation N rates will increase as the growing season progresses to match plant N uptake. Fertigation will take place on Monday and Thursday during the afternoon irrigation cycle. Fertigation N will be applied at 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, and 1.1 kg N ha-1 day-1 for time periods 0-14, 15-28, 29-42, 43-56, 57-77, and 78-98 days after planting, respectively. Four irrigation treatments will be used based on ET calculations from book values for the Mid-Atlantic. Irrigation treatments will be set using automatic timers to irrigate twice a day, 7 days a week, to deliver 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ET values for Painter, Virginia. From final ETc calculations, 30 year rainfall averages (years 1978 to 2008) will be subtracted from the required calculated ET water loss to find water needs that need to be applied via irrigation. A fifth treatment will be triggered automatically with a wired tensiometer. Irrigation for the tensiometer treatment will initiate after the 30-cm depth tensiometer reading raises above 40 kPa and will run until the 30-cm depth reading falls below the 40 kPa value (Kuhar et. al., 2009). Water quality indicators, in our case N and P, will be measured. Soil water samples will be taken from the 50-cm depth using suction cup lysimeters to measure N leaching through the vadose zone on a weekly basis. Samples will be collected from each fertilizer application until last harvest of tomato fruit. Following collection, water samples will be processed and stored at 4 degrees C until analyzed. Samples for orthophosphate will be filtered through 0.45 um filter paper and acidified to a pH below 2.0 by adding 3 drops of HCl per 25 mL sample. Water samples for nitrate and ammonium will be filtered through Whatman 42 filter paper to remove large particles and acidified similar to orthophosphate. Water samples will be analyzed for orthophosphate, ammonium and nitrate colorimetrically using a segmented continuous flow auto analyzer. Soil samples will be taken after final lysimeter leachate is collected and the last fruit harvest. Soil will be sampled incrementally within each plot from 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm and analyzed for total N to test residual soil nitrogen and possible nitrogen leaching. The experiment is arranged as a randomized complete block design. Statistical analysis will be conducted in SAS. Fisher's Least Significant Difference values will be established at alpha = 0.05. Regression analysis will also be performed.

Progress 04/01/10 to 03/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Data were presented at: The 26thAnnual Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Melfa, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day in Painter, VA; at the Master Gardener Nutrient Management Training Session in Painter, VA; at the Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School in Ocean City, MD; at the Environment Virginia Symposium in Lexington, VA,at the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, VA, and at the Soil Science Society of America International Meetings. The target audiences for all groups were farmers, Scientists,Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, USDA-NRCS employees, Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, Environmentalists, Certified Crop Advisors, nutrient management planners, among other interested stakeholders. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project was led by graduate research assistants; which allows one-on-one mentor training with faculty and research associates. To date, data was used to supply information for training and publication of one Ph.D. student. All information collected is routinely used to train Master Gardeners, Nutrient Management Planners, Farmers, USDA-NRCS personnel, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, Certified Crop Advisors, and so forth. This data was also used to train Virginia Cooperative Extension agents in a vegetable production field day that spanned 3 days and had both classroom and field settings. Professional development is a continuous occurrence for my research team as well as other stakeholders. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings were used to change Extension recommendations for fertilizer management for fresh market tomatoes in the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide; which is a carbon copy to guides in other Mid-Atlantic States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Our project was also used to adjust nutrient and irrigation recommendations in the Southeast Vegetable Crop Handbook; which is a collaboration between several states (Alabama, South Caroline, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia). Also, governmental organizations responsible for nutrient management in the Commonwealth have contacted project investigators to seek advice for nutrient management planning. Data was also presented to the public via numerous field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have accomplished all 4 major goals of this project. The 5th year concentrated on the 4th objective. The first three years of data for this project were statistically analyzed and published as a Ph.D. dissertation and a journal article. The remaining data is currently in preparation for an additional peer-reviewed journal article. Data was presented to a wide range of stakeholders that included farmers, industry representatives, and governmental agencies and will soon be available on a wide scale to the public and scientific communities via peer reviewed literature. All data was considered and incorporated into extension publications that are used as the official guidelines for Virginia extension recommendations.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Reiter, M.S., R.A. Arancibia, L.K. Strawn, S.L. Rideout, T.P. Kuhar, J.A. Parkhurst, D.B. Langston, Jr., J. Samtani, G. Gu, T.E. Hines, and H.B. Doughty. 2015. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations  Virginia, 2015. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kuhar, T.P., R.A. Arancibia, S.L. Rideout, and M.S. Reiter. 2015. Southeastern U.S. 2015 Vegetable Crop Handbook. J.M. Kemble (ed.) Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers Group. Vance Publ. Corp., Lincolnshire, IL.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Reiter, M.S. Nutrient management in the Mid-Atlantic: The Eastern Shore Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences [Online]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Painter, VA. Available at: www.facebook.com/EasternShore.Soils.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Data was presented at: The 25th Annual Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Melfa, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day in Painter, VA; at the Master Gardener Nutrient Management Training Session in Painter, VA; at the Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School in Ocean City, MD; and at the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, VA. The target audience for all groups were farmers, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, USDA-NRCS employees, Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, Environmentalists, Certified Crop Advisors, nutrient management planners, among other interested stakeholders. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project was led by graduate research assistants; which allows one-on-one mentor training with faculty and research associates. To date, data was used to supply information for training and publication of one Ph.D. student. All information collected is routinely used to train Master Gardeners, Nutrient Management Planners, Farmers, USDA-NRCS personnel, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, Certified Crop Advisors, and so forth. Therefore, professional development is a continuous occurrence for my research team as well as other stakeholders. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Findings were used to change Extension recommendations for fertilizer management for fresh market tomatoes in the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide; which is a carbon copy to guides in other Mid-Atlantic States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Our project was also used to adjust nutrient and irrigation recommendations in the Southeast Vegetable Crop Handbook; which is a collaboration between several states (Alabama, South Caroline, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia). Also, governmental organizations responsible for nutrient management in the Commonwealth have contacted project investigators to seek advice for nutrient management planning. Data was also presented to the public via numerous field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We are currently concentrating on the 4th objective as our project is in the final year. The first three years of data for this project were statistically analyzed and published as a Ph.D. dissertation and a journal article. The remaining data is currently in preparation for an additional peer-reviewed journal article. Data was presented to a wide range of stakeholders that included farmers, industry representatives, and governmental agencies and will soon be available on a wide scale to the public and scientific communities via peer reviewed literature. All data was considered and incorporated into extension publications that are used as the official guidelines for Virginia extension recommendations.

Publications

  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kuhar, T.P., R.A. Straw, S.L. Rideout, M.S. Reiter, et. al. 2014. Southeastern U.S. 2014 Vegetable Crop Handbook. J.M. Kemble (ed.) Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers Group. Vance Publ. Corp., Lincolnshire, IL.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Reiter, M.S., S.L. Rideout, T.P. Kuhar, H.P. Wilson, J.H. Freeman, J.A. Parkhurst, R.A. Straw, J. Samtani, G. Gu, C.D. Mullins, T.E. Hines, C.M. Waldenmaier, H.B. Doughty, and J.E. Mason*. 2014. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations  Virginia, 2014. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Reiter, M.S. Nutrient management in the Mid-Atlantic: The Eastern Shore Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences [Online]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Painter, VA. Available at: www.facebook.com/EasternShore.Soils.


Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Data was presented at: The 24th Annual Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Belle Haven, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day in Painter, VA; at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Professional Development Conference in Blacksburg, VA; at the Master Gardener Nutrient Management Training Session in Painter, VA; and at the Chesapeake Bay Agriculture Networking Forum in Staunton, VA. The target audience for all groups was farmers, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, NRCS employees, Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, Environmentalists, nutrient management planners, among other interested stakeholders. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project was and still is being led and assisted by graduate research assistants. To date, data was used to supply information for training and publication of one Ph.D. student. Currently, we have two M.S. students using these projects as training and data collection for their thesis. All information collected is routinely used to train Master Gardeners, Nutrient Management Planners, Farmers, NRCS personnel, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, and so forth. Therefore, professional development is a continuous occurrence for my research team as well as other stakeholders. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Findings (three years of data) were used to change Extension recommendations for fertilizer management for fresh market tomatoes in the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide; which is a carbon copy to guides in other Mid-Atlantic States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Also, governmental organizations responsible for nutrient management in the Commonwealth have contacted project investigators to seek advice for nutrient management planning. Data was also presented to the public via numerous field days and conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Numerous goals were achieved for this project. Two field trials were planted in late spring 2013. Yield was collected and fruit graded according to size. Yield data has been statistically analyzed. Plant samples were collected, dried, ground, and were analyzed for total nutrient concentration (such as nitrogen and sulfur) using dry combustion techniques as well as phosphorus using an acid digest. Soil samples were collected, dried, and ground and were analyzed for total nutrient concentration using dry combustion and acid digestion. More importantly, the first three years of data for this project was statistically analyzed and was published as a Ph.D. dissertation. The journal articles are currently either in-review or in-press. Therefore, data was presented to a wide range of stakeholders that included farmers, industry representatives, and governmental agencies and will soon be available on a wide scale to the public and scientific communities via peer reviewed literature.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fleming, C.S. 2013. Nitrogen and phosphorus management in the Mid-Atlantic. Ph.D. Dissertation. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Fleming, C.S., M.S. Reiter, J.H. Freeman, and R.O. Maguire. 2013. Optimizing irrigation of fresh market tomatoes grown in the mid-Atlantic United States. HortTechnology. 23(6):In Press.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Freeman, J.H., R.A. Straw, S.L. Rideout, M.S. Reiter, et. al. 2013. Southeastern U.S. 2013 Vegetable Crop Handbook. J.M. Kemble, K. Ivors, F.J. Louws, K.M. Jennings, and J.F. Walgenbach (eds.) Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers Group. Vance Publ. Corp., Lincolnshire, IL.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Freeman, J.H., H.P. Wilson, T.P. Kuhar, S.L. Rideout, M.S. Reiter, R.A. Straw, T.E. Hines, C.M. Waldenmaier, H.B. Doughty, and U.T. Deitch*. 2013. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations  Virginia, 2013. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pollard, S., J. Barak, R. Boyer, M. Reiter, G. Gu, and S. Rideout. 2013. Potential interactions between Salmonella enterica and Ralstonia solanacearum in tomato plants. J. Food Protection. doi: 10.431510362-028X.JFP-13-209.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Reiter, M.S. and T.C. Daniel. 2013. Binding agents effect on physical and chemical attributes of nitrogen-fortified poultry litter and biosolids granules. Transactions ASABE. 56(5): 1695-1702.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Reiter, M.S., J.H. Freeman, S.T. Reiter, and C.H. Horton. 2013. Increasing fresh produce availability from local sources. Publ. AREC-50NP. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Reiter, M.S. Nutrient management in the Mid-Atlantic: The Eastern Shore Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences [Online]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Painter, VA. Available at: www.facebook.com/EasternShore.Soils.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Numerous goals were achieved for this project in the third year. The project was planted in late spring 2012. Yield was collected and fruit graded according to size. Yield data has been statistically analyzed. Plant samples were collected, dried, ground, and were analyzed for total nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur using dry combustion techniques. Soil samples were collected, dried, and ground and were analyzed for total nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur using dry combustion techniques. Soils were prepared and extracted using a 1:10 ratio soil:extractant of potassium chloride for determination of inorganic nitrogen concentrations. Lysimeter leachate samples were collected, filtered, and analyzed. GreenSeeker and petiole nitrate values at first bloom, the 2-inch fruit size, and maturity was collected and statistically analyzed. Yield, GreenSeeker, and petiole nitrate values were presented at the Annual Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Field Day, at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors, at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show, and at the Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Working Group Meeting. Therefore, data has been presented to a wide range of stakeholders that includes farmers, industry representatives, and governmental agencies. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Mark Reiter - Mark was responsible for total project management and coordination of activities, data analysis oversight, and presentation of data. Dr. Josh Freeman - Josh assisted with transplant growth, formation of tomato beds, transplanting, and decision making regarding all pesticide applications. Josh made most general insecticide and fungicide sprays during the growing season. John Mason - John assisted with all aspects of this project that included management of general plot agronomy, as well as setting up of irrigation systems, water sampling systems, daily fertigation of nutrients, plant tissue sampling, harvest, and grading of fruit. Cathy Fleming - Assisted with all general plot agronomy aspects, with all sampling aspects for data collection of water and plant tissue, and is the major person responsible for drying, grinding, and laboratory analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Data was presented at: The Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Belle Haven, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day; at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors in Ocean City, MD. The target audience for all groups was farmers, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, NRCS employees, among other interested stakeholders. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Findings (three years of data) were used to change Extension recommendations for fertilizer management for fresh market tomatoes in the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide; which is a carbon copy to guides in other Mid-Atlantic States (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Also, governmental organizations responsible for nutrient management in the Commonwealth have contacted project investigators to seek advice for nutrient management planning. We are still in the infancy stages of this project, but are already working towards changing and improving nutrient management guidelines for fresh market tomatoes in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Publications

  • Wilson, H.P., T.P. Kuhar, S.L. Rideout, J.H. Freeman, M.S. Reiter, R.A. Straw, T.E. Hines, C.M. Waldenmaier, H.B. Doughty, and U.T. Deitch. 2012. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations - Virginia, 2012. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.
  • Freeman, J.H., A. Straw, S.L. Rideout, M.S. Reiter, et. al. 2011. Southeastern U.S. 2011 Vegetable Crop Handbook. J.M. Kemble, F.J. Louws, K.M. Jennings, and J.F. Walgenbach (eds.). Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers Group. Auburn Univ., Clemson Univ., Louisiana State Univ., Mississippi State Univ., Univ. Florida, North Carolina State Univ., Univ. Georgia, Univ. Kentucky, Univ. Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.
  • Freeman J.H., T. Kuhar, M.S. Reiter, S.L. Rideout, H.W. Wilson, C. Johnson, R. Straw, H. Doughty, T. Hines, and C. Waldenmaier. 2011. Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations - Virginia, 2011. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Numerous goals have been achieved for this particular project in the second year. The project was planted in late spring 2011. Yield was collected and fruit graded according to size. Yield data has been statistically analyzed. Plant samples were collected, dried, ground, and were analyzed for total nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur using dry combustion techniques. Soil samples were collected, dried, and ground and were analyzed for total nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur using dry combustion techniques. Soils are now properly prepared and are awaiting potassium chloride extractions for determination of inorganic nitrogen concentrations. Lysimeter leachate samples were collected, filtered, and analyzed. GreenSeeker and petiole nitrate values at first bloom, the 2-inch fruit size, and maturity was collected and statistically analyzed. Yield, GreenSeeker, and petiole nitrate values were presented at the Annual Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Field Day, at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors, at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show, and at the Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Working Group Meeting. Therefore, data has been presented to a wide range of stakeholders that includes farmers, industry representatives, and governmental agencies. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Josh Freeman - Josh assisted with transplant growth, formation of tomato beds, transplanting, and decision making regarding all pesticide applications. Josh made most general insecticide and fungicide sprays during the growing season. John Aigner - John assisted with all aspects of this project that included management of general plot agronomy, as well as setting up of irrigation systems, water sampling systems, daily fertigation of nutrients, plant tissue sampling, harvest, and grading of fruit. Cathy Fleming - Assisted with all general plot agronomy aspects, with all sampling aspects for data collection of water and plant tissue, and is the major person responsible for drying, grinding, and laboratory analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Data was presented at: The Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Belle Haven, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day; at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors in Ocean City, MD. The target audience for all groups was farmers, Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel, NRCS employees, among other interested stakeholders. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
These preliminary data findings (two years of data) were used to change Extension recommendations for fertilizer management for fresh market tomatoes in the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide. These same recommendations were transferred to other vegetable guides used in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Also, governmental organizations responsible for nutrient management in the Commonwealth have contacted project investigators to seek advice for nutrient management planning. We are still in the infancy stages of this project, but are already working towards changing and improving nutrient management guidelines for fresh market tomatoes in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Publications

  • Fleming, C.S.*, M.S. Reiter, and J.H. Freeman. 2011. Fresh market tomato irrigation and nitrogen management in Virginia. In Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Working Group Meeting Abstracts. 10 November. Univ. of Delaware, Newark.
  • Fleming, C.S.*, M.S. Reiter, and J.H. Freeman. 2010. Fresh market tomato irrigation management on sandy loam soils. HortScience 45(4):499.
  • Fleming, C.S.*, M.S. Reiter, and J.H. Freeman. 2010. Irrigation management of fresh market tomato on sandy loam soils in the Mid-Atlantic. In 26th Annual Graduate Student Association Research Symposium Abstracts. 24 Mar. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Numerous goals have been achieved for this particular project in the first year. The project was planted in late spring 2010. Yield was collected and fruit graded according to size. Yield data has been statistically analyzed. Plant samples were collected, dried, ground, and are awaiting laboratory analysis. Soil samples were collected, dried, and ground and awaiting laboratory extraction and analysis. Lysimeter leachate samples were collected, filtered, and analyzed and are awaiting statistical analysis. GreenSeeker and petiole nitrate values at the 2-inch fruit size has been obtained and statistically analyzed. Yield, GreenSeeker, and petiole nitrate values have been presented at the 31st Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference that was held in Painter, VA, at the Annual Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Field Day, at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors, and at the Southern Branch Horticultural Society Annual Meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Josh Freeman - Josh assisted with transplant growth, formation of tomato beds, transplanting, and decision making regarding all pesticide applications. Josh made most general insecticide and fungicide sprays during the growing season. John Aigner - John assisted with all aspects of this project that included management of general plot agronomy, as well as setting up of irrigation systems, water sampling systems, daily fertigation of nutrients, plant tissue sampling, harvest, and grading of fruit. Cathy Fleming - Assisted with all general plot agronomy aspects, with all sampling aspects for data collection of water and plant tissue, and is the major person responsible for drying, grinding, and laboratory analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Data was presented at: The Eastern Shore Agricultural Conference and Trade Show in Belle Haven, VA; at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center Annual Research Field Day; at the Crop Management School for Certified Crop Advisors in Ocean City, MD. The target audience for all groups was farmers, Soil and Water Conservation District Personel, NRCS employees, among other interested stakeholders. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Yield, petiole nitrate, irrigation, and GreenSeeker data was used to update Virginia Cooperative Extension nitrogen recommendations in the Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for fresh market plasticulture tomatoes. This guide is used by commercial tomato farmers in the Mid-Atlantic Region and is their predominant and go-to source for cultural information such as irrigation management and fertilizer recommendations.

Publications

  • Wilson, H.P., T.P. Kuhar, S.L. Rideout, J.H. Freeman, M.S. Reiter, R.A. Straw, T.E. Hines, C.M. Waldenmaier, H.B. Doughty, U.T. Deitch, and J.D. Aigner, Jr. 2010. Commercial vegetable production recommendations. Publ. 456-420. Virginia Cooperative Ext., Blacksburg.