Progress 08/01/11 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The primary objective of this Phase I research and development effort was to prove the feasibility of a novel MoSS (Modular Shade Structure) and hardware system that can be configured to the growers specific needs with common parts, be portable, easily erected and taken down for relocation, facilitate the growing of most high value fruits and vegetables, and be economical to produce and distribute. Also, to study the effect of shading to mitigate sun damage and improve plant growth of high value fruits and vegetables. Also, study the addition of shading to increase winter chilling hours for blueberries in the more southern growing climates. TGS supplied One shade structure 48 feet x 216 feet x 8 feet high and one 12 feet x 96 feet x 8 feet high were shipped to Tanglewood Berry Farm (Fort Wayne, IN), one shade structure 32 feet x 200 feet x 8 feet high shipped to UC KRS (Parlier, CA), one shade structure 44 feet x 80 feet x 8 feet high to Harriet's Bluff Organic Berry Farm, (Woodbine, GA), and one shade structure 50 feet x 200 feet x 8 feet high shipped to Clear Springs Blueberry Farm, (Winter Haven, FL), for field trials in Florida. University of California Cooperative Extension Kearney Research and Extension Center, Parlier, California: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the modular shade structure on sunburn of pepper fruit. Outreach/ Education: Growers were invited to participate and tour modular shade trials atthe annual Specialty Crops Field Day and Meeting on October 25 at the Kearney Research and Extension Center in Parlier, California. Growers showed interest in the potential of shade technologies for various crops and marketing strategies. USDA-ARS (Kearneysville, West Virginia): For Phase I study, shade structures were erected over portions of a row planted with Apache blackberry. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements of plant canopy in the open and under shade were taken. Transplants of some short-day strawberry cultivars started as plug plants in early July have the capacity to flower and fruit in the fall and the following spring, enabling growers in the mid-Atlantic coast region to harvest strawberries twice (fall and spring) within one year from a single planting. Crosses were made with Strawberry Festival, Chandler, and Sweet Charlie plants as parents. Several selections flowered as early as 15 September in 2012. Small shade structures were constructed and draped with colored net to determine if changes in light quality would affect plants ability to produce flowers in out-of-season. The shade structures constructed for use in the field and for smaller applications in the greenhouse were simple to construct and install. Gerard Krewer - Harriet's Bluff Organic Berry Farm: Two shade structures about one quarter acre each were established in commercial blueberry farms in Georgia and Florida to study the effect of shading on southern highbush blueberry production. The Georgia site had an uncovered control, 40% shade and 60% shade. The Clear Springs, Florida site had an uncovered control and 60% shade. PARTICIPANTS: Fumi Takeda, PhD (Co/PI Phase II) Research Horticulturist and Lead Scientist Appalachian Fruit Research Station United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Kearneysville, WV 25430 Gerard Krewer Harriett's Bluff Organic Blueberry Farm 5500 Mary Drive Woodbine, GA 31569 Jerry Branstrator (Co/PI Phase II) Trellis Growing Systems LLC 2427 S. Hadley Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Richard Barnes (PD Phase II) Trellis Growing Systems LLC 2427 S. Hadley Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Jack Green Clear Springs Blueberry Farm 6105 Spirit Lake Rd. Winter Haven, FL 33880 Manuel Jimenez University of California Kearney Research Center 9240 S. Riverbend Ave. Parlier, CA 93648 Camille Cupa Tanglewood Berry Farm Fort Wayne, IN 46804 TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
At Trellis Growing Systems, Fort Wayne, Indiana: The TGS shade structure prototypes proved to be easy to install, strong, and reasonably easy to manage the shade fabric covering and uncovering. University of California Cooperative Extension Kearney Research and Extension Center, Parlier, California: In summary, the study indicates that shading reduces sunburn and increases marketable yields. Although the shade treatment significantly reduced sunburn in bell peppers, it appears that chili peppers were more tolerant to light exposure. USDA-ARS (Kearneysville, West Virginia): From mid-morning to late afternoon, the skin temperatures of shaded fruit were as much as 20 degrees F lower than those of fruit exposed to direct sunlight. Measurements indicated that the shade fabric reduced solar radiation level by 50%. The light quality measurements with a photometer indicated that light levels were evenly reduced the entire visible light wavelength from the blue to red spectrum. This research showed that strawberry plants can initiate flower buds under conditions normally not favorable for FBI, e.g. 16 h photoperiod and T>22 degree C. Also, immature leaves in the bud or tissues that have just emerged from the crown were shown to be capable of perceiving light cues to evoke the apical meristem to become reproductive. Photo-selective nets over strawberry transplants blocked the light signal that initiates flowering until the netting was removed. This technique was useful for extending the bloom and for producing strawberries in later season. Environmental manipulations are useful for delaying or promoting the time to flowering. Cultural techniques such as shading plants are useful for optimizing crop productivity and quality. The modular design feature of the shade structure manufactured by Trellis Growing Systems, Inc. appears to be more functional and durable than those built in-house by ARS personnel. Gerard Krewer - Harriet's Bluff Organic Berry Farm: . On sunny days in winter, twig and flower bud temperature was about 10 degrees F cooler under the 60% shade at Clear Springs, Florida. Shading increased emerging new leaves from 8% to 32% with Jewel and 66% to 90% with Primadonna. Both 40% and 60% shading greatly increased percentage of fruit set after two hard freeze events. Clear Springs is a high wind environment and the TGS shade system has survived many wind storms without damage. Unlike normal rigid shading, the system flexes and wind rolls over the shade like waves on the surface of the ocean. The shade is relatively easy to retract or reinstall with a small crew of workers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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