Progress 05/06/04 to 07/31/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Agriculture in the South Central states is undergoing change due to alterations in national farm support systems, biotic and abiotic stresses affecting crop yields, and shifts in consumer preferences. A healthy farming sector must be adaptable to change. An enthusiastic acceptance of the opportunities in the changing production environment will strengthen the development of diversified, sustainable agriculture, especially for family farms, and contribute to the stability of the rural community. A resilient, and adaptable, agricultural base will assure the delivery of safe, reasonably priced, nutritious food to the citizens of the United States. To profit from these changes producers will have to employ new or modified production systems. Redirection of agricultural endeavors will allow producers to enter
new markets, including overseas markets. Modifying, or changing, existing production systems can present physical, logistical, and sociological problems to producers. Production methods are not always easily transferable between systems, and some re-education of producers will be required. Land previously in grass or row crops may not be immediately used for high-value vegetable crops. Research is being conducted to develop sustainable production systems, control weeds, examine factors affecting crop development or yield, and examine factors that may affect crop physiology. Changes in vegetable production will likely require that traditional agricultural practices be diversified and include production of specialized crops. Many components interact to direct research, development, and implementation of production systems for horticultural crops. There are opportunities to design research programs that lead to the development of production systems for horticultural crops that will
utilize every facet of the cultural system, to include those employing organic methods, to maximize crop yields, water-use efficiency, profitability, and product quality, while minimizing chemical use, health risks, and environmental impact. Research on production systems for various horticultural crops will be conducted on cultural components that will be investigated separately and in combination. The goal will be to deliver technology for production systems that will maximize yield quantity and quality, improve income to the producer, and help producers control weeds. The work is relevant to researchers, and producers with varying levels of resources. The project is relevant to National Programs 305 (Crop Production) and 304 (Crop Protection and Quarantine), and provides new information on crop production methods, and control of weeds, that is designed to improve production efficiency in the development of sustainable cropping systems, and determine how cultural methods affect
quality and quantity of vegetables. Results of these studies will increase the knowledge base, improve the delivery of technology, and promote the use of these systems. New, or adapted, production systems can be used to develop sustainable, diversified, agriculture. The project will support immediate and long-range strategies for efficient crop production through collaboration with producers, especially those that operate small- and medium-sized farms. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. This is a new project established on 5/16/2004 following location reorganization; a project plan for this new line of research has just completed NP305 ad hoc review, and project documentation is being processed. There are no approved milestones for the project being reported here; however, within the project that has been developed, the following milestones were anticipated to be addressed in FY2005. Objective 1: Initiate experiments dealing with: A) factors
affecting transplant production, B) effects of soil inocula on peanut and vegetable production in rotation; C) rotation of grasses and vegetables in strip- tillage; D) comparison of organic and conventional vegetable production, and E) density and planting date on seeded non-pungent jalapeno peppers. Objective 2: Initiate experiments on effects of spacing and fertilization on yield and nutrient content of dry beans. Objective 3: Initiate experiments dealing with organic weed control options for vegetable crops, and effects on phytonutrients. Objective 4: Initiate cover crop and phytonutrient experiments with cantaloupe and peppers. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Initiate experiments dealing with: A) factors affecting transplant production, B) effects of soil inocula on peanut and vegetable production in rotation; C) rotation of grasses and
vegetables in strip-tillage; D) comparison of organic and conventional vegetable production, and E) density and planting date on seeded non-pungent jalapeno peppers. Milestone Substantially Met 2. Effects of soil inocula on peanut and vegetable production in rotation. Milestone Fully Met 3. Initiate experiments dealing with organic weed control options for vegetable crops, and effects on phytonutrients. Milestone Fully Met 4. Initiate cover crop and phytonutrient experiments with cantaloupe and peppers. Milestone Fully Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? The project will be replaced by an OSQR-approved project before the end of the fiscal year. The new project will examine how components of production contribute to development, or improvement, of production systems. Experiments begun in FY 2005 will be continued under the new
approved project. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Development of organic production system for vegetable transplants. Vegetable producers who wish to obtain organic certification must use materials that meet the National Organic Program (NOP) standards. Information regarding the use of organic materials for vegetable transplant production is lacking. Research at the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane, OK, used materials that meet NOP standards in various combinations to determine which was best to produce transplants that were comparable to those produced with conventional materials. This information will allow producers to be able to state that their operation uses organic principles and practices in the production of vegetables. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Kaolin for pepper production. Pepper flowers and fruit do not develop properly under heat stress. A kaolin-based particle film, originally developed
to protect tree fruit from insects, was found to also cool plant tissues. At the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Lane, OK, the material was applied to peppers when they would be exposed to heat stress to determine if yield could be improved. Similar treatments were applied to peppers at the University of Georgia. There was no benefit from the use of the material in Oklahoma and Georgia. 4c List any significant activities that support special target populations. Work in cooperation with a minority-affiliated organization is underway, and centered on the dissemination of information and the development of demonstration projects to improve production practices for vegetable growers in the association. Approximately 3.4 tons of vegetables were harvested in cooperation with gleaners and distributed through local food-sharing agencies to those in need in the region. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual
impact. This report is for a bridging project that provided data for a single year. The data provided information that can be applied to the development of production systems for vegetables, and to better understand the physiological consequences to plants caused by stressors, especially weeds. Producers will be able to use the information generated from this research in the development of sustainable production systems to increase yield quality and quantity, and income on family farms. Accomplishments made under this project are consistent with relevant milestones listed in the Project Plan, and with research components relevant to national programs 305 and 304. Accomplishments under this project contribute to the ARS Strategic Plan 1.2, Performance Measure 1.2. 5, in that they contribute to attainment of the target of providing new information on crop production methods, control of weeds, improve efficiency of cropping systems, and improvement of quality and quantity of vegetables.
6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Technology transferred includes presentation of information on the scientific method and agricultural sciences to students from elementary through high schools visiting the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory. Undergraduate college students were introduced to the scientific method used in research through summer jobs and cooperation in special programs. Foreign students were shown how research was conducted that dealt with vegetable production systems. There was cooperation in field days that demonstrated to producers, and potential producers, cultural methods that will lead to improved yield and information about the importance of weed control in vegetables. A web site
"http://www.lane-ag.org/scarl/prodsys/prodsys.htm" that is periodically updated provides recommendations for vegetable production based on data generated as a result of research. This information makes production system research from this location immediately available to customers. Cooperated with a producer to develop an organic production system for Chile peppers at the grower's location. A cooperative effort with the newly formed organization dedicated to organic production of food and fiber to participate in the development of organically based production of vegetables is ongoing. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Roberts, W., Taylor, M., Edelson, J., Shrefler, J., Russo, V.M., Bruton, B.D., Pair, S.D., Webber III, C.L. 2005. Investigations in organic vegetable production in Oklahoma. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture
Industries Show. p. 182-184. Roberts, B.W., Taylor, M.J., Shrefler, J.W., Edelson, J.V., Webber III, C.L., Bruton, B.D., Pair, S.D. 2005. Regulations and procedures of the certified National Organic Program. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture Industries Show. p. 179-181. Russo, V.M., Collins, J.K. 2005. Attitudes of public school students in Southeastern Oklahoma toward agriculture and horticulture. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture Industries Show. p. 185-187. Webber III, C.L. 2005. Alternative weed control-An update on USDA research. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture Industries Show. p. 40-42. Webber III, C.L., Harris, M.A., Sherefler, J.W., Durnova, M., Christopher, C.A. 2005. Vinegar as an organic burn-down herbicide. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture Industries Show. p. 168-172. Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W. 2005. Corn gluten meal application methods for weed control. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Horticulture Industries Show. p.
163-167.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W., Langston, V.B. 2005. Weed control with pelargonic acid (2004) Lane, Oklahoma. In: Brandenberger, L., Wells, L. editors. 2004 Vegetable Trial Report. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater, Oklahoma. MP-162. p. 32-33.
- Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W. 2005. Squash survival and yields with corn gluten meal. In: Brandenberger, L., Wells, L. editors. 2004 Vegetable Trial Report. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater, Oklahoma. MP-162. p. 37-38.
- Russo, V.M. 2005. Organic vegetable transplant production. HortScience. 40:623-628.
- Russo, V.M., Diaz-Perez, J.C. 2005. Kaolin-based particle film has no effect on physiological measurements, disease incidence or yield in peppers. HortScience. 40(1):98-101.
- Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W. 2004. Weed control alternatives for spring transplanted onions [abstract]. National Allium Research Conference. p. 63.
- Webber III, C.L., Shrefler, J.W. 2005. Corn gluten meal application equipment evaluations. In: Brandenberger, L., Wells, L. editors. 2004 Vegetable Trial Report. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater, Oklahoma. MP-162. p. 29-31.
- Webber III, C.L., Harris, M.A., Shrefler, J.W., Durnovo, M., Christopher, C.A. 2005. Organic weed control with vinegar. In: Brandenberger, L., Wells, L. editors. 2004 Vegetable Trial Report. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater, Oklahoma. MP-162. p. 34-36.
- Shrefler, J.W., Brandenberger, L.P., Webber III, C.L., Goodson, T.L. 2005. Herbicide study in direct-seeded watermelon, 2004. In: Brandenberger, L., Wells, L. editors. 2004 Vegetable Trial Report. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater, Oklahoma. MP-162. p. 7-9.
- Shrefler, J.W., Taylor, M.J., Roberts, B.W., Webber III, C.L. 2004. Recent experience with fresh bulb-onion production for Oklahoma [abstract]. National Allium Research Conference. p. 85.
- Brandenberger, L., Talbert, R., Wiendenfeld, R., Shrefler, J., Webber III, C.L., Malik, M. 2005. Effects of halosulfuron on weed control in commercial honeydew crops. Weed Technology. 19:346-350.
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Agriculture in the South Central states is undergoing change due to alterations in national farm support systems, biotic and abiotic stresses affecting crop yields, and shifts in consumer preferences. A healthy farming sector must be adaptable to change. An enthusiastic acceptance of the opportunities in the changing production environment will strengthen the development of diversified, sustainable agriculture, especially for family farms, and contribute to the stability of the rural community. A resilient, and adaptable, agricultural base will assure the delivery of safe, reasonably priced, nutritious food to the citizens of the United States. To profit from these changes producers will have to employ new or modified production systems. Redirection of agricultural endeavors will allow producers to
enter new markets, including overseas markets. Modifying, or changing, existing production systems can present physical, logistical, and sociological problems to producers. Production methods are not always easily transferable between systems, and some re-education of producers will be required. Land previously in grass or row crops may not be immediately used for high-value vegetable crops. Research is being conducted to develop production systems, control weeds, examine factors affecting crop development or yield, and examine factors that may affect crop physiology. Changes in vegetable production will likely require that traditional agricultural practices be diversified and include production of specialized crops. Many components interact to direct research, development, and implementation of production systems for horticultural crops. There are opportunities to design research programs that lead to the development of production systems for horticultural crops that will utilize
every facet of the cultural system to maximize crop yields, water-use efficiency, profitability, and product quality, while minimizing chemical use, health risks, and environmental impact. Research on production systems for various horticultural crops will be conducted on cultural components that will be investigated separately and in combination. The goal will be to deliver technology for production systems that will maximize yield quantity and quality, improve income to the producer, and help producers control weeds. The work is relevant to researchers, and producers with varying levels of resources. The project is relevant to National Programs 305 (Crop Production) and 304 (Crop Protection and Quarantine), and provides new information on crop production methods, and control of weeds, that is designed to improve production efficiency in the development of sustainable cropping systems, and determine how cultural methods affect quality and quantity of vegetables. Results of these
studies will increase the knowledge base, improve the delivery of technology, and promote the use of these systems. New, or adapted, production systems can be used to develop sustainable, diversified, agriculture. The project will support immediate and long-range strategies for efficient crop production through collaboration with producers, especially those that operate small- and medium-sized farms. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. This is a new project established on 5/16/2004 following location reorganization and is currently in NP 305 ad hoc review. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. This is a new project established on 5/16/2004 following location reorganization and is currently in NP305 ad hoc review. Currently
there are no approved milestones, and no projected milestones that were to be addressed in FY04. B. List the milestones (from the list in Question #2) that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next three years under each milestone. Milestones scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005 through FY 2007. Anticipated milestones for the project being developed include: Year 1 (FY 2005) Milestone 1: Complete fourth year of a multi-year experiment comparing organic and conventional vegetable production systems. Result expected: The fourth year of this ongoing, multiple-year experiment will be the first year of the next phase of determining the efficacy of organic versus conventional production methods for vegetables. The first three years will have provided insight into what does, or does not, work, and adjustments will be made that will direct the research in this year, and the following four years. Milestone
2: Determine the effects on vegetable yields of beneficial bacterial and fungal inocula applied in a field trial. Result expected: It will be determined if the inoculation of soil with beneficial bacterial and fungal inocula, and which was planted to peanut, will carry over benefits to vegetables in subsequent years without reinoculatiuon. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Milestone 3: Determine the effects of winter crop mixtures to decrease weed growth and promote spring and summer crop production. Result expected: It will be determined if the selection of winter crops has a beneficial impact by reducing weed competition and promoting bell pepper and cantaloupe production. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Milestone 4: Determine the suitability of using certain organic herbicides for weed control in sweet corn production. Result expected: It will be determined if there are benefits to using certain organic
herbicides, or organic methods, for sweet corn production over standard methods. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Year 2 (FY 2006) Milestone 1: Determine the effects of fertilization in fall-sown, minimum- till beans. Result expected: It will be determined if the amount of nitrogen fertilizer affected yield of navy beans sown in late summer under minimum till conditions. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Milestone 2: Complete fifth year of a multi-year experiment comparing organic and conventional vegetable production systems. Results expected: The data from this phase of an ongoing, multiple-year experiment will be collected and analyzed. Milestone 3: Determine effects of rotation of various vegetable crops following ryegrass. Result expected: It will be determined if two vegetable crops, planted in rotational succession after ryegrass, can produce adequate yields. The data will be compiled and readied for
presentation and publication. Milestone 4: Determine the most promising organic herbicides to be incorporated into vegetable production systems research. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Result expected: It will be determined which organic herbicides rate further consideration for weed control in vegetable crops. Year 3 (FY 2007) Milestone 1: Determine effects of planting date, fertilization, and irrigation on yield and mineral nutrient content of peppers. Result expected: It will be determined if yield and nutrient content of peppers are affected by time of planting, rate of fertilizer, and amount of irrigation provided. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. Milestone 2: Complete sixth year of comparison of organic and conventional vegetable production. Result expected: The data from this phase of the ongoing, multiple-year experiment will be collected and analyzed. Milestone 3: Complete second year of
evaluations of organic herbicides in selected vegetable production systems. Result expected: Determine the organic herbicides and methods of delivery to maximize weed control in vegetable production systems. The data will be compiled and readied for presentation and publication. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishments during FY 2004. None B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s). None C. Significant accomplishments/activities that support special target populations. None 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This is a continuation of projects 6222-21000-007-00D and 6222-22000-004- 00D and will extend the findings of work reported in the area of improving or developing production systems, and examination of the physiological consequences to plants caused by stressors, especially weeds. Producers will be able to use the information generated from
this research to develop sustainable production systems to increase yields, and income on family farms. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Technology transferred since 05/06/94 includes presentation of information on the scientific method and agricultural sciences to students from elementary and high schools visiting the South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory. Undergraduate college students were introduced to the scientific method used in research through summer jobs and cooperation in special programs. There was cooperation in field days that demonstrated to producers, and potential producers, cultural methods that will lead to improved yield and information about the importance of weed control in vegetables. A web site
"http://www.lane-ag.org/scarl/prodsys/prodsys.htm" that is periodically updated provides recommendations for vegetable production based on data generated as a result of research. This information makes production system research from this location immediately available to customers. Cooperation with a producer is underway in a State of Oklahoma Crop Diversity grant to develop an organic production system for chile peppers at the grower's location. Work in cooperation with a minority affiliated organization is underway, and centered around the dissemination of information and the development of demonstration projects to improve production practices for vegetable growers in the association. A cooperative effort with the newly formed organization dedicated to organic production of food and fiber to participate in the development of organically based production of vegetables is ongoing.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|