Progress 08/05/14 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Students, Extension Agents, Researchers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?PI and research team shared results of organic sweetpotato trials with farmers, students, community and other stakeholders in small farm expo held in summer 2017 at the TSU farm. Two in-service trainings for the extension agents organized and seminars to growers, students, faculty and extension agents presented on organic sweetpotato production practices, weed control and mulch evaluations. A research poster presented in regional ASHS conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?-In-service Trainings -Small Farm Expo -Website -Fact sheets and research papers -Local media (TV) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?-Write research manuscripts -Share findings and results with stakeholders -Present research papers in TSU Research Symposium -Disseminate findings in workshops such as Tennessee Organci Growers Association conference
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This year cultivar evaluations in fifteen varieties of sweetpotato conductedat the certified organic farmof TSU Agriculture Research and Extension Center (AREC). Three mulch types wheat straw, pine needles and plastic mulch used with control (no mulch) and evaluatedinorganic cropping systems during the growing seasonof 2017. Experimental design was RBD with four replications. No mulch used in control plots. Planting material (slips) were obtained from certified organic growers and planted in rased beds with spaced 120cm in-row and 30cm spacing withinrow. Data were collected on the number of weeds, marketable yield, marketable root weight and size. Data collected on sensory evaluation of sweetpotato analyzed and a manuscript prepared for the peer-review publication. ANother review article on bioactive compounds in sweetpotato prepared and two mansucripts published.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Sochinwechi Nwosisi, D. Nandwani, Dafeng Hui and Ramasamy Ravi. 2017. Sensory evaluation of fourteen organic sweetpotato cultivars. Int. J of Vegetable Sci (Taylor & Francis) http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2017.1346029
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Students, Extension Agents, Researchers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The overall goal of this study was to evaluate yield potential and cultivar evaluations in selected vegetables in organic management system. This year secondvariety trials in tomato, sweetpotato and leafy greens conducted. The trialswereconducted at the certified organic field of TSU Agriculture Research and Extension Center (AREC). Fifteen varieties of sweetpotato, twenty six varieties of tomato (beefsteak, cherry, roma)and twenty five varieties of leafy greens (kale, lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, collards and amaranth) were studied in relationship to organic cropping systems during the growing seasons of 2015and 2016. Experimental design was RBD with four replications. In sweetpotato various mulch treatments applied, pine needles, wheat straw, plastic and control. No mulch used in control plots. Planting material (slips) were obtained from certified organic growers and planted in rased beds with spaced 120cm in-row and 30cm spacing within row. Data were collected on the number of weeds, marketable yield, marketable root weight and size. Taste testing of three cultivars of sweetpotato cultivars conducted in November 2015and data collected on taste, texture, acceptability, skin color and pulp color. In tomato, twenty four heirloom, open pollinated, and two hybrid cultivars were grown in the open field under organic management. The experimental design was randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications consisting of rows spaced 3' apart with plants spaced 2' between each plant within a row. No major insect pest and disease problem observed. Data on yields, growth and TSSbeing analysed. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?PI presented organic vegetable oroduction practices in several workshops (Third Tuesday Workshop), in-service trainings and seminars to growers, students, faculty and extension agents. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Conduct experiments on variety trials in greenhouse and open field. 2. Evaluation of mulches for weed control in organic sweetpotato production. 3. Disseminate results through training workshops, publiations and scientific presentations.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The long-term goal of 3 year project is to conduct cultivar evaluations in selected vegetables that are best suited to organic production in Tennessee, economic benefits and evaluate grafting potential. The specificobjectives of this project are: 1) conduct on-farm vegetable variety trial in organic management system ; 2) evaluate covercrops in weed control and crop rotation; 3) evaluate potentials of vegetable grafting and 4) assessment of nutritional analysis(total soluble solids) in selected vegetables grown under organic production systems.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, Students, Extension agents Changes/Problems:No major change is anticipated except more vegetable crops may be added to study due to stakeholders input. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided experiential learning opportunities for extension agents, research assistants,students and farmer groups in the following specific areas: (1) design of experiments, (2) data collection (production)and analyses, and (3) organic vegetable cultivation. Third Tuesday Workshops organized for the growers and information disseminated through powerpoint presentations, Q&A andextension publications. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project involved two graduate and one undergraduate studentsin the conduct of research and provide extension of information to growers, extension agents and other stakeholders. Information about adaptability andproduction was disseminated through diverse means including the TSU Cooperative Extension web site, facts sheets, training workshops, webinars and field demonstrations to area farmers/producers and local school teachers/visiting students.Farm Fact sheets were given out to attendees at the Third Tuesday Workshops and yearly Small Farm Expo and at field demonstration at Tennesse State Unversity. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Second variety trial in each of the crop (sweetpotato, tomato and leafy greens) will be conducted next year (Summer 2016) at the certified organic farm of TSU Nashville Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC). Data on yield, diseae and pest resistance, andselected agronomic characters in three crops will be evaluated. Effect of various mulches in weed control, weed count and biomass will be calculated. Fifteen varieties of sweetpotato, twenty six varieties of tomato (beefsteak, cherry, roma) and several varieties of selected leafy greens will be evaulated in open field or in controlled environment (hoop house).Experiment design will be a complete randomized block design with fourreplications. Soil test will be conducted on annual basis. Taste testing (sensory evaluations) of sweetpotato varieties will be conducted and data on taste, texture, color (skin and pulp) will be collected. Student experiential research learning and outreach efforts will be made involving both graduate and undergraduate students in the conduct of research, and providing extension information to farmer groups. Information about adaptability/production will be disseminated through diverse means including the TSU Cooperative Extension web site, webinars, in-service trainings,facts sheets and field demonstrations to area farmers/producers, extension agents and local school teachers/visiting students.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overall goal of this study was to evaluate yield potential and cultivar evaluations inselected vegetables in organic management system. This is first year of the project and variety trials in tomato, sweetpotato and leafy greens conducted as niche crops for small-scale farmers in Tennessee. Field study wasconducted at the certified organic field of TSU Agriculture Research and Extension Center (AREC). Fifteenvarieties of sweetpotato, twenty six varieties of tomato (beefsteak, cherry, roma) and twenty five varieties of leafy greens (kale, lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, collards and amaranth)were studied in relationship to organic cropping systems during the growing seasons of 2014 and 2015. Experimental design was RBD with four replications. In sweetpotato various mulch treatments applied, pine needles, wheat straw, plastic and control.No mulch used in control plots. Planting material (slips) were obtained from certified organic growers and planted in rased beds withspaced 120cm in-row and 30cm spacing within row. Data werecollected on the number of weeds, marketable yield, marketable root weight and size. Taste testing of three cultivars of sweetpotato cultivars conducted in November 2014 and data collected on taste, texture, acceptability, skin color and pulp color. In tomato, twenty fourheirloom, open pollinated, and twohybrid cultivars were grown in the open field under organic management. The experimental design was randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications consisting of rows spaced 3' apart with plants spaced 2' between each plant within a row. No major insect pest and disease problem observed. Yields ranged from a high of 31.40 tons/hectare for hybrid Arbason F1 to a low of 3.88 tons/hectare for Hillbilly, which is an open pollinated, indeterminate cultivar. Arbason F1 (31.40 tons/hectare), Gold nugget (28.18 tons/hectare) and Roma (27.19 tons/hectare) had the highest yield & Cherry sweetie (7 °Bx) and Bing cherry (7 °Bx) were high in brix content. Twenty four varieties of six different leafy green vegetable crops were evaluated in replicated trial. Each plothad6 plants spaced at 1' and 1.5' within the rows and between the rows, respectively. Total twenty four cultivars of leafy greens, lettuce(nine), kale (five), collards (six), spinach (two), swiss chard (two), amaranths (two) and mustard green (four) evaluated for yield performance.An organic management system was employed in planting, growing and taking care of the sweetpotato varieties as per standards of National Organic Plan. Fields weredrip irrigated throughout the growing season in all the variety trial plots.Currently, statistical anaylysis of databeing conducted in all the experiments.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Nandwani D. and S. Nwosisi. 2015. Improving sweetpotato production in organic management system in Tennessee. Research Symposium. Tennessee State University, Nashville
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Nandwani D. and S. Nwosisi. 2015. Comparison of mulches for weed management in organic sweetpotato production in Tennessee. National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group (NSCG). Annual meeting, Nashville. P 8.
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Progress 08/05/14 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Farmers, Students, Extension agents Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Procure price quotes of supplies, materials and equipment needed and process purchase orders to procure supplies. It includes pots, potting mix, small tools, labels, seeds etc for the experimental plot at the organic field. 2. Design and conduct experiments on vegetable variety trial, grafting and cover crops evaluation for weed control. 3. Collect data on growth and yield of vegetables, conduct workshop and plant cover crops.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project implemented in August after approval and strategy to conduct project activities prepared. List of supplies, materials and equipment need for the project have been prepared.
Publications
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