Source: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV submitted to
DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL HERBS, HOPS, NEW AND EMERGING CROPS, AND ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR VEGETABLES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006921
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2015
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2020
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
Horticultural Science
Non Technical Summary
To keep agriculture profitable in North Carolina, it is necessary to explore production of new high-value crops, enterprises, and alternative production methods. The objective of this program is to increase diversity, sustainability, and profitability of agriculture in North Carolina and the Southeastern U.S. through development of medicinal herbs, new horticultural crops, and organic and sustainable vegetable production systems. The growth of the craft beer industry has created a rising demand for hops. Hops are traditionally grown in the Pacific Northwest where they are well suited to the dry climate and long days. The high humidity and shorter days in the Southeast make hops production challenging, but that hasn't deterred the 100 plus farmers who have established hop yards so far. Our studies are helping hop farmers improve yields and quality by identifying and developing region appropriate cultivars and cultural practices. Demand for domestically produced medicinal herbs is increasing along with the demand for clean, authenticated herbs. Western North Carolina is home to a large number of native woodland botanicals in high demand. Although many of these are wild-harvested from the forests, more should be cultivated to meet the rising demand. We are working to improve production and propagation methods for some of these herbs. We may also initiate a program to breed improved cultivars of the popular sun-loving herb, Echinacea. Stevia is an increasingly popular natural sweetener that is a new crop for the United States. It is currently being grown in some western states and eastern North Carolina and Georgia, but there are reasons, less disease and potentially higher yields, to believe that there may be advantages to growing it in the mountains of western North Carolina. We are looking at different methods for growing this native South American plant to determine if economically viable yields and quality factors can be met. Demand for organically grown vegetables continues to increase and there is a large population of organic farmers in western North Carolina. Some of the most popular vegetables that consumers want, however, are difficult to produce organically in this region because of high disease pressure. We are working with breeders to develop tomato, cucumber, summer squash, and melon cultivars with good disease resistance for production in this region. Broccoli cultivars for organic production are also being evaluated. Rising fuel costs and the demand for more locally grown produce presents opportunities for East Coast producers. We are working with a team of researchers and public and private breeders to identify and develop broccoli cultivars for the East Coast. In western North Carolina, with our high elevations and cooler temperatures relative to many other areas, we are focused on summer production. By taking advantage of different latitudes and elevations, we hope to be able to provide East Coast broccoli every month of the year.
Animal Health Component
85%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
5%
Applied
85%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2050680106010%
2051440106020%
2051460106010%
2051470106010%
2052220106020%
2052230106020%
2052299106010%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1440 - Cole crops; 1470 - Mushrooms and other edible fungi; 2220 - Medicinal crops, non-narcotic; 0680 - Other products of the forest; 1460 - Tomato; 2299 - Miscellaneous and new crops, general/other; 2230 - Hops;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
Goals/Objectives:The goal of this program is to increase diversity, sustainability, and profitability of agriculture in North Carolina and the Southeastern U.S. through development of new and emerging crops, organic agriculture, and sustainable vegetable production systems.Objectives:Develop economically viable commercial production systems for emerging crops that growers are already producing in the Southeast, including hops, medicinal herbs, and Black Perigord truffles.Explore the feasibility of producing several new crops for western North Carolina, e.g., stevia.Improve aspects of organic vegetable crop production by testing breeding lines and cultivars.Improve sustainability of conventional commercial vegetable production systems by testing breeding lines and cultivars exhibiting enhanced disease and insect resistance and heat tolerance.
Project Methods
Hops: Most information on commercial hops production is from the Pacific Northwest where the bulk of the North American hops acreage is planted. The latitude (hops are a photoperiod sensitive plant), soils, and environment there are very different from that in North Carolina. The well-established Pacific Northwest industry grows hops on high trellises (16 to 18 feet tall) and has equipment and processing facilities custom designed and built for their production systems. The hops industry in the Southeast is only a few years old. North Carolina growers have the opportunity to develop new, innovative production systems appropriate to the local climate, scale of operation, and beer industry needs. Photoperiod and disease are limiting factors at this time. The influence of environment, day length, and cultivar on hop quality as measured by alpha and beta acids and essential oils is largely unknown. Our studies are designed to help farmers grow hops profitably for the local craft beer industry. Ten cultivars of hops are being grown at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in Mills River in a randomized complete block design with four replications. New cultural practices are being tested on these cultivars. A hops breeding program to develop hops for the Southeast may be initiated if results from preliminary efforts now underway are promising. Data on yields, disease and insect damage, alpha and beta acids, and essential oils are being collected. Results are analyzed using standard SAS procedures. Results are being interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional and grower meetings and in extension publications. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, and Facebook are used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Results from the studies are being compared to grower production in the region (new hop growing region) and established hop growing regions (Pacific Northwest) to determine level of improvement. This information is being gathered through surveys of growers. Yields and practices that increase yields closer to the economic threshold and industry standards are noteworthy. Practices that reduce production costs and labor requirements are important indicators of success.Medicinal herbs: Bloodroot and ginseng seed will be collected when mature and subjected to various stratification and handling treatments that are yet to be determined. The replicated studies will be conducted at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in Mills River. Breeding to reduce seed dormancy requirements in these plants will be initiated if results from preliminary studies now underway are promising. Development of an Echinacea cultivar with high root yields and elevated alkamides is being explored. Data on germination will be collected and results will be analyzed using standard SAS procedures. Results are interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional meetings and at grower meetings and in extension publications. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, and Facebook are used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Evaluation will include comparisons to existing methods and cultivars with grower feedback via surveys.Black Perigord truffles: Truffle orchards on the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville and on-farm sites across the state will be used to compare a variety of methods (e.g., microscopic, DNA, and sensory) for determining if the truffle mycorrhizae have colonized the orchard site, giving some indication of the potential success of the orchard. Results will be interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional meetings and at grower meetings and in extension publications. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, videos and Facebook will be used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Evaluation will include comparisons to existing methods used in other countries (Spain, France, New Zealand) and grower feedback via surveys.Stevia: Stevia is being grown at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville in a split-split plot design with four replications to compare mulch (white plastic, black plastic, and bare ground), plant spacing (6 inches, 12 inches, and 18 inches between plants), and harvest frequency (one time versus two times per season). Yields and stevioside content (steviol glycosides-responsible for the sweet taste of stevia) are being collected. Results will be interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional meetings and grower meetings and in extension publications. Possible collaboration with NC State University breeder, Dr. Todd Wehner, will be explored. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, and Facebook are used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Evaluation will include comparison to industry standards in other areas in an effort to determine if stevia production is commercially feasible in the region.Organic vegetable breeding line and cultivar testing: Advanced breeding lines and commercial cultivars of tomatoes, yellow summer squash, cucumbers, and melons (cantaloupe type) are being grown in replicated field trials to screen for disease and insect resistance. These trials are in the certified organic research unit on the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. Germplasm from the most resistant lines will be used by breeders at NC State University, Cornell, Oregon State University, and Organic Seed Alliance to breed improved cultivars for organic farmers. Broccoli cultivars identified during three years of research station trials are being evaluated in trials on organic farms. Results will be interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional meetings and at grower meetings and in extension publications. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, and Facebook are being used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Identification of existing cultivars or development of new cultivars that allow Southeastern growers to produce high yields of these crops without the loss to disease experienced with current cultivars being grown will be the measure of success.Conventional breeding line and cultivar testing: Advanced breeding lines and commercial cultivars of broccoli are being grown in replicated field trials at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville to screen for a large number of quality characteristics. The focus in western North Carolina is on summer production so five planting dates are being evaluated. On-farm trials are also being conducted with lines and cultivars that performed well on the research station. Results are interpreted and presented as scientific papers and at professional meetings and grower meetings and in extension publications. Workshops, field days, agent training, websites, blogs, and Facebook are being used to disseminate the information learned to the appropriate audiences. Identification of existing cultivars or development of new cultivars that allow Southeastern growers to produce high yields of these crops in the middle of the summer will be the measure of success.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, future farmers, extension agents, other professionals who advise or serve farmers, and buyers of raw agricultural products Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We conducted in-service trainings, conferences, field days, and workshops throughout the project period for growers, extension personnel, and industry about our research on broccoli, organic vegetables, hops, truffles, and medicinal herbs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from these studies and projects have been disseminated through our news updates and webpages on our New Crops and Organics Portal at https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu and through various social media outlets. They have also been shared through numerous presentations at workshops and conferences throughout the region. They were included in field days at three research stations and through posters and our program display, which are taken to various events such as the Mother Earth News Fair. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? • Ginseng Studies: Over the course of this project, we cooperated with faculty and students from UNC-Asheville on a ginseng project. We grew native populations of ginseng in a wild-simulated setting to see how bringing wild ginseng into cultivation affected growth and chemistry. The results of these studies are not complete but the populations are healthy and DNA and data have been collected from these plants over the past four years and will continue. We also cooperated with a botanist with the US Forest Service on a project to develop a germplasm repository for native ginseng seed production. The plants are growing well and we are now bagging and collecting seed annually. • Hop Breeding: Dr. Luping Qu has made significant progress in our hop breeding program over the past several years. We now have four research hop yards for the breeding program on two research stations. Yields from the new lines are more than three times what we usually harvest from Cascade, the most widely grown commercial hop variety in the region. Brewers give our two most promising lines high marks for flavor, aroma, and general brewing properties. We expect to have two lines ready to release within a few years. • Multi-State Project to Determine Appropriate Vegetable Varieties and Insect Control Methods for Organic Producers in the Southeast: Large field studies were conducted for four years in the certified organic unit on the research station in Waynesville to look at varieties and insects on cowpeas and summer squash. The plots were scouted throughout the growing season, and in cooperation with all the other states, different organic control methods were employed. For three years, the research station studies were supported by 14 trials on eight farms across North Carolina and South Carolina where organic growers compared production and insect and disease pressure on several varieties of vegetables. In many cases, insect pressure was less in western NC compared to the more southern locations in the project. • Multi-state Project to Develop the Eastern Broccoli Industry through Cultivar Development: We conducted studies on the research station in Waynesville to examine new breeding lines from the USDA, public universities, and private companies to evaluate quality over multiple planting dates. These studies were supported by on-farm trials where yield was evaluated. Over the course of this multi-year project, a number of varieties have been released for the region. • Improving Black Perigord Truffle Production on Filberts: We have two filbert orchards inoculated with the Black Perigord truffles. They serve as the primary test sites for our truffle studies. It took seven years but in November 2017, we harvested our first truffles. More truffles were harvested in 2018, and in 2019 commercially viable yields were obtained. Eastern Filbert Blight continues to be an issue. • Purple Carrots: In a project led by the NC Biotechnology Center, carrots were grown across three locations in North Carolina to evaluate their usefulness for producing natural dyes. Carrots, ranging in color from yellow to orange to purple, were grown in western NC by our staff, and in the piedmont and coastal plain by other cooperators. Multiple planting dates were used. Impressive yields were obtained, particularly in the mountains. Some disease issues were identified that need to be addressed and weed control was a bit of an issue at some sites. The carrots are being analyzed for colorant quality. Commercial interest in this project is high.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kalinowski, J., K. Edmisten, J. Davis, M. McGinnis, K. Hicks, P. Cockson, P. Veazie, and B.E. Whipker (2020). Greenhouse Grown CBD (Cannabidiol) Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Cultivars. Horticulturae 2020, 6(4), 98.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kruger, S.D., J.F. Munsell, J.L. Chamberlain, J.M. Davis, and R.D. Huish. Describing medicinal non-timber forest product trade in eastern deciduous forests of the United States. Forests 11(4):435.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Meadows, I., Gaskill. K., Stefanile, L., Sharpe, S., and Davis, J. Persistence of Tuber melanosporwn in truffle orchards in North Carolina, USA. Mycorrhiza, https:lldoi.org/10.1007ls00572-020-00982-8.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kruger, S.D., J.F. Munsell, J.L. Chamberlain, J.M. Davis, and R.D. Huish. Projecting medicinal plant trade volume and value in deciduous forests of the eastern United States. Forests, 2020 (11):74, 1-19.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Rutto, L., Xu, Y., Ren, S., Scoggins, H., and Davis, J. Preliminary results on hop Humulus lupulus L.)cultivar trials in mid-Atlantic United States. HortTechnology.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Post, A.R, J.M. Davis, M.G. Bloomquist, K..M. Learn, and R. W. Heiniger (2020). 2019 North Carolina Hemp Strain Testing Results - Statewide. Crop and Soil Science Research Report. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/2019-north-carolina-hemp-strain-testing-results-statewide
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Parker, S.E., J.R. Wheeler, C.R. Luckett, D.E. Deyton, J. Davis, T. Bjorkman, and C.E. Sams (2020). Effects of Cooling and Postharvest Storage Methods on G1uocinolates and Volatiles in Broccoli. HortScience Supplement (abstract).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Parker, S.E., Wheeler, G., Luckett, C.R, Deyton, D.E., Davis, J.M., Bjorkman, T., and Sams, C.E. (2020). Effects of Cooling and Postharvest Storage Methods on Carotenoids in Broccoli. HortScience Supplement (abstract).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Qu, L. and Davis, J.M. (2020). Breeding Hops for the South Atlantic Region. HortScitmce Supplement (abstract).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Davis, J.M. (2020). Bare Ground vs. Plastic Mulch. Which is Right for Floral Hemp Growers?. Hemp Grower Magazine, https://www.hempgrower.com/article/floral-hemp-growers-plasticulture-mulch-bare-ground-production/floral-hemp-growers-plasticulture-mulch-bare-ground-production/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Davis, J.M. (2020). An Update on Our Field Research-Hemp, Ginseng, and More!. New Crops & Organics Extension Webportal. https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/2020106/an-update-on-our-field-research-hemp-ginseng-and-more/
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Grandon, B., M.G. Bloomquist, K. Edmisten, J.M. Davis, R.W. Heiniger, and A.R. Post (2020). Effects of Plastic Mulch vs. Open-Beds on Biomass Yield in Six low THC Cannabis sativa Hemp Strains. Hemp Research Updates. For the 2020 National Hemp Researchers Conference, Fort Collins, CO. (abstract)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Davis, J.M. M.G. Bloomquist, K.M. Learn, and G. Casebeer (2020). Effects of Spacing and Mulch Type on Floral Hemp Production in Western North Carolina. Hemp Research Updates. For the 2020 National Hemp Researchers Conference, Fort Collins, CO. (abstract).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Post, A.R., J.M. Davis, K. Edmisten, M.G. Bloomquist, E. Overbaugh, K.M. Learn, and R.W. Heiniger (2020). North Carolina Hemp Strain Testing. Hemp Research Updates. For the 2020 National Hemp Researchers Conference, Fort Collins, CO. (abstract).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Post, A.R, J.M. Davis, M.G. Bloomquist, K.M. Learn, and R. W. Heiniger (2020). 2019 North Carolina Hemp Strain Testing Results - Rowan County. Crop and Soil Science Research Report. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/2019-north-carolina-hemp-strain-testing-results-rowan


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, future farmers, extension agents, other professionals who advise or serve farmers, and buyers of raw agricultural products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We conducted in-service trainings, conferences, field days, and workshops thorughout the year for growers, extension personnel, and industry about our projects on vegetables, organics, hops, truffles, and medicinal herbs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from these studies and projects have been disseminated through our news updates and webpages on our New Crops and Organics Portal at https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu and through various social media outlets. They have also been shared through numerous presentations at workshops and conferences throughout the region. They were included in field days at three research stations and through posters and our program display which are taken to various events such as the Mother Earth News Fair. Our most notable event in 2019 was the South Atlantic Hops Conference which our program organized and hosted in Asheville, NC in March 2019. Over 200 hop growers and researchers from across the eastern US participated. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The research station and on-farm studies for the Eastern broccoli project will continue. The hops breeding program will continue to be expanded to include more crosses and expanded testing across the Southeast. In the organic study led by Tuskegee Univeristy, organic insectide treatments will be tested on several varieties of vegetables. Those same crops will be grown on a large number on-farm tests in NC and SC. The truffle research orchard will be expanded to include new host tree species. Our program will collaborate on two new organic tomato breeding projects. Woodland botanicals research will be expanded.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Ginseng Studies: We continued to cooperate with faculty and students from UNC-Asheville on a ginseng project. We are growing native populations of ginseng in a wild-simulated setting to see how bringing wild ginseng into cultivation affects growth and chemistry. We also cooperated with a botanist with the US Forest Service on a project to develop a germplasm repository for native ginseng seed production. Hop Breeding: Dr. Luping Qu has made significant progress in our hop breeding program over the past year. To accomodate his efforts, we expanded the breeding hop yard and added a small male hop yard (for pollen production) at the research station in Mills River, and built a new breeding hop yard on the research station in Waynesville. Yields from our new lines are more than three times what we usually harvest from Cascade, the most widely grown commercial hop variety in the region. After we collected all of our yield and quality data and submitted samples to the lab for analysis, we provided cones to a local brewery to determine if these selections made good beer. The master brewer used two selections to make single hop beers. His reviews were very positive. Multi-State Project to Determine Appropriate Vegetable Varieties and Insect Control Methods for Organic Producers in the Southeast: Two large field studies were conducted in the certified organic unit on the research station in Waynesville to look at varieties and insects on cowpeas and summer squash. The plots were scouted throughout the season, and in cooperation with all the other states, different organic control methods were employed. The research station studies were supported by 14 trials on eight farms across North Carolina and South Carolina where organic growers compared production and insect and disease pressure on several varieties of vegetables. Multi-state project to develop the eastern broccoli industry through new cultivar development: We conducted studies on the research station in Waynesville to examine new breeding lines from the USDA, public universities, and private companies to evaluate quality over multiple planting dates. These studies were supported by two on-farm trials where yield was evaluated. Improving Black Perigord Truffle Production on Filberts: We have two filbert orchards inoculated with the Black Perigord truffles. They serve as the primary test sites for our truffle studies. It took seven years but in November 2017 we harvested our first truffles. More truffles were harvested in 2018. The 2019 to 2020 harvest season is looking to be the best ever with over 30 harvested so far. Purple Carrots: In a project led by the NC Biotechnology Center, carrots were grown across three locations in North Carolina to evaluate their usefulness for producing natural dyes. Carrots, ranging in color from yellow to orange to purple, were grown in western NC by our staff, and in the piedmont and coastal plain by other cooperators. Multiple planting dates were used. Impressive yields were obtained, particularly in the mountains. Some disease issues were identified that need to be addressed and weed control was a bit of an issue at some sites. The carrots are being analyzed for colorant quality. Commercial interest in this project is high.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kruger, S.D., J.F. Munsell, J.L. Chamberlain, J.M. Davis, and R.D. Huish. Projecting medicinal plant trade volume and value in deciduous forests of the eastern United States. Forests 2020 (11):74 (1-19)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chitturi, A., J. Davis, M. Bloomquist, F. Quarcoo, and K. Kpomblekou-A. Insect population dynamics, varietal preference and performance of organic bio-pesticides. Professional Agricultural Workers Journal 7(1):11.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Egel, D.S., L. Hoagland, J. Davis, C. Marchino, and M. Bloomquist. Efficacy of organic disease control products on common foliar diseases of tomato in field and greenhouse trials. Crop Protection 122 (2019):90-97.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kruger, S.D. J.F. Munsell, J.L. Chamberlain, J.M. Davis, and R.D. Huish. Describing medicinal non-timber forest product trade in eastern deciduous forests of the United States. Forests.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chamberlain, J.L., J, Davis, J. Munsell, and A. Ares Agroforestry Training Manual Forest Farming Practices. Publisher: University of Missouri, Center for Agroforestry, pp. 115-126. (with 2019 update upon reprinting)
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Davis, J.M. Published 22 news updates about our research and related activities on the NC Extension New Crops & Organics website (https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/)


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, future farmers, extension agents, other professionals who advise or serve farmers, and buyers of raw agricultural products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We conducted trainings, conferences, field days, and workshops throughout the year for growers, extension personnel, and industry about our projects on vegetables, organics, hops, truffles, and medicinal herbs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of these studies and projects have been disseminated through our news posts and webpages on our New Crops and Organics Portal at http://ncherb.org. They have also been shared through numerous presentations at workshops and conferences throughout the region. They were included in field days at the research stations and through posters and our program display which are taken to various events such as the Mother Earth News Fair. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The research station and on-farm studies for the Eastern Broccoli project will continue. The hops breeding project will be expanded to include more crosses and lines in four test hopyards and in the greenhouse. In the study led by Tuskegee University, organic insectide treatments will be tested on several varieties of tomatoes, Southern peas, summer squash, and sweetpotatoes. Those same crops will be grown on a large number of on-farm tests in NC and SC.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our studies are focused on new and emerging crops, vegetable variety improvement for organic and conventional growers, and improving organic production systems. To that end, we: Threatened Woodland Botanicals: Cooperated with faculty and students at UNC-Asheville and the USFS on maintaining germplasm and bringing native plants into cultivation. Organic Tomato Fungicide Study: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This field study was a replicated trial designed to examine the efficacy of a number of organic fungicides. The study was replicated at Purdue. Although the study was well designed and very well executed, there was very little disease pressure until late in the season. There is a lot of interest on the part of growers to see results from this research. This was the third year of this study and a manuscript is now in preparation on it. This project has a webpage on eOrganic at eorganic.info/tomi. This study was located in the certified organic unit at the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC. Multi-State Project to Develop New Tomato Varieties and Breeding Lines for Organic Producers: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This study is replicated at all of the sites and designed to test new breeding lines being developed by the breeders on the project and comparing them to varieties that are commonly grown by organic farmers or that have traits we are interested in. The most important quality for organic growers in North Carolina is resistance to late blight, early blight, and Septoria. So those are the diseases we are concentrating on. Data were collected on disease and insect pressure and symptoms, fruit yield, and quality. The project has a webpage on eOrganic at eorganic.info/tomi. The study is located in the certified organic unit at the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC. The research station study was supported by two on-farm trials. Multi-State Project to Determine Appropriate Vegetable Varieties and Insect Control Methods for Organic Producers in the Southeast: Two large field studies were conducted in the certified organic unit on the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville to look at varieties and insects on cowpeas and summer squash. The plots were scouted throughout the season, and in cooperation with all the other states, different organic control methods were employed. The research station studies were supported by 15 on-farm trials across North Carolina and South Carolina where organic growers compared production and insect and disease pressure on several varieties of vegetables. Hop Breeding: There is demand for locally grown hops but the commercial varieties available were bred for the northern latitudes. Since hops are sensitive to day length, this seriously impacts our yields. Short-stature sports that exhibit high yields and good disease resistance were grown on three cooperating growers' farms and on two research stations. This effort is led by Dr. Luping Qu, research specialist and breeder, in my program. A new breeding hop yard was established at the research station in Mills River, giving us three research hop yards to work in. Hundreds of crosses were made and are being screened in the field and greenhouse. These studies are being conducted at the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC and at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC. Organic Tomato and Onion Variety Trials: A well-known organic seed company had us test a number of their new tomato and onion varieties in a replicated trial in the certified organic unit at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville. The onions did exceptionally well in the study and growers took note of that. Multi-state project to develop the eastern broccoli industry through new cultivar development: We conducted studies on the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville to examine new breeding lines from the USDA, public universities, and private companies to evaluate quality over multiple planting dates. These studies were supported by on-farm trials where yield was evaluated. Multi-State Radish Variety Trials: A group of horticulturists at the Southeastern Extension Vegetable Working Group collaborated on a multi-state radish variety trial. This was an attempt to organize a multi-state group to fill the gap that currently exists in vegetable variety testing in the region. Our trial was conducted on the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in Mills River. The results are posted here Improving Black Perigord Truffle Production on Filberts: We have two filbert orchards inoculated with the Black Perigord truffles. They serve as the primary test sites for our truffle studies. In one of our studies, we are trying to determine the most effective, efficient, and least costly method for testing truffle orchards for the presence of the Black Perigord truffle. This study is being done in collaboration with Inga Meadows who is conducting some of the DNA analytical work. We are also working with two commercial labs and a truffle dog trainer in Tennessee. Our testing results indicated we had black truffle present in our orchards and in November 2017 this was confirmed when we harvested our first truffles seven years after planting the trees. More truffles were harvested in 2018. In cooperation with a truffle researcher in Spain, during the summer of 2017, we reduced the tree population in some parts of the orchards and added a reinoculation treatment. We monitored tree growth, brule, and truffle presence in 2018. We are also experimenting with the use of wood ash to increase soil pH. These orchards are frequently visited by potential truffle growers. This study is located at the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC.

Publications

  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chamberlain, J.L., Davis, J., Duguid, M., Ellum, D., Farrell, M., Friday, J.B., Fuller, D., Kruger, S., Marcano-Vega, H., McCoy, J., Page, D., Prisley, S., Young, J., Zasada, J. Assessment of nontimber forest products in the United States under changing conditions. Chapter 2 - Nontimber forest products and production. General Technical Report SRS-GTR-232, 268p. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Editors Chamberlain, J. L., Emery, M.R., Patel-Weynand, T.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Egel, D.S., L. Hoagland, J. Davis, C. Marchino, and M. Bloomquist. Crop Protection. Efficacy of organic disease control products on common foliar diseases of tomato in field and greenhouse trials.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hoagland, L., Colley, M., Dawson, J., Davis, J., Egel, D., Gu, S., Mengiste, T., Myers, J., and Zystro, J. Tomato organic management and improvement project (TOMI): an interdisciplinary approach to managing foliar diseases in tomato. J. Acta Horticulturae 1207:203-210.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Wheeler, J., H. Hammock, C. Sames, C.R. Luckett, T. Bjorkman, J. Davis, and M. Gomez. Storage temperature and time impacts glucosinolates and flavor volatiles of broccoli grown on the East Coast. HortScience 53(9) Supplement S353. (Abstract)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Davis, J., M. Bloomquist, T. Bjorkman, and P. Griffiths. Summer production of broccoli in western North Carolina. HortScience 53(9): Supplement S357. (Abstract)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Bjorkman, T., J. Davis, M.G. Hutton, M. Farnham, P. Griffiths, and M. Bloomquist. A large genotype-environment interaction for challenging adaptation traits promises greater genetic gain in breeding broccoli adapted to eastern growing conditions. HortScience 53(9): Supplement S377. (Abstract)
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Qu, L. and Davis, J.M. New Crops and Organics Program Web Portal Breeding Hop Varieties for North Carolina. https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/specialty-crops/nc-hops/breeding-hop-varieties/ NC State Extension
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Davis, J.M. New Crops and Organics Program Web Portal Growing Radishes in Western North Carolina. https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/2018/05/growing-radishes-in-western-north-carolina/ NC State Extension
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Davis, J.M. 2018 Radish Variety Trial in Western North Carolina. https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/2018-radish-variety-trial-in-western-north-carolina/ NC State Extension
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Kemble, J.M. and 57 other authors from 12 institutions. 2018 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook (hardcopy and online). https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeastern-us-vegetable-crop-handbook. 286 pages. Meister Media Worldwide.


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, future farmers, extension agents, other professionals who advise or serve farmers, and buyers of raw agricultural products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training for extension agents from North Carolina and South Carolina was offered on medicinal herbs and industrial hemp following the Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo in Myrtle Beach, SC. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of these studies and projects have been disseminated through our news posts and webpages on our New Crops and Organics Portal at http://ncherb.org. They have also been shared through numerous presentations at workshops and conferences throughout the region. They were included in field days at the research stations and through posters and our program display which are taken to various events such as the Mother Earth News Fair. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The organic tomato breeding and fungicide trials, including the on-farm component will continue through 2018. We will test a variety of tomatoes, cucumber, and onion varieties. The industrial hemp studies will expand to include production for floral parts. The research station and on-farm studies for the Eastern Broccoli project will continue. The hops breeding project will be expanded to include more crosses and lines in two test hopyards and in the greenhouse. In a new study led by Tuskegee University, organic insectide treatments will be tested on several varieties of tomatoes, Southern peas, summer squash, and sweetpotatoes. Those same crops will be grown on a large number of on-farm tests.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our studies are primarily focused on emerging crops and variety improvement for organic production systems. Our research on organic tomato breeding has helped test and develop new varieties and breeding lines to help organic farmers produce tomatoes under challenging environmental and disease conditions. In addition to the research station study which has been ongoing for several years, an on-farm component was added. Our study on organic fungicides for tomatoes is providing organic farmers with information on more effective products for controlling devastating tomato diseases such as late blight. Our hops variety trials, cultural practice studies, and breeding efforts are helping growers who are determined to build a South Atlantic hops industry. Our long-running studies and outreach efforts on growing medicinal herbs, particularly forest herbs such as ginseng and goldenseal, continue to help forest landowners plant understory crops to increase the diversity and profitablity from their wooded lands. In 2017 we initiated studies on industrial hemp production for North Carolina. Organic Tomato Variety and New Breeding Lines Study: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This study is replicated at all of the sites and designed to test new breeding lines being developed by the breeders on the project and comparing them to varieties that are commonly grown by organic farmers or that have traits we are interested in. The most important quality for organic growers in North Carolina is resistance to late blight, early blight, and Septoria. So those are the diseases we are concentrating on. Data were collected on disease and insect pressure and symptoms, fruit yield, and quality. Septoria was the major disease in 2017. Organic Tomato Fungicide Study: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This field study was a replicated trial designed to examine the efficacy of a number of organic fungicides. The study was replicated at Purdue. Although the study was well designed and very well executed, as in 2016 there was very little disease pressure in 2017 until late in the season when Septoria appeared. There is a lot of interest on the part of growers to see results from this research. Organic Tomato Variety Trials: Vitalis Seeds and High Mowing Seeds. There is interest on the part of a number of organic seed companies to capture more market share in the Southeast. We assist them and our growers by testing their varieties under our growing conditions. Truffle Detection in Two Filbert Orchards: We have two filbert orchards inoculated with the Black Perigord truffles. They serve as one of the test sites for our truffle detection study in which we are trying to determine the most effective, efficient, and least costly method for testing truffle orchards for the presence of the Black Perigord truffle. Our testing results indicate we have black truffle present in our orchards but we have not found any truffles, yet. We determined that DNA testing is necessary to determine if T. melanosporum is present because it is too difficult to differentiate microscopically from other Tuber species. We also established light, wood ash, and Spanish well treatments. These orchards are frequently visited by potential truffle growers. Hop Breeding: There is demand for locally grown hops but the commercial varieties available were bred for the northern latitudes. Since hops are sensitive to day length, this seriously impacts our yields. A hops breeding program was officially launched in 2017. Hundreds of crosses were grown out and tested for Downy mildew resistance and various growth characteristics. Selected sports are being grown on farms in the state. Hops Training Study: Time of training is variety and location specific. A preliminary study indicates that hops should not be pruned in the southern NC mountains after May 1. Hop Variety Trial: The replicated hop variety trial was established in 2011 on a tall trellis system. The information from this study has been invaluable to growers and researchers throughout the region. We have identified the top performing varieties for the region and identified one variety, Canadian Red Vine, that no brewers have any experience with. We continue to evaluate new varieties and now use a mechanical harvester for collecting yield data.Industrial Hemp: 2017 was the first year industrial hemp could be grown in North Carolina. We established a study in western North Carolina to grow 15 varieties of grain, fiber, and dual purpose varieties. They were drilled or broadcast. The field was well prepared and fertilized as per corn recommendations. It was also irrigated. Yields and quality of grain and fiber were high. Eastern Broccoli Project: the second stage of this multi-state project ranging from Maine to Florida was initiated. Quality trials of public and private breeding lines were evaluated on a research station in western North Carolina. Yield trials were conducted on two cooperating farms.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hoagland, L., Colley, M., Dawson, J., Davis, J., Egel, D., Gu, S., Mengiste, T., Myers, J., and Zystro, J. Tomato Organic Management and Improvement Project (TOMI): an Interdisciplinary Approach to Managing Foliar Diseases in Tomato. J. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hoagland, L., Colley, M., Dawson, J.C., Davis, J., Egel, D.S., Gu, S., Mengiste, T., Myers, J.R., and Zystro, J. The Tomato Organic Management and Improvement Project (TOMI): An Interdisciplinary Approach to Managing Foliar Diseases in Tomato. HortScience 52(9):S333.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wheeler, J., Sams, C., Bjorkman, T., Davis, J., and Gomez, M. Storage Temperature and Time Impacts the Quality of East Coast Broccoli. HortScience 52(9):S336 .
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: New Crops and Organics Program Web Portal. http://ncherb.org
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 2017 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook, The Packer. J.M. Kembler and 57 authors from 12 institutions.


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers, future farmers, extension agents, other professionals who advise or serve farmers, and buyers of raw agricultural products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In-service training offered for NC Extension Agents: Growing Hops in North Carolina Growing Truffles in North Carolina Farmlink-In-Service Training. Professional development included participation in the American Society for Horticultural Science conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1. Alternative Crops and Organics Research Tour: This was a morning tour of the organic tomato, organic fungicide, organic cucurbit, organic pepper, organic vegetable sanitizing solutions, biodynamic pepper, hops, and truffle research. There were 86 people registered for the event. 2. Breeders and Seed Company Reps Breeders, seed company reps, and staff from the Organic Seed Alliance made a special trip to the research station to visit our organic tomato, pepper, cucumber, melon, and squash breeding line and variety trials. There were about a dozen people in attendance. 3. Tomato Field Day We helped plan and organize the annual tomato field day. We conducted a Tomato Taste Test and gave presentations on Multi-State Projects to Breed Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash and Melons for Organic Produce and Testing Fungicides for Certified Organic Tomato Production. There were 200+ people in attendance. 4. Mountain Research Station Annual Field Day. Our organic research on tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and melons was highlighted in a stop on this afternoon field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The multi-state Organic Tomato Fungicide study will be repeated in 2017. A new Hop Breeding Project will be initiated in 2017. The Hop Variety Trial will be modified for 2017. The multi-state Forest Farming project will continue in 2017. The multi-state Eastern Broccoli Project will resume in 2017. The WNC Farmlink program will continue in 2017. A new multi-state Organic Vegetable project will be initiated in 2017.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our studies are primarily focused on emerging crops and variety improvement for organic production systems. Our research on organic tomato and cucurbit breeding have helped test and develop new varieties and breeding lines to help organic farmers produce sensitive vegetables, such as tomatoes and squash, under challenging environmental and disease conditions. Our study on organic fungicides for tomatoes is providing organic farmers with information on more effective products for controlling devastating tomato diseases such as late blight. Our hops variety trials, cultural practice studies, and breeding efforts are helping growers who are determined to build a South Atlantic hops industry. Our long-running studies and outreach efforts on growing medicinal herbs, particularly forest herbs such as ginseng and goldenseal, continue to help forest landowners plant understory crops to increase the diversity and profitablity from their wooded lands. Organic Cucurbit Variety and New Breeding Lines Study: This study is part of a multi-state study led by Cornell University with land grant institutions, small seed companies, and a non-profit organization as partners. This was the third year in which new breeding lines and promising varieties for the area were examined in a replicated field trial. Summer squash, cucumbers, and melons were evaluated for disease and insect resistance and fruit yield and quality. Our site is particularly useful for screening for Downy Mildew resistance. There were a large number of visitors to this study in 2016. New varieties released through the project include DMR 264 cucumber and Trifecta muskmelon. Organic Tomato Variety and New Breeding Lines Study: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This study is replicated at all of the sites and designed to test new breeding lines being developed by the breeders on the project and comparing them to varieties that are commonly grown by organic farmers or that have traits we are interested in. The most important quality for organic growers in North Carolina is resistance to late blight, early blight, and Septoria. So those are the diseases we are concentrating on. Data were collected on disease and insect pressure and symptoms, fruit yield, and quality. Organic Tomato Fungicide Study: This study is part of a multi-state project led by Purdue University with cooperators at land grant institutions and a non-profit organization from as far west as Oregon, north to Wisconsin, and south to North Carolina. This field study was a replicated trial designed to examine the efficacy of a number of organic fungicides. The study was replicated at Purdue. Although the study was well designed and very well executed, there was very little disease pressure until late in the season. There is a lot of interest on the part of growers to see results from this research. Organic Pepper Variety Trials: Vitalis Seeds is a fairly new company in the U.S. organic seed industry. They have little knowledge of how their vegetable varieties perform in the Southeast so we worked with them on a pepper variety trial. This was a replicated trial and showcased some impressive pepper varieties. Growers were very interested in the high yields and quality of the peppers included in the study. Organic Tomatoes and Lunchbox Peppers Washing Solutions Study: This study is part of a study led by University of Tennessee and faculty on the NC Research campus in Kannapolis. This was the final year of the study. Our role was rather small on the research end; we grew tomatoes and peppers for the washing solutions studies taking place in the labs in Tennessee and in Kannapolis. The research plot, however, was an excellent teaching tool and was used to explain why there is a need for organic washing solutions and to educate organic growers on the safety issues with their current methods. Truffle Detection in Two Filbert Orchards: We have two filbert orchards inoculated with the Black Perigord truffles. They serve as one of the test sites for our truffle detection study in which we are trying to determine the most effective, efficient, and least costly method for testing truffle orchards for the presence of the Black Perigord truffle. Our testing results indicate we have black truffle present in our orchards but we have not found any truffles, yet. These orchards are frequently visited by potential truffle growers. Hop Breeding: There is demand for locally grown hops but the commercial varieties available were bred for the northern latitudes. Since hops are sensitive to day length, this seriously impacts our yields. We started selecting sports/mutants that we are propagating for further evaluation. A hops breeder provided us with breeding material, including seeds and male plants, with which we set up a breeding area. Hops Topping Study: Hops are very sensitive to day length and our short days in North Carolina limit yields. There is some evidence in the literature and from growers that removing the apical meristem could boost yields. The practices we used were based on experiences our campus based collaborators had in the Phytotron. In the field, those practices resulted in very short plants. Hop Variety Trial: The replicated hop variety trial was established in 2011 on a tall trellis system. The information from this study has been invaluable to growers and researchers throughout the region. We have identified the top performing varieties for the region and identified one variety, Canadian Red Vine, that no brewers have any experience with. So this year some local breweries did small test batch brews to help us evaluate the quality of variety. Results are favorable so far.In 2016 we used a mechanical harvester for the first time. We hosted monthly hop yard tours/workshops which growers and extension agents appreciate.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Perkins-Veazie, P., Gorman, S., Davis, J., Ducharme, D., Wszelaki, A., and Critzer, F. Publication Date: 2016 Page Number(s): S250 HortScience-Supplement Essential Oil Disinfectant on Appearance and Composition of Organically Grown Tomatoes Volume & Issue: 51(9)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mazourek, M., Colley, M., Davis, J., Ojiambo, P., Hoffmann, M., Murphy, J., Seaman, A., Smart, C., Kleese, T., Reid, J., and Stewart, C. Publication Date: 2016 Page Number(s): S244 HortScience-Supplement ESO-Cuc, the Eastern Sustainable Organic Cucurbit Project Volume & Issue: 51(9)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hoagland, L., Colley, M., Dawson, J., Davis, J., Egel, D., Gu, S., Mengiste, T., Myers, J., and Zystro, J. Acta Horticulturae Tomato Organic Management and Improvement Project (TOMI): an Interdisciplinary Approach to Managing Foliar Diseases in Tomato
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Davis, J.M. Publication Date: March 2, 2016 Suggested Good Agricultural and Collection Practices for North Carolina Medicinal Herbs Publisher: NC Extension Volume & Issue: AG-810
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Website for information on all projects and commodities in our program Davis, J.M. Publication Date: 2016 NCHerb.org Volume & Issue: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/herbs/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Website for information on organic agriculture in NC Davis, J.M. Publication Date: 2016 NCOrganic.org Volume & Issue: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/ncorganic/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Handbook that is updated and published annually Kemble, J. and 65 authors from 12 institutions (Davis, J. is state coordinator for NC) Publication Date: 2016 2016 Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook Volume & Issue: thepacker.com/sites/produce/files/SEVegGuide_2016.pdf