IMPROVEMENTS IN VEGETABLE CROP MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION OF VEGETABLE VARIETIES FOR MAINE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1013220
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2017
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
(N/A)
ORONO,ME 04469

Performing Department
Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences

Non Technical Summary
. A multi-year study was initiated in 2012 looking at the effect of various levels of compost application to soil health and quality. The ability to move the houses will make it possible to cover late winter/early spring crops, summer crops, and fall crops with a single structure. The focus and objective of the experiments within the structures will be to develop cropping programs that maintain a healthy sustainable environment within the structure, yet, still produce economic returns.Research developing and evaluating alternatives to plastic agricultural mulch film was initiated in 2010. A joint project was initiated with Verso paper to develop paper based agricultural mulch. This work was discontinued with the reorganization of Verso. In 2016 a new paper mulch project was initiated in conjunction with University of Maine Process Development Center and Sterling Consultants and will continue over the next several years as we seek to make improvements in the formulation of the mulch and then refine production practices for using this product. Concurrent, with the development of the paper mulch we have been testing the currently available degradable alternatives to plastic mulch.Replicated vegetable variety trails will be conducted at the University of Maine's Highmoor with some replication at Rogers farms as well as at selected growers to evaluate the environmental adaptability and horticultural quality of selected vegetable species. Selection of species to evaluate will be made based on input from the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association. Research efforts also include evaluation of potential new crops for commercial production in Maine. The following data will be collected: days to harvest, early yield and total season yield, percentage of culls, quality, special cultural requirements, and disease and pest susceptibilities and resistances.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
205	1499	1060	100%

Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1499 - Vegetables, general/other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

vegetables

season extension

cover crops

compost

high tunnels

Goals / Objectives
To develop and evaluate improved management strategies for hoop house crop production for year long production.To evaluate open field season extension technologies for use by Maine growers.To evaluate other crop management strategies such as compost application rates, intercropping, mulches, and sequential cropping for improving produce yields and quality while improving soil health and reducing agrochemical inputs.To evaluate environmental adaptability and horticultural adaptability of commercially important vegetable species grown in Maine utilizing organic and conventional production practices.

Project Methods
Protected culture: More than 60% of Maine growers use hoop houses. Primarily the structures are used for the production of summer season tomatoes and/or fall through spring greens production with little crop rotation or cover cropping (Fitzgerald and Hutton, 2012). Very little attention is given to maintaining soil health other than application of typically large volumes of compost or manures. Overtime there is a build-up of disease organisms, accumulation of salts and imbalances in plant nutrients resulting in reductions in yield and quality. Two 26 x 96' hoop houses were constructed at Highmoor farm in 2003-04. One house has had tomatoes as a cash crop each year since 2003, while the other house has been used to evaluate a range of crops including peppers, cut flowers, and brambles. Now that our houses have been in production for several years we are able to begin looking at possible solutions to mitigate the effects of continuous tomato production. Compost application has become a cornerstone in the soil health and soil improvement practices on many farms in Maine particularly in high tunnels (Fitzgerald and Hutton, 2016). Highmoor farm is the site of the Maine Compost School and has an active research program in composting evaluating fed stocks. Recently conducted experiments at Highmoor farm have shown statistically different yield responses of sweet corn to compost fed stocks, application amounts and frequencies over multiple years (Hutchinson, Handley, Brinton, and Jackson, 2010). Yield response to various levels of compost has also been shown in winter squash in reduced tillage systems (Rowley, et.al. 2016) A long-term study initiated in 2012 is underway in a high tunnel evaluating the effect of various levels of compost application to soil health and quality. The focus and objective of the experiments within the structures will be to develop cropping programs that maintain a healthy sustainable environment within the structure, yet, still produce economic returns.Recent surveys indicate that 30-50% of growers do not use soil testing to monitor nutrient levels in high tunnels (Fitzgerald and Hutton, 2012; Knewtson et al., 2010). When soil tests are conducted, a significant portion of high tunnels have either extremely high or low soil nutrient status (Grubinger 2010, Hoskins 2013). High-tunnel soil tests over the past 4 years revealed that 50% had Low or Very Low potassium levels, >75% had Excessive phosphorus levels, and >25% had salinity levels high enough to negatively affect sensitive crops (Sideman unpublished). These extremes are undesirable - excessive nutrient applications negatively affect plant growth and have harmful environmental impacts. Under-application reduces yield and can negatively affect fruit quality. For example, several disorders associated with low potassium (yellow shoulder, internal white tissue, uneven ripening) are common in Northern New England high tunnels. There has been limited research to develop/validate soil testing methods and provide fertility recommendations for high tunnel crops. Current techniques to measure and interpret soil nutrient levels are adapted from field production, or based on greenhouse systems using water soluble fertilizers. These do not accurately reflect conditions in high tunnels.Open field culture: Research developing and evaluating alternatives to plastic agricultural mulch film was initiated in 2010. A joint project was initiated with Maine paper producer to develop paper agricultural mulch. However, changes in the paper industry resulted in discontinuation of this project. However, in 2015 a new paper mulch project was initiated with a new partner. Significant progress has been made. We have developed a product that can be applied with commonly available equipment with simple modifications. Yield and quality of several crops (tomato, cabbage, cucumber and pumpkin) grown on paper, biodegradable and standard plastic mulch were not significantly different. The current paper formulation breaks down too rapidly in biologically active soils tests plots. Applications of different coatings and coating thicknesses have shown the rapid degradation can be slowed. The challenge is to balance production costs and the weight of the paper mulch with its longevity. This work will continue over the next several years as we seek to make improvements in the formulation of the mulch and then refine production practices for using this product. Concurrent, with the development of the paper mulch we have been testing the currently available degradable alternatives (Biotello) to plastic mulch.Variety Trials: Replicated vegetable variety trails will be conducted at the University of Maine's Highmoor as well as at selected commercial farms throughout the state, to evaluate the environmental adaptability and horticultural quality of selected vegetable species. The experiments will be conducted in randomized complete blocks with three to five replications using conventional or organic production practices. The following data will be collected: days to harvest, early yield, total season yield, percentage of culls, quality, special cultural requirements, and disease and pest reactions. At harvest, fruit from selected trials will be taken to the University of Maine Consumer Testing Center in Orono for fruit quality evaluation by a panel that will evaluate fruit quality and taste. Various species with high economic value to the growers of Maine will be evaluated each year based on input from Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association. It is expected that crops like pumpkin and sweet corn will be tested each year, thus creating a historical database.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project are the mixed vegetable growers located throughout New England and the eastern United States. However, outreach efforts are primarily focused towards growers located in Maine. Changes/Problems:Research activity was significantly restricted during the 2020 growing season due to the COVID pandemic. Not all planned projects were undertaken in 2020. However, significant progress was made in our tarping/tillage project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The COVID pandemic limited training opportunities during 2020. However, two workshops presenting the tarping and tillage research were presented over Zoom with a total of 150 attendees. A three-meeting workshop focused on high tunnel production was presented in December 2020. More than 80 people attended each session. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Zoom conferences were used to present findings of the 2020 research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In Fall of 2020, a new research associate was hired at Highmoor Farm to assist with the vegetable and tree fruit research programs. Plans for the 2021 growing season are still being developed. The COVID pandemic limited what research could be undertaken in 2020 due to delays in getting crops planted and limits on hiring summer student labor.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Organic vegetable farmers rely on intensive tillage to control weeds, incorporate amendments and residues, and prepare seedbeds. Intensive tillage, however, can lead to a decrease in long-term soil health. The use of black, impermeable,polyethylene tarps on the soil surface prior to planting reduces weed pressure, increases crop yield, and preserves prepared soil for several weeks. Tarping research continued in 2020. We found differences in weed counts at 1st cultivation among tillage (deep, shallow, no-till), tarping, and mulch treatments. Yields of direct seeded beets were greater in plots that were tarped compared to untarped plots. Tarped no-till plots produced yields grater than untarped plots that received either shallow or deep tillage. No research activities took place evaluating paper mulches.

Publications

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

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project are the mixed vegetable growers located throughout New England and the eastern United States. However, outreach efforts are primarily focused towards growers located in Maine. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five workshops were presented to interested service providers including certified crop consultants, USDA/NRCS personal, and extension educators. Additionally, one graduate student completed M.S. degrees during this reporting period. Mikayla Kifer, 2019, Bowdoin College - summer student worker involved with tarping research project. Mikayla was directed in a research project culminating in her presenting at the 2019 Northeast Plant, Pest and Soils Conference. Mykala received a $500 travel award for The American Society for Horticultural Science to attend the conference and placed second in the graduate student poster competition (30 students). Caroline Verrill, 2019, Univ. of Maine summer student worker involved with tarping research project. Caroline was directed in a research project culminating in her presenting at the 2019 Northeast Plant, Pest and Soils Conference. Caroline received a $500 travel award for The American Society for Horticultural Science to attend the conference and placed first in the graduate student poster competition (30 students) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Workshops and extension activities were conducted in Maine, NH, and NY during the past year reaching more than 600 mixed vegetable growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period duties of the PI have changed. The PI has taken on additional administrative duties consequently the research program will become more focused with a greater emphasis placed on the high tunnel and paper mulch projects.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Organic vegetable farmers rely on intensive tillage to control weeds, incorporate amendments and residues, and prepare seedbeds. Intensive tillage, however, can lead to a decrease in long-term soil health. The use of black, impermeable, polyethylene tarps on the soil surface prior to planting reduces weed pressure, increases crop yield, and preserves prepared soil for several weeks. Tarp use increased soil moisture and nitrate concentrations, and increased soil temperature by 1-3°C compared with bare ground at the time of removal. Tarps did not decrease crop residue. Tarp use of three or more weeks reduced weed percent cover by 95-100% at the time of tarp removal, and retained lower weed pressure for 10 days in most site years. Tarp use increased crop yield, and decreased the difference between tillage treatments for weed biomass and crop yield, making reduced tillage a more viable option in organic vegetable systems. Tarp use as a form of reduced tillage and stale seed bedding by growers has become a common practice in Maine and throughout New England.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Rylander, H., A. Rangarajan, R.M. Maher, M. Hutton, N.W. Rowley, M.T. McGrath, and Z. Sexton. (accepted). Black plastic tarps advance organic reduced tillage I: Impact on Soils, Weed Seed Survival, and Crop Residue. Hort Science.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Rylander, H., A. Rangarajan, R.M. Maher, M. Hutton, N.W. Rowley, M.T. McGrath, and Z. Sexton. (accepted). Black plastic tarps advance organic reduced tillage II: Impact on Weeds and Beet Yields. Hort Science.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Sideman, R.G., B. Hoskins , M. Hutton , H. Bryant and E. Sideman. 2020. Optimizing potassium application in organically-grown high tunnel tomato in the northeastern United States. (Accepted) Acta Horticulture.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Rylander, Haley Rebekah, 2019. Use of black polyethylene tarps to advance reduced tillage system for organic beets. M.S. Thesis, Cornell University, https://hdl.handle.net/1813/67688
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Verrill, C., M.S. Kifer, N. Rowley, and M.G. Hutton. 2019 Tarping Duration and Tillage Treatment Effects on Weed Species Composition and Biomass. HortScience 54(9):S417 (abstr). [Originally published in: Flessner, M.L, (ed.). Proc. (Vol. 4). The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. 2019].
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kifer, M.S., C. Verrill, N. Rowley, and M.G. Hutton. 2019. Impact of Tarping Duration and Tillage Intensity on Beet Stand and Yield. HortScience 54(9):S417 (abstr). [Originally published in: Flessner, M.L, (ed.). Proc. (Vol. 4). The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. 2019].
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Rylander, H.R., M.G. Hutton, N. Rowley, and A. Rangarajan. 2019. Reusable Opaque Plastic Tarps Suppress Weeds and Increase Yields in Organic Reduced Tillage Systems for Beets. HortScience 54(9):S420 (abstr). [Originally published in: Flessner, M.L, (ed.). Proc. (Vol. 4). The Northeastern Plant, Pest, and Soils Conference. 2019].

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

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project are the mixed vegetable growers located throughout New England and the eastern United States. However, outreach efforts are primarily focused towards growers located in Maine. Changes/Problems:No major problems to report. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three workshops were presented to interested service providers including certified crop consultants, USDA/NRCS personal, and extension educators. Additionally, two graduate students completed M.S. degrees during this reporting period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from this project have been communicated to stakeholders and communities of interest through a variety of methods. Thirty, one-on-one meetings were held either at the Highmoor Farm experiment station or at growers farms. Two twilight meetings were held with a total atendence of 70 mixed vegetable growers. Research results from this project were also presented at grower conferences in Maine, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period duties of the PI have changed. The PI has taken on additional administrative duties consequently the research program will become more focused with a greater emphasis placed on the high tunnel and paper mulch projects.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To improve the efficiency of organic fertilization in high tunnel tomato, our goal was to determine pre-plant soil K levels required for optimum yields and quality. We conducted experiments in three sites over three years; by first depleting soil K levels and then establishing low to high soil K gradients by applying potassium sulfate prior to planting tomato. We collected yield data, assessed yellow shoulder incidence and severity, and monitored leaf tissue and soil K levels throughout the three years. We found that 1) even extremely high levels of applied K were depleted quickly from high tunnel soils, 2) in general, soil K levels were positively correlated with marketable fruit weight, and negatively correlated with incidence and severity of YS and percentage of cull fruit. However, factors aside from K level appeared to be more important in promotion of YS, as even very high K levels did not reduce YS to acceptable levels.

Publications

• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Vallotton, Jeremiah D., "Reducing Tillage In Small-Scale Permanent Bed Organic Vegetable Production Systems" (2018)
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Rowley, Nicholas W., "Optimizing Fertilizer and Compost Rates in Organic Reduced Till Agriculture" (2018)
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Using Tarps to Reduce Tillage in Small Scale Organic Beet Production (poster) Mark G. Hutton*, University of Maine; Nicholas Rowley, University of Maine; Mark Hutchinson, University of Maine; Ryan Maher, Cornell University; Brian Caldwell, Cornell University; Anusuya Rangarajan, Cornell University and Haley Rylander, Cornell University
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Reusable Black Tarps Suppress Weeds and Make Organic Reduced Tillage More Viable. Haley Rylander*1; Anusuya Rangarajan1; Ryan Maher1; Brian Caldwell1; Mark G. Hutton2 and Nicholas William Rowley2, (1)Cornell University, (2)University of Maine
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Muskmelon Variety Trial at Highmoor Farm, Monmouth, Maine (poster) Nicholas Rowley, University of Maine; Mark G. Hutton*, University of Maine and David Handley, University of Maine
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Large Genotype-Environment Interaction for Challenging Adaptation Traits Promises Greater Genetic Gain in Breeding Broccoli Adapted to Eastern Growing Conditions. (poster) Thomas Bj�rkman*, Cornell University; Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State University; Mark G. Hutton, University of Maine; Mark Farnham, USDA-ARS; Phillip Griffths, Cornell University NYSAES and Margaret Bloomquist, North Carolina State University
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: University of Maine Paper Agricultural Mulch Project (poster) Mark G. Hutton*, University of Maine; Nicholas Rowley, University of Maine and David Handley, University of Maine
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Comparison of Reduced Tillage Practices for Small-Scale Organic Vegetable Production. Ryan Maher1, Anu Rangarajan1, Mark Hutton2, Brian Caldwell1, Mark L. Hutchinson3 and Nicholas Rowley4, (1)Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, (2)University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Monmouth, ME, (3)University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Waldoboro, ME, (4)University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, Orono, ME
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Basal Soil CO2 Respiration during an Organic Cropping Season. William F. Brinton Jr., Woods End Laboratories, Inc., Mount Vernon, ME, Jeremiah F. Vallotton, Woods End Laboratories, Inc., Mt. Vernon, ME, Mark Hutton, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Monmouth, ME and Mark L. Hutchinson, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Waldoboro, ME