Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:University of Florida The target audience includes: certified organic strawberry growers, service providers, stakeholders, Extension personnel, agricultural consultants, researchers, industry representatives, and the general public. For the on-farm research and outreach objectives, our target audience is primarily comprised of two different groups. One target audience is local organic strawberry producers. The second target audience is local service providers that work with strawberry producers. Our research matters to these two groups as the primary users and future adopters of the technologies we are developing. We value input from end-users in order to maximize technology adoption rate. The target audience for the economic research is: strawberry growers, strawberry retailers, researchers working on sustainable strawberry production. Florida A&M University The target audience reached during this reporting period included organic farm producers. Others participating included small farm and urban farm producers as well as Annual Field Day participants from Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties in North Florida and Thomas and Grady Counties in South Georgia. While the majority of our clientele are African American, an ethnically diverse clientele benefits from the Florida A&M University Extension/Research and Extension Center educational opportunities. North Carolina A&T State University For the work in North Carolina, the target audiences are small farmers who are interested in growing organic strawberries in both field and protected production systems, and selling strawberries in direct markets. Changes/Problems:Some strawberry plants significantly declined following field transplanting in the main on-station trial and had to be replanted due to the confounding effects of irrigation issue and soil-borne pathogen problem. Root dipping with Actinovate AG biological fungicide was conducted during replanting to help protect the plants, while irrigation was more carefully monitored to avoid water stress to plants. High weed pressure was encountered in the nutrient management experiment field, which might have interfered with the nutrient management treatments. A better weed management plan will be implemented during the 2017-2018 season. With the arthropod studies there were three problems. The first was that the area used for evaluating OMRI-approved products for managing SWD was too small. In the upcoming season, we are going to plant a larger area that will allow each replication to consist of 5 small plots of strawberries rather than 5 single rows. The second problem was that the TSSM population was too low to conduct the experiment on site-specific placement of predatory mites. Having a separate site for evaluating OMRI-approved products for managing SWD will give us a second location to conduct the experiment if the TSSM population in the main on-station experiment is again low. Since it will be a separate site, the naturally occurring population of TSSM could be increased by inoculating plants with mites from a lab colony if necessary. The third problem was that the mite population in the small site used for evaluating OMRI-approved products for managing TSSM was too low to justify the application of chemicals. Even introducing spider mites did not help the population build up. Therefore, the experiment was carried out near the end of the season and environmental conditions such as temperature may have influenced the results. The low cost crop tunnel design will be improved so that the structures can withstand wind speeds greater than 30 mph. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Outreach Objective 1: We will engage producer and county Extension faculty members in research and outreach planning, implementation and outcomes We conducted a research assessment of the main on-station experiment with strawberry producers. Local strawberry producers and service providers assessed our research plots and provided feedback regarding what they liked about our research, what they disliked, and what was missing that we should consider in the future. We used feedback from the research assessment to modify our research design for the 2017-2018 strawberry production season. Specifically, we eliminated one strawberry cultivar, Strawberry Festival, which was generally disliked by strawberry producers. By integrating end-user feedback, we contribute to expediting technology adoption in agriculture. Outreach Objective 2: We will demonstrate the feasibility of organic strawberry production in low cost crop tunnels Four strawberry cultivars (Strawberry Festival, Florida Radiance, WinterstarTM, and Sensation™) were grown using organic methods at the Florida A&M University Research and Extension Center in Quincy, FL either in an open-field system or within a low cost crop tunnel crop production system during Fall 2016 through mid-Spring 2017. The preliminary analysis of the yield data suggests that fruit weights of the four cultivars evaluated were higher in the low cost crop tunnel than in the open field. Outreach Objective 3: We will provide Extension faculty members, other local service providers, and growers with research results and recommendations We conducted one training with service providers familiar with organic cropping systems. Local service providers assessed our research plots and provided feedback regarding what they liked about our research, what they disliked, and what was missing that we should consider in the future. Students/postdoctoral Both graduate and undergraduate students have been involved in the project at the University of Florida (UF) and at North Carolina A&T State University. At UF, graduate students have been trained on procedures for social and economic research. For example, students have completed IRB training for human subject-related research, and learned to develop instruments for questionnaires and spreadsheet template for budget analysis of production systems. Dr. Preeti Ahuja (post-doctoral research associate) has participated in the following training opportunities and workshops: Training on "SAS Statistical Software" by Prof. Edzard van Santen, Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville from January 10, 2017 to February 01, 2017. Workshop on "New Refworks" at the University of Florida, Gainesville, on January 25, 2017. Workshop on "Author's Rights & Responsibilities: Understanding Copyright & Open access in Modern Scholarly Publishing" at University of Florida, Gainesville, on February 1, 2017. Completed Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program on 'Responsible Conduct of Research' on February 2, 2017. Participated in a workshop on "How to Publish" at University of Florida, Gainesville on March 31, 2017. The group at North Carolina A&T State University presented the strawberry research results at several professional conferences: Sanjun Gu, John E. Beck and Joseph A. Moore. 2016. Including Low Tunnels in a High Tunnel for Winter Strawberry Production in Cold Hardiness Zone Seven. American Society for Horticultural Science conference, Atlanta, GA. Sanjun Gu, John E. Beck and Joseph A. Moore. 2016. Organic Strawberries in High Tunnels: Cultivar Selection and Economics. The 7th National Small Farm Conference. Virginia Beach, VA. Sanjun Gu. Performance of ten strawberry cultivars in organically managed high tunnels in North Carolina. The 18th Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. (ARD) Biennial Research Symposium. April 1-4, 2017. Atlanta, GA. Sanjun Gu. Characterizing high tunnel and low tunnel microclimates in North Carolina. The 18th ARD Biennial Research Symposium. April 1-4, 2017. Atlanta, GA. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Florida Field research assessment of the organic strawberry cultivar evaluation trial was conducted during the production season. Some of the cultivar assessment information was presented at the Florida A&M University High Tunnel Workshop. Liburd O.E. 2017. Presentation on monitoring for SWD in small fruit crops. Several examples were taken from the strawberry production system. Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society of America, Memphis Tennessee. A workshop on High Tunnels was offered in the Spring of 2017 that provided participants with information on the Pros and Cons of High Tunnels, Site Prep and Crop Selection for High Tunnels, Hot Pepper and Strawberry Production Results in a Low Cost High Tunnel, Conservation Biocontrol of Insect Pest, Enhancing Natural Enemies in High Tunnels, High Tunnel Cost Sharing Opportunities, High Tunnel Growers Resources and Supplies, and a hands-on activity on How to Construct a low cost high tunnel. North Carolina Gu, S. et al. High Tunnel Workshop Series. Six workshops on high tunnel production and marketing. Oct. 2016 to Mar. 2017. Gu, S. and J. Beck. 2016 High tunnel research updates. 2017 Small Farm Week. March 22, 2017. Gu, S. High tunnel advanced topics. 2017 Orange County Ag. Summit. February 20, 2017. Gu, S. Season extension with high tunnels. Vance County vegetable symposium. February 15, 2017. Gu, S. The benefits of using high tunnels. 2017 Delaware Ag. Expo. January 11, 2017. Gu, S. High/low tunnel strawberry research update. 2017 SE Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference and Tradeshow. January 7, 2017. Savannah, GA. Gu, S. High tunnel and season extension. Tri-county Ag. Expo. Dec. 6, 2016. Cherokee/Marble, NC. Gu, S. Getting started with high tunnels. NC State Extension Conference. Nov. 2016. Raleigh, NC. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research Objective 1: Assess the Efficacy of Off-season Cover Crops on Soil Health and in Suppressing Weeds, Sting Nematodes, Arthropod Pests, and Pathogens The main on-station trial will be repeated with cover crops to be reestablished in summer 2017 within the same whole plots as for 2016. This will allow us over the life of the project to compare the cumulative effects of the cropping systems. Research Objective 2: Evaluate the Performance of Strawberry Cultivars in Open Field Organic Production Systems Four strawberry cultivars will again be evaluated within the subplots of the main on-station trial. However, based on stakeholder research assessment 'Strawberry Festival' will be replaced. Research Objective 3: Monitor Population of Arthropod Pests, Including the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) and Twospotted Spider Mite (TSSM), and Beneficials Monitoring will be repeated in the main on-station trial to improve our understanding of the effects of the cropping systems on pest and beneficial arthropods. Research Objective 4: Integrate Summer Leguminous Cover Crop into Nutrient Management Program for Organic Strawberry Production Systems More in-depth fruit quality analysis (e.g., total phenolic content) of the frozen strawberry fruit sampled from the nutrient management trial will be completed. The nutrient management experiment will be repeated during the 2017-2018 season with slight modifications made to the experimental design according to the research results from the previous season. Research Objective 5: Develop Pest Management Practices for Spotted Wing Drosophila We will repeat the study on SWD movement either in the main on-station experiment or at a commercial organic farm. Results from the 2016-2017 study will be presented at the 2017 Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver, CO from 5 - 8 Nov. 2017. The evaluation of OMRI-approved products for SWD management will be repeated in a separate strawberry plot within the organic area at the research station. Research Objective 6: Develop Management Alternatives for Twospotted Spider Mite The study of site-specific treatments with the predatory mites, Neoseiulus californicus, will be repeated in a separate strawberry plot within the organic area at the research station. The evaluation of OMRI-approved products for TSSM management will be repeated in a separate strawberry plot within the organic area at the research station. The treatments will be applied early in the season in order to have at least two applications during the season. Research Objective 7: Assess the Season Extension Potential of Low and High Tunnels in Organic Strawberry Production The 2017-18 research will begin in September 2017. Research will be conducted as originally planned. Research Objective 8: Farmer assessment of response of cover crop and cultivars to on-farm bio-physical and management regimes During the next reporting period, we will work toward Farmer Field Trials, Industry Liaison Panel & Research Assessments, and Workshops, Field Days, Training. Participatory on-farm field trials were initiated in July 2017 at two local farms. We will capture photos of the research process regularly throughout the production season in order to create a video demonstrating field trial results. The videos will consist of photomontages alongside interviews with PIs. The video will be uploaded to a website accessible to the public. We will analyze farmer notes and records to qualitatively assess on-farm decision-making processes. Research Objective 9: Evaluate consumer preferences for traditional and recently released strawberry cultivars with regard to sensory attributes like flavor, color, and texture, including consumer willingness to pay An experimental plan will be developed for the sensory study that will be conducted in November and December. Research Objective 10. Calculate Production Costs and Potential Returns of Selected Management Alternatives Based on Data from the Biological Research We plan to collect economic data on inputs used in strawberry production and yield from on-station trials. Prices of inputs and outputs will be collected based on publically available data (USDA, publication on budget analysis of strawberries) and staff managing the on-station trials. A partial budget analysis will be conducted to compare the economic return from different strawberry cultivars as well as different production system (cover crops). Outreach Objective 1: We will engage producer and county Extension faculty members in research and outreach planning, implementation and outcomes Industry Liaison Panel and Research Assessments We will assemble an industry liaison panel in fall 2017 consisting of strawberry industry leaders who previously agreed to participate in our study, plus team member recommendations. We will hold two meetings. One will occur before our 2018 research assessments and one before our Extension workshop (below) where the panel will suggest guidance for project activities. The research assessment in 2018 will focus on nutrient delivery systems. The assessment is conducted in two parts. First, participants assess our field plots. Second, we have a group discussion about the participants' observations to ultimately come up with recommendations for future research design. Liaison panel members will be encouraged to co-host and/or participate in field days and trainings. Outreach Objective 2: We will demonstrate the feasibility of organic strawberry production in low cost crop tunnels We will continue to improve upon the feasibility of growing organic strawberries sustainably using low cost crop tunnels. We will develop a factsheet to promote the use of low cost crop tunnels for organic production. We will continue to offer training on constructing a low cost high tunnel for organic strawberry crop protection. Outreach Objective 3: We will provide Extension faculty members, other local service providers, and growers with research results and recommendations We will hold an in-service training aimed at Extension agents and service providers at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra, FL on the topic of advantages and disadvantages of adopting organic strawberry systems.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Main open-field experiment (Florida) Cover cropping. The first season of the main on-station organic strawberry production system study was initiated in Jul. 2016 in a certified organic field in Citra, FL. Three cover crop treatments (1) Crotalaria juncea cv. Tropic Sun, (2) Indigofera hirsuta, and (3) a 4-way mix of Aeschynomene americana, C. juncea cv. AU Golden, C. ochroleuca, and I. hirsuta were compared with a weedy control in the whole plots of a split-plot design. Whole plot treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were collected on cover crop height, cover crop and weed population densities and biomass, plant-pathogenic nematode populations, leaf area index and photosynthetically active radiation penetrating the cover crop canopy. Crotalaria juncea cv. Tropic Sun produced the most above ground biomass. The biomass produced by the mix and I. hirsuta did not differ significantly. All cover crops suppressed weed biomass. Cultivar evaluation. Following the cover crops, four strawberry cultivars (Sensation™ brand Florida127, WinterstarTM FL 05-107, Florida Radiance, and Strawberry Festival) were evaluated in subplots. Containerized strawberry transplants were planted within the whole plots on 13 Oct., 2016. Plant parameters, leaf number, canopy size and crown diameter, and leaf chlorophyll content index, were measured. Marketable and unmarketable fruit numbers and weights were recorded twice per week. For most of the growth parameters, Winterstar™, Sensation™, and 'Festival' performed better than 'Radiance'. Crotalaria juncea, cover crop mix, and I. hirsuta increased marketable fruit number in Dec.; with little influence of cover crops during the rest of the season. 'Festival' had more marketable and total fruit number, which was not significantly different from WinterstarTM throughout the season; whereas Sensation™ exhibited larger fruit size. WinterstarTM had higher cull fruit weight than other cultivars because of its susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum. No significant difference in soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and pH among treatments was observed. Pest and benefical arthropod monitoring. Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) adults were monitored using traps and larvae by collecting weekly fruit samples. Female SWD were present throughout the season with a peak in population in mid-Feb. Males occurred in very small numbers mostly in Mar. Larvae were sporadic during the season with a peak on 27 Feb. Twospotted spider mite (TSSM) motiles (immature stages + adults) and eggs, predatory mite motiles and eggs, sixspotted thrips, whitefly immatures, aphids, and parasitized aphids were monitored by collecting weekly leaf samples from 8 Nov. 2016 until 28 Mar. 2017. Predatory mites (Neoseiulus californicus) were released only on 18 Nov. because of low TSSM populations throughout the season. There were no differences in mean TSSM motiles per leaf among cover crop treatments or strawberry cultivars. More TSSM eggs were recorded from Sensation™ compared with Winterstar™ and 'Festival'. Fewer predatory mite motiles were found in 'Radiance' compared with the other 3 cultivars, but there was no difference in egg numbers. There were no difference in predatory mite motiles or eggs among cover crop treatments. Bi-weekly in situ counts detected seed bugs in high numbers and flea beetles in moderate numbers. A few big-eyed bugs, spiders, and ladybeetles were the main beneficial insects besides pollinators. Frankliniella bispinosa was the dominate species collected on flower samples and populations remained low until the last sampling date, with no difference among cultivars. Integrate Summer Leguminous Cover Crop into Nutrient Management Program for Organic Strawberry Production Systems A field trial that evaluated the cover crop (C. juncea), compost, and in-season fertigation was conducted in certified organic land at Citra, FL. Crotalaria juncea was planted at two seeding rates of 44.9 and 67.3 kg/ha in Jul. 2016 and terminated in Sep. along with a summer fallow control. Compost product was applied at C. juncea termination with no compost as the control. Containerized plants of Sensation™ strawberry were transplanted in Oct. Nitrogen (N) fertigation was applied at 0, 100%, and 150% of the standard rate and each plot received 78.5 kg/ha as a preplant application. A split-plot design with 4 replications was used, with C. juncea and compost treatment combinations in the whole plots and in-season fertigation rates in the subplots. Marketable and unmarketable fruit weights and numbers were determined from 28 Nov. 2016 to 3 May 2017. Plant growth assessment included above-ground dry weight, leaf area, and leaf number. Leaf tissue was analyzed for nutrient content. Fruit quality attributes such as soluble solids content, titratable acidity, dry matter content, firmness were assessed. Whole season marketable fruit yield per plant with 44.9 kg/ha C. juncea was higher than with the 67.3 kg/ha rate; however, neither of the C. juncea seeding rates differed significantly from the summer fallow control. A similar trend was observed in the sunn hemp treatments with regard to marketable fruit number and total fruit yield per plant. Compost had significant effect on fruit yields. The 100% and 150% fertigation treatments of produced higher yields than the without fertigation control, with no difference between the 100% and 150% treatments. While some significant effects of fertigation rates on plant growth compared with the no fertigation control were obtained, there was no impact of C. juncea or compost. Management of spotted wing drosophila and twospotted spider mite Studies addressing the management of SWD and TSSM focused on: SWD movement within the main on-station experiment utilizing Scentry traps. OMRI-approved products for managing SWD: (1) Azera (pyrethrins + neem), (2) Entrust (spinosad), (3) Grandevo (bacterial product), and (4) Veratran D (sabadilla alkaloids) in comparison with an untreated control. Site-specific treatments of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus, for management of TSSM. OMRI-approved products for the management of TSSM: (1) Cosavet DF Micronized Sulfur, (2) Grandevo, (3) Aramite in comparison with a tap water control. Season Extension Potential of Low and High Tunnels in Organic Strawberry Production (North Carolina) Two 30'x96' high tunnels were used. Within each high tunnel, three low tunnels were installed. Four June-bearing strawberry cultivars were evaluated in one tunnel: Benicia, Camino Real, Florida Radiance and Winterstar™. The day-neutral strawberry cultivars: Albion and San Andreas were transplanted into the second high tunnel at two different dates (D1 and D2). A similar research design was used to evaluate low tunnels in an open-field production system. In the day-neutral cultivar trial, low tunnels significantly reduced the flower and fruit damage. Plants under low tunnels produced higher marketable and total yield than those without low tunnels. The D2 plants produced higher marketable and total yields than the D1 plants, despite that the biomass of D1 plants was higher than that of D2 plants from Oct. to Feb. 'San Andreas had higher marketable and total yields than 'Albion'. In the June-bearing strawberry trial, the cold damage to open blossoms, marketable yield, and total yield was not affected by low tunnels. There were significant effect of cultivar on yield. 'Florida Radiance' and Winterstar™ produced higher yields than 'Camino Real' and 'Benicia. Cold damage to open blooms in Jan. was not significantly different among cultivars.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Dosunmu, O., O.E. Liburd, and C. Chase. 2017. Efficacy of selected OMRI approved miticides on twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on strawberry. Oral presentation. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Dosunmu, O. and O.E. Liburd. 2017. Management methods of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch in field-grown strawberries. Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society of America, Memphis, Tennessee.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gu, S., W. Guan and J. E. Beck. 2017. Strawberry Cultivar Evaluation under High-tunnel and Organic Management in North Carolina. HortTechnology 27(1)78-83.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gu, S., J. E. Beck and J. A. Moore. 2017. Characterizing High Tunnel Microclimate in Hardiness Zone 7 & 8 of North Carolina. Proceedings of the 7th National Small Farm Conference. pp 29-34. http://www.vsu.edu/nationalsmallfarmconference/Draft%20proceedings.pdf
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Beck J. and Gu S. 2017. Soil Management Using Cover Crops in Organically Managed High Tunnels. Southern Cover Crops Conference Fact Sheet. http://www.southernsare.org/News-and-Media/SSARE-Bulletins/Cover-Crops-Research-Across-the-Southern-Region/Soil-Management-Using-Cover-Crops-in-Organically-Managed-High-Tunnels#
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gu, S. J. E. Beck and J. A. Moore. 2016. Including Low Tunnels in a High Tunnel for Winter Strawberry Production in Cold Hardiness Zone Seven. HortScience 51(9): S245 (abstract).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Chase, C.A. and S.B. Coplin. 2017. A cover crop mixture for weed and sting nematode management. Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstract 320. http://wssaabstracts.com/public/45/proceedings.html.
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included small scale strawberry growers, small farmers especially limited resource farmers who are interested in season extension of (organic) strawberries, extension agents, students, and other agricultural educators. Changes/Problems:Getting strawberry plugs for the 2015-2016 trials in North Carolina was a challenge because the research start date was two months earlier than the typical planting season in the region. We solved the problem by contacting nurseries in the mountains, which allowed us to purchase tips so we could raise our own plugs. Spider mites turned out to be a major problem in high tunnels, which forced us to stop the research in April. We plan to speed up the purchase process so predator mites can available for release in the tunnels at the appropriate time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A new PhD student was recruited in summer 2016 to work on the organic strawberry nutrient management project. Two graduate students were hired to work on this project at NC A&T State University. Preliminary results and microclimate information were shared with extension agents at the Small Farm Week that took place in March, 2016 on NC A&T campus. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dr. Gu presented a 30-minute talk on High Tunnels for Expanding Organic Strawberry Seasons at the 2016 Southeast Region Fruit and Vegetable Expo that took place in Savannah, GA in January, 2016. He also delivered a poster presentation titled Including Low Tunnels in a High Tunnel for Winter Strawberry Production in Cold Hardiness Zone Seven at the 2016 ASHS conference in Atlanta GA. The low/high tunnel strawberry projects were shown at FOX 8 News covering the 2016 NC A&T Small Farm Week. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research Objective 1: Assess the Efficacy of Off-season Cover Crops on Soil Health and in Suppressing Weeds, Sting Nematodes, Arthropod Pests, and Pathogens In late September, the main plots will be resampled to assess the effect of the cover crops on plant pathogenic nematode populations and the cover crops will be terminated after cover crop and weed growth assessment. After, cover crop residue incorporation and preplant fertilizer application, main plots will be divided into 4 raised beds equipped with drip irrigation tape and black plastic mulch. Subplot treatments to be applied to the 4 beds will consist of the strawberry cultivars: Strawberry Festival, Florida Radiance, Winterstar™, and FL-127. Tray transplants will be used to establish the crop in mid October. The trial will be monitored for persistence of weed suppression from the summer cover crops at monthly intervals during the strawberry crop. Soil will again be sampled at the end of the strawberry crop to assess plant pathogenic nematode populations. Soil will be sampled three times per year to assess soil health. Research Objective 2. Evaluate the Performance of Strawberry Cultivars in Open Field Organic Production Systems Half of the each subplot indicated in the previous paragraph will be used to compare growth and yield of the 4 strawberry cultivars. Research Objective 4: Integrate Summer Leguminous Cover Crop into Nutrient Management Program for Organic Strawberry Production Systems All data from the 2015-2016 studies will be analyzed and information will be disseminated through appropriate venues. The field trial on integrated nutrient management for organic strawberry production will be conducted during the 2016-2017 growing season. Research Objective 7: Assess the Season Extension Potential of Low and High Tunnels in Organic Strawberry Production In fall 2016, we will plant day-neutral cultivars (two cultivars, two planting dates) and June-bearing cultivars (four cultivars, one planting date) in two high tunnels, with relevant field trials conducted at the same time. Twelve low tunnels, one high tunnel, and 12 sets of data loggers have been purchased and will be (or have been) installed. A fall field day is scheduled for November 10, 2016 and strawberry is one of the crops to be demonstrated. A spring field day will take place in March 2017 during the annual Small Farm week. Research results will be disseminated at the 2017 Southeast Region Fruit and Vegetable Expo (invited and confirmed for two strawberry presentations), the annual S-ASHS conference (Mobile, AL), the biannual ARD conference (Atlanta, GA), and the 2017 ASHS conference (Big Island, Hawaii). Outreach objective 1: We will engage producer and county Extension faculty members in research and outreach planning, implementation and outcomes (1) We will initiate meetings of the Industry Liaison Panel (growers and industry representatives from a diverse group of formal and informal networks), which will provide overall guidance for this project. (2)We will submit the research assessment instrument for IRB approval. (3) We will conduct an assessment of the first season on-station research in Florida. Outreach objective 2: We will demonstrate the feasibility of organic strawberry production in low cost crop tunnels At the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Research and Extension Center, during the fall 2016, a PVC frame tunnel and a metal frame tunnel will be used to evaluate 'Festival', 'FL-127', 'Florida Radiance' and Winterstar™. Outreach objective 3: We will provide Extension faculty members, other local service providers, and growers with research results and recommendations (1)We will secure IFAS communications to videotape field day activities for our virtual field day. (2) We will secure IFAS communications to videotape mature strawberry plants to include in virtual research assessments. (3) We will secure IFAS communications to videotape important steps in the research process that have been only documented by photos so far (e.g., planting cover crops). (4) We will continue to take photos of other important steps in the research process including: bed formation, laying plastic, transplanting and periodic data collection between transplanting and harvest. (5) We will submit pre- and post-test instruments to be used at field days for IRB approval.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research Objective 1: Assess the Efficacy of Off-season Cover Crops on Soil Health and in Suppressing Weeds, Sting Nematodes, Arthropod Pests, and Pathogens In summer 2016, the main on-station experiment was initiated in a certified organic field at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL. The design for this experiment is a split plot with four main plot treatments arranged in a randomized complete block with 4 replications for a total of 16 main plots. Each main plot was surveyed to determine the population densities of existing vegetation and a composite soil sample was then collected from each main plot. Soil samples were divided into 3 subsamples and either sent to appropriate commercial laboratories to determine baseline soil health and soilborne nematode infestation or were placed in trays in the greenhouse to evaluate the baseline weed seed bank. The field was then tilled and the following 4 cover crop treatments were established: Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea; cv. Tropic Sun) monoculture Hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) monoculture 4-way mixture ('AU Golden' sunn hemp; hairy indigo; slenderleaf rattlebox, C. ochroleuca, and American jointvetch, Aeshynomene americana) Weedy control Hairy indigo seed was acid-scarified prior to planting in order to break physical dormancy due to seed hardness. The cover crops were allowed to grow for a period of 8 weeks during which data were collected on leaf area index of the canopies, photosynthetically active radiation penetrating the canopies, cover crop plant height, cover crop density, and biomass. Weed density and biomass were also assessed. Research Objective 4: Integrate Summer Leguminous Cover Crop into Nutrient Management Program for Organic Strawberry Production Systems We conducted a preliminary study to assess the effect of a plant growth-promoting bacteria product on organic strawberry production during the 2015-2016 season in order to determine its potential for enhancing nutrient management in organic strawberry systems. Fruit yield and quality attributes were measured and data analyses are underway. A pilot greenhouse study was also initiated in summer 2016 to test different amino acid biostimulants for incorporation into an organic nutrient management program for strawberries. Sunn hemp as the summer leguminous cover crop was also planted in summer 2016 for establishing the field trial on organic strawberry nutrient management. Research Objective 7: Assess the Season Extension Potential of Low and High Tunnels in Organic Strawberry Production Two research trials (1) winter and spring production of day-neutral and June-bearing strawberries in high tunnels and in low tunnels within a high tunnel and (2) spring production of day-neutral and June-bearing strawberries in low tunnels have been conducted at NC A&T University Farm. Both projects used June-bearing cultivars Radiance and Winterstar™, and day-neutral cultivars Albion and San Andreas. Trial 1 was conducted in a 30 ft x 96 ft high tunnel. Six raised beds were made and three of them were assigned randomly for low tunnels, which were installed in late November 2015. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design. The treatment design was a split-plot design, with low tunnels/control (without low tunnels) as main plots and cultivars as subplots. There were 40 plants in each subplot. The trial was concluded on April 30, 2016. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the low tunnel and control treatment in terms of the first harvest date, marketable yield, total yield and cold damage to open blossoms; however, the numerical values consistently favored the low tunnel treatment. For example, the total yield and marketable yield were 2.99 and 2.84 kg/plot in the low tunnel treatment, compared to 2.27 and 2.15 kg/plot in the control. Low tunnels also advanced the first harvest by five days. There were significant differences between cultivars for the date of first harvest and flower damage. 'Radiance' and 'San Andreas' were harvested 10 days earlier than 'Albion' and Winterstar™ and 'Radiance' had most severe flower damage (74.6%) while 'San Andreas' had the least (47.8%). Microclimate factors such as low air temperature, soil temperature and solar radiation were measured with Spectrum dataloggers and sensors every 30 minutes. Data did show some additional protection was provided by the low tunnels. Trial 2 was conducted in the open field with an experimental design similar to that of trial 1. Low tunnels were also installed in late November, removed (to avoid snow damage) in January and February, and re-installed in March. Trial 2 was concluded on May 30, 2016. There was no significant difference in terms of total yield between plots with low tunnels (2.2kg/plot) and without low tunnels (2.3kg/plot). Cultivars performed differently. Day-neutral cultivars had significantly lower yields than June-bearing cultivars. 'Albion' had the lowest yield (1.4 kg/plot), while Winterstar™ had the highest yield (2.8 kg/plot). Elevated temperatures that occurred in low tunnels did not seem to influence plant productivity. Statistical analyses on other variables (first harvest, canopy, fruit quality, cold damage and pest incidence) are not yet complete. Outreach objective 1: We will engage producer and county Extension faculty members in research and outreach planning, implementation and outcomes We also began the development oftwo separateinstruments that will be used for assessing research and field days, respectively. Outreach objective 2: We will demonstrate the feasibility of organic strawberry production in low cost crop tunnels At the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Research and Extension Center, sunn hemp was grown as a cover crop in summer 2016 on land that will be used in fall 2016 for assessment of organic strawberry production in low-cost crop tunnels. Outreach objective 3: We will provide Extension faculty members, other local service providers, and growers with research results and recommendations We established means for developing virtual assessments and virtual field days for growers and service providers. We securedassistance from IFAS Communications in order to accomplish the virtual components of our objectives. IFAS Communications will aid us in filming, website construction and web-based learning. We have also begun compiling other important materials pertaining to virtual assessments and field days. We took a considerable number of photos attwoimportant points in the research process: (1) planting cover cropsand (2) surveying the plots usingReal Time Kinematics (RTK) to ensure accuracy of plot locations across project years. The photos were subsequently captioned with detailed information to use during virtual assessments and field days. We beganwriting a literature review on web-based learning in anticipation of future publications.
Publications
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