Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

New Horicultural and Grain Crop Opportunities for Kentucky

D. Ingram, D. Van Sanford, C. Dillon
Department of Horticulture

 

Project Description

Kentucky farmers are trying to make their enterprises more profitable. This project involves applied research to develop protocols for the profitable production and marketing of horticultural crops and specialty grains. Crop information and research results are disseminated via the New Crop Opportunities Center Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops, and at field days and meetings. Results were presented at the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meeting, the Entomological Society of America National Meeting, and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture Eastern Section Meeting.

One project supports management of Japanese beetles (JB) and green June beetles (GJB) to help grape growers reduce chemical inputs and production costs. Impact of JB defoliation on vine growth and winter hardiness was quantified for first-year vines of six cultivars under three intensities of cover sprays. Cultivar resistance of young vines to JB defoliation was quantified. The flight period of GJB was monitored with newly developed lures. A vineyard with early-, mid-, and late-ripening cultivars was established.

In the high tunnels project, seven varieties of blackberry, six of blueberry, and nine of raspberry were planted in two plots, one outside and one inside a Haygrove high tunnel on the organic section of the UK Horticulture Research Farm. High tunnels allow growers to expand their marketing window for small fruits and berries by extending their harvest season, and help control disease and insect pests. The Haygrove high tunnel is included on informal tours of the research farm for students and the public. Details of the experiment were discussed with extension agents and growers at a field day.

A project was initiated in response to interest by one of the largest commercial lettuce producers in California wanting to contract with Kentucky farmers to produce romaine lettuce. Four variety trials of romaine were conducted throughout the state. Ten romaine varieties were trialed using conventional methods at the research farm, and at farms of two cooperators in Clark and Harrison counties. Those 10 varieties plus six additional ones were included in an organic greens variety trial at the research farm. A field day was held at the farm of one of the cooperators.

In the organic apple orchard project, three varieties of disease-resistant apple were planted in 2007. This project will identify the challenges of growing apples organically in Kentucky and begin an effort to solve them.

The burning bush project is looking at the cultivar Rudy Haag as a possible alternative to the widely used but invasive cultivar Compactus. Rudy Haag represents a significant market opportunity for Kentucky nursery producers.

In the soft winter wheat project, an experiment was established in Lexington to assess the impact of head scab on gluten strength.

In the sweet sorghum for ethanol project, Sugar Drip and Dale were planted and evaluated for juice yield and sugar concentration. Sweet sorghum is more drought tolerant and requires less nitrogen than corn for ethanol production.

Economic assessment of the profitability and risk underlying nonGMO soybean production began.

Impact

Expected impact of New Crops research includes improved production techniques that will benefit organic growers. According to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturers Survey, organic foods reached $16.7 billion in consumer sales in the U.S. in 2006, an increase of 20.9%. This research included projects on organic vegetables and fruits.

In the high tunnel project, there was excellent plant survival in both plots and no major insect or disease issues. Utilizing a season extension structure to increase yields, improve quality, and enhance early and late production of small fruits is an excellent option for Kentucky growers seeking to diversify. This demonstration will show growers the viability of adopting small fruit production and the benefits of using season extension. Because demand for organic small fruits has increased steadily over the past decade, improved production techniques will help growers take advantage of a growing market.

In the romaine lettuce project, results were mixed. The majority of varieties did well in the spring, while most varieties in the fall organic trial bolted before harvest. Out of state vegetable buyers visited the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers meeting in January, 2008, and expressed interest in buying a range of wholesale crops, including romaine. About 10 acres of romaine are expected to be grown in central Kentucky in 2008, but buyers are interested in much greater quantities.

In the organic apple orchard project, tree loss (10 of 190) was minimal in the establishment year. Insect pressure was present but not excessive. Disease issues were negligible.

In the grape project, cover spray interval was reduced from 7 to 14 days without loss of benefit to vine growth or winter hardiness. This study will help growers reduce pesticide use in controlling Japanese beetle (JB). Resistance of Concord to JB defoliation is associated with tough, thick leaves having low water and nitrogen content. Another American variety, Norton, was highly susceptible to defoliation, as were all European vinifera and French-American hybrids evaluated. JB were shown to aggravate problems with green June beetle (GJB) during the harvest window by biting through the skin of intact ripe grapes, and by contaminating fruits with yeasts that induce fermentation volatiles that are attractive to GJB. Juice from early ripening grapes with relatively high sugar content was shown to elicit the greatest feeding by JB, and preliminary assays showed strong resistance of Sunbelt, a late-ripening cultivar.

No conclusions have been reached in the wheat project and the data are regarded as preliminary.

In the sweet sorghum for ethanol project, Dale consistently produced more juice than Sugar Drip. The ethanol yield per acre would be competitive with corn at more than 500 gallons.

A survey of Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) producers showed growers received a premium of 35 cents per bushel on nonGMO compared to Roundup Ready soybeans. The price premium benefits coupled with reduced seed costs outweighed the increased herbicide cost. An estimated gain of $19.56 per acre was seen by nonGMO soybean producers.

Publications

Hammons, D.L., Kurtural, S.K., and Potter, D.A. 2008. Japanese Beetles Facilitate Feeding by Green June Beetles on Ripening Grapes. Environ. Entomol. (in press)

Hammons, D.L., Kurtural, S.K., and Potter, D.A. 2007. Impact of Japanese Beetle Defoliation on the Overwintering Ability of First-Year Grapevines. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-555: 35-36.

Hammons, D.L., Kurtural, S.K., and Potter, D.A. 2006. Evaluating Host Plant Resistance and the Impact of Japanese Beetle Defoliation on Young Grapevines. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-538: 30-31.

Law, D., Strang, J., Archbold, D., and Williams, M. 2007. Establishment of an Organic Apple Orchard at the UK Horticulture Research Farm. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-555: 52-54.

Law, D., and Williams, M. 2007. Optimizing Organic Culture of Select Small Fruits in Kentucky Using Haygrove Tunnels. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-555: 47-49.

Law, D., and Williams, M. 2007. Spring Greens and Lettuce Variety Evaluations. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-555: 56-61.

Poston, A., Fulcher, A., Dunwell, W., and Geneve, R. 2007. Fascination Increases Growth of 'Rudy Haag' Burning Bush during Container Production. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 12-13.

Spalding, D., and Coolong, T. 2007. Romaine Lettuce Cultivar Trial. University of Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Crops Research Report PR-555: 55-56.