Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

New Crop Opportunities, Phase V

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

 

Project Description

This project involves applied research to develop protocols for the profitable production and marketing of horticultural crops and specialty grains. Products include a manual, Guiding the Producer to New Crop Opportunities, presented to 63 extension personnel at three training sessions. Training materials were made available to all extension agents at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops/guiding.html. Research results and information on other crops, including 103 crop profiles, are disseminated via the New Crop Opportunities Center Web site at www.uky.edu/ag/newcrops. Results and additional information have been presented at field days at Princeton, Robinson Station, Morehead State, UK Horticulture Research Farm, Franklin and Whitley counties, and at the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Meetings, Ohio River Valley Farm Marketing Conference, and the Kentucky Women in Agriculture Conference.

In the Rudy Haag Burning Bush as a Non-invasive Alternative to Current Burning Bush Cultivars project, propagation studies were conducted using softwood stem cuttings, the growth regulator Fascination was used to increase branching and produce more desirable plants on the invasive cultivar Compactus and on Rudy Haag, and fruit production was compared. Spicebush plants were also propagated.

In the Developing Organic Apple Thinning Agents project, the fruit thinning efficacy of lime sulfur plus fish oil (LS/FO), a possible organic alternative to conventional synthetic thinners, was examined. Results from this project were presented at the 2007 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference.

In the Evaluating Crop and Soil Fertility Changes during Transition to an Organic Vegetable Production System project, organic, conventional, and low-input systems were compared. Soil samples were tested for soil chemical and physical properties as well as soil enzyme activity.

In the Sweet Sorghum Improvement project, breeding populations were developed, plant introductions were screened for sugar concentration, the value of male sterility and hybrid vigor on syrup production was studied, and seed of released and heirloom varieties was purified.

In the Conventional and Molecular Breeding of Soft White Winter Wheat project, three years of multi-location experiments were conducted to evaluate white and red sister breeding lines, and four presentations were made.

In the Organic Grain Crops Field Research Initiative project, three organic systems were used: low grain intensity (corn followed by 18 months of orchard grass/red clover forage); moderate grain intensity (corn followed by winter rye cover crop, then soybean followed by hairy vetch cover crop); and high grain intensity (corn followed by winter wheat followed by double crop soybean). Data were collected on yields, weed densities, crop assessments, and soil quality indicators. Three presentations were made at the American Society of Agronomy annual meetings.

In A Risk Management Analysis of Low Phytate Corn project, economic assessment of the profitability and risk underlying low phytate corn production was conducted. A Ph.D. and an M.S. degree were awarded to students working on these projects.

Impact

The 2007 Kentucky Produce Planting and Marketing Intentions Survey showed an expected acreage increase for vegetable crops of 11 percent. The majority of growers indicated their sales between 2003 and 2006 increased slightly (18%) or substantially (35%). Thirty percent of growers who responded to the 2006 survey were interested in organic production. 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%. Phase V research included projects on organic vegetables, apples, and grains.

In the organic vegetable production system project, although weeds were generally higher in the organic treatment, yields were not significantly different than in conventional or low-input. Timing played a major role in the effectiveness of organic methods for controlling weeds and disease.

In the organic apple thinning project, leaf phytotoxicity was evident from most treatments, but no fruit damage was observed. Compared to standard carbaryl application for fruit thinning, LS/FO application reduced fruit load almost 70% across 3 cultivars. But the LS/FO application also reduced fruit size. Lower rates of LS and perhaps other surfactants need to be assessed to determine if LS has commercial viability as a post-bloom fruit thinner in apple.

In the organic grain crops project, the three cropping systems have been much more consistent for corn yields than for soybean or wheat yields. In all three cropping systems, corn had excellent weed control and little disease or insect pressure. Wheat yields were similar, and soybean yields were somewhat lower than those obtained by conventional methods.

Growth in Kentucky's horticulture industry was led by $81 million in sales by the nursery/greenhouse industry in 2006. Phase V included research on Rudy Haag burning bush, which has the potential to bring a significant increase in income to Kentucky nurseries. Rudy Haag cuttings rooted at higher percentages and with more roots per cutting than either the species or Compactus, recognized as the main source of invasive burning bush plants. One application of Fascination increased plant size and stem number in container-grown Rudy Haag, which reached a salable size after two seasons in three-gallon containers. Rudy Haag set only 1.1 percent of the fruits produced by Compactus. Methods to establish spicebush plants from seeds and cuttings were also developed.

In the wheat project, new information was generated about the time and methods of selection in developing white wheat lines from a red wheat breeding program, and about the possible role of seed coat color and tannins in resistance to head scab.

In the risk management analysis project, survey results of Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) producers engaged in identity preserved crop production identified no producers of low phytate corn. Lack of a separate market for low phytate corn and a corresponding price premium negates the economic viability for the crop under current conditions.

Publications

Finneseth, C., Geneve, R., and Dunwell, W. 2007. Fruit Production in 'Compactus' and 'Rudy Haag' Burning Bush. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 13-14.

Knott, C.A., Van Sanford, D.A., and Souza, E.J. 2008. Comparison of Selection Methods for the Development of White-Seeded Lines from Red x White Soft Winter Wheat Crosses. Crop Sci. (in press).

Knott, C.A., Van Sanford, D.A., and Souza, E.J. 2008. Genetic Variation and the Effectiveness of Early-Generation Selection for Soft Winter Wheat Quality. Crop Sci. (pending).

Knott, C., Van Sanford, D., and Souza, E. 2006. Genetic Variation for Gluten Strength and Water Holding Capacity in a Soft Winter Wheat Population. 2006 American Society of Agronomy Meetings, Indianapolis, Indiana. November, 2006. Agronomy Abstracts.

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.

Poston, A., Johnstone, C., and Geneve, R. 2007. Cutting Propagation and Shoot Regrowth in 'Rudy Haag' Compared to Other Burning Bush Selections. University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program Research Report PR-554: 10-11.