Joe Wilson and his mates

https://commons.und.edu/settler-literature/1085/thumbnail.jp

Polyethylene Mulches and Preplant Incorporated Herbicides for Tomato Production

Fresh market tomato production consists of selecting a well-drained site, an early variety, plastic mulch, possibly a row cover, and transplanting in the spring as early as possible. This procedure can result in advanced maturity and top early marketable yields when prices are usually highest. Our previous research has shown wavelength selective plastic (SRM-olive or red) coupled with a row cover has given consistent top, early yields.Clear plastic was also superior provided there was excellent weed control. Early production was highly correlated (r = 0.74) to maximum soil temperature at the 4-in. depth. Thus, clear plastic would be the mulch of choice

Sweet Corn Topping Evaluation

Sweet corn “topping” is the removal of plant parts above the ear after pollination has occurred. This practice has been reported to hasten maturity, improve picking ease, reduce bird damage, improve pesticide application to ears, and reduce lodging problems. Disadvantages of topping have included a reduction in earsize, poor kernel fill,sunburn of exposed ears, and additional production costs. The objective was to determine what effect topping would have on ear maturity, yield, and ear quality under Iowa growing conditions

Sweet Corn Herbicide Study

Weed control in sweet corn is very important since the competition they create reduces yield and quality factors such as ear size and tip fill. Weeds filling row centers can also interfere with pest control sprays and make harvesting more difficult. Herbicides are an important tool in weed management programs and in April 2005, the EPA registered the use of Callisto in sweet corn. To help growers utilize this new product effectively, we looked at different combinations and application timings of Callisto with the herbicides Dual II Magnum and AAtrex 4L for crop safety and weed control effectiveness

Sweet Corn ToppingTrial

Topping of sweet corn a few weeks before harvest is practiced in western Washington state and Nebraska to improve harvesting efficiency. Reports of east coast growers indicate topping may hasten earliness by 2 to 3 days, improve hand picking ease, reduce bird damage, and reduce wind lodging. Another potential advantage would be better spray coverage of the ear to prevent corn borer and earworm damage. Some drawbacks to the practice might include: reduction in earsize and flavor, malformed ears from lack of good pollination,sunburn of exposed ears(particularly late plantings), and additional costs. Generally, topping refers to removing the top of the corn plant just above the ear after pollen shed and pollination of the ear has occurred

Callisto Residual Evaluation Sweet Corn HerbicideTrial

Callisto (mesotrione) is a new grass herbicide for use in sweet corn. It is labeled for both PRE and POST application. Excellent control of most broadleaves is obtained, with the exception of purslane and common ragweed. Its efficacy can be extended by tank mixing with Dual and/or AAtrex. In 2005 we applied alone, or in combination, Callisto, Dual II Magnum, and AAtrex 4L to Precious Gem sweet corn grown on a Clarion loam soil at the Horticulture Station, Gilbert, IA. The normal Callisto rate is 6 oz/acre PRE or no more than two 3 oz/acre applications as POST. Our highest POST application of Callisto was 12 oz/acre, 6 oz on June 22 and 6 oz on June 29, 2005. Injury to sweet corn, in form of bleaching of 10% of leaves, on July 7 was noted. Nonetheless, yields were high, averaging 1,931 dozen/acre

Degradable Mulch Evaluation

Plastic mulches can provide vegetable growers with earlier crop maturity, better yields and quality, improved disease, insect and weed control, and more efficient fertilizer and water use. The downside of using mulches is the high cost of installation and removal and disposal at the end of the season. A partial solution to this problem has been the development of degradable mulches, which can be left in the field at the end of the season, eliminating removal costs

Watermelon Cultivar Trial, 2007

The 2007 watermelon cultivar trial evaluated twelve entrants, including several described as seedless sugar baby types, with the objective of identifying good quality, distinctive cultivars suited for local marketing. Historically, Sugar Baby has been a popular cultivar for local marketing because of its earliness, attractive blackish green rind color, and convenient size. When hybrid cultivars like Jade Star became available, many growers switched because they looked similar to Sugar Baby but had improved yield,shelf life, and eating quality.Currently, we are seeing consumer preference shifting to seedless watermelons creating demand for seedless sugar baby types. These trial results provide information on several cultivars with characteristics fitting this specific market