Air and Soil Temperature Readings, Growing Degree Days, and Chilling Hours Recorded in Two Wiregrass Tunnel Houses Located in East Central Alabama

The study examined air and soil temperature readings, growing degree days, and chilling hours recorded in two Wiregrass tunnel houses during the 2018-2019 season. The monthly average ambient temperature, was 15OF warmer inside the Tunnel House (75/60OF) during the Cool/Cold months, and 17OF warmer inside (90/73OF) during the Warm/Hot seasons of 2018 and 2019. Growing Degree Days heat unit (HU) accumulations were higher inside than outside 4,154 vs. 3,153 HU for the Cool/Cold months and 5,134 vs. 4,800 HU for the Warm/Hot months. Chilling hour accumulations were lower inside the tunnel houses than outside the tunnel houses, 601vs. 671 hr. Utilizing the temperature data from this study, a planting guide consisting of a Cool/Cold (September-February) season and Warm/Hot (March-August) season was developed for a list of crops which producers could plant. The results of this study provides information for growers to better plan their crop choices and planting schedules

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected

The Effect of A Fifty Percent Leaf Harvest From Three Varieties of Collards (Brassica Oleracea(L)/Cultivar Group Acephala) Cropped at Selected Intervals When Grown in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a 50% leaf harvest from ‘Heirloom’, ‘Georgia’, and ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ collards on yield, when leaves were removed at 18-, 21-, and 25- day intervals, over four harvest periods of 102, 127, 152, and 177 days after transplanting in a Wiregrass Tunnel House. The experimental design used was a split-split plot with three replications, where harvest periods were main plots, cropping intervals (3) were sub-plots, and varieties were sub-sub-plots. Yield data (lbs./acre) showed significant interactions between harvest periods x cropping intervals for leaf numbers and yield, harvest periods x varieties, and cropping intervals x varieties. The 18-day cropping interval had the highest yields over all harvest periods; while varieties responded differently for each harvest period, and cropping intervals. ‘Hi-Crop Hybrid’ had the highest yield over all harvest periods and cropping intervals, followed by ‘Georgia ‘and ‘Heirloom.

Air and Soil Temperature Readings, Growing Degree Days, and Chilling Hours Recorded in Two Wiregrass Tunnel Houses Located in East Central Alabama

The study examined air and soil temperature readings, growing degree days, and chilling hours recorded in two Wiregrass tunnel houses during the 2018-2019 season. The monthly average ambient temperature, was 15OF warmer inside the Tunnel House (75/60OF) during the Cool/Cold months, and 17OF warmer inside (90/73OF) during the Warm/Hot seasons of 2018 and 2019. Growing Degree Days heat unit (HU) accumulations were higher inside than outside 4,154 vs. 3,153 HU for the Cool/Cold months and 5,134 vs. 4,800 HU for the Warm/Hot months. Chilling hour accumulations were lower inside the tunnel houses than outside the tunnel houses, 601vs. 671 hr. Utilizing the temperature data from this study, a planting guide consisting of a Cool/Cold (September-February) season and Warm/Hot (March-August) season was developed for a list of crops which producers could plant. The results of this study provides information for growers to better plan their crop choices and planting schedules