Vegetable Production Budgets for a High Tunnel

Figure high tunnel profitability for vegetable production with the systems and budgets described in this publication. The information is based on the detailed production records of five farmers growing crops such as bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs, lettuce, and tomatoes.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_pubs/1015/thumbnail.jp

Systematic Approach to Food Safety Education on the Farm

Food safety education from farm to end user is essential in the mitigation of food safety concerns associated with fresh produce. Iowa State University developed a multi-disciplinary three-level sequential program ( Know, Show, Go ) to provide a holistic approach to food safety education. This program provides knowledge on GAP (Know); guides development and documentation of food safety practices (Show); and aids in grower\u27s readiness for third party auditing (Go). Evaluations suggest this program is effective in changing long term food safety knowledge, attitude, and behaviors. The multi-disciplinary sequential approach can be used by other Extension programs to reach

High Tunnel Bramble Production

High tunnels are polyethylene covered shelters being used in the vegetable industry to advance or extend the harvest season for many high value crops. Unlike traditional greenhouses, no supplemental heating is used in high tunnels. Brambles(raspberries and blackberries) are high value fruits that have good economic potential on small farms, but under Iowa conditions, they are not without risk. Traditionally, both crops are produced on biennial canes that grow vegetatively the first season (primocanes), and fruit in the second growing season (floricanes)

Greek Oregano—A Niche Crop for Iowa?

The project was the result of a discussion with an Iowa-based company specializing in allnatural health care products for livestock and companion animals. They are interested in finding local sources of oregano oil because they currently import more than 8,000 lb annually from a European supplier. Greek oregano oil is used in animal care products and other pharmaceuticalsfor its carvacrol content, which has shown to have antimicrobial properties. Their product specifications require oil that contains a minimum of 65% carvacrol and 3% thymol

High Tunnel Bramble Production

In 2006, a study was initiated at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm (ARF) to evaluate the potential for growing high-value floricane and primocane type raspberries and blackberries in a high tunnel. The objectives were to determine if a high tunnel could be used to improve over-wintering of cold sensitive floricane types, and if the harvest season of primocane types could be advanced far enough ahead that they could replace the floricane types in such a production system. A second objective was to determine if these crops could be grown in a high tunnel without pesticides or minimum pesticide usage. This report summarizes the results for the 2009 through 2011growing seasons

High Tunnel Bramble Production

High tunnels are polyethylene covered shelters being used in the vegetable industry to advance or extend the harvest season for many high value crops. Unlike traditional greenhouses, no supplemental heating is used in high tunnels. In 2006, a study was initiated at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm (ARF) and the Horticulture Research Station (HRS) to evaluate the potential for growing highvalue floricane and primocane type raspberries and blackberries in a high tunnel. The objectives were to determine if a high tunnel could be used to improve over-wintering of cold sensitive floricane types, and if the harvest season of primocane types could be advanced enough that they could replace the floricane types in such a production system. A second objective was to determine if these crops could be grown in a high tunnel without pesticides or minimum pesticide usage. This report summarizes the results for the 2008 growing season

Co-Inoculation and Sulfur Fertilization in Soybeans

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rely on large nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen (N), to produce seeds with high nutritional value. Biological N fixation (BNF) supplies most of the plant N demand and enhancement of this process might improve cropping systems’ sustainability. Although seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. for soybean crop is a well-known management practice, co-inoculation with the freeliving N-fixer Azospirillum brasilense has not been deeply investigated in the US, to our knowledge. Thus, this research explores the effect of co-inoculation with A. brasilense on soybean yield and seed nutritional quality (protein, oil, essential and sulfur (S) amino acids concentration) under contrasting fertilizer S rates. Two-way factorial experiments were conducted in Manhattan and Topeka (KS, US) during the 2019 growing season. Sulfur rates of 0 and 20 lb/a were combined with four inoculation strategies: 1) non-inoculated, 2) seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, 3) A. brasilense, and 4) co-inoculation using both bacteria. The proportion of BNF was estimated via the relative abundance of ureide-N (RAU) at the R5 stage (beginning seed filling). Shoot dry mass was also assessed at R5, as well as seed yield and seed size (1000-seed weight) at harvest time (R8 stage). Dry basis concentration of seed components was also determined (protein, oil, essential and sulfur amino acids). None of the treatment factors significantly (P \u3c 0.05) influenced any observed trait. Overall, RAU averaged 80%, seed yield 65 bu/a, protein 42%, and oil 20%. Future research is necessary to eventually capture effects from co-inoculation and S fertilization in soybeans