Author
Abdul Baki, Aref | |
BRYAN, H - UNIV FL | |
KLASSEN, W - UNIV FL | |
WANG, Q - UNIV FL | |
LI, Y - UNIV FL | |
CODALLO, M - UNIV FL |
Submitted to: American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2003 Publication Date: 8/1/2003 Citation: ABDUL BAKI, A.A., BRYAN, H.H., KLASSEN, W., WANG, Q.R., LI, Y., CODALLO, M. COVER CROPS AS ALTERNATIVES TO METHYL BROMIDE IN FRESH-MARKET TOMATO PRODUCTION. HORTSCIENCE. 2003. VOL. 38(5). P. 822. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: A two-year experiment was conducted at Homestead, Florida to evaluate use of biological alternatives to methyl bromide (MeBr) in growing fresh-market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.). The biological alternative system consisted of a cropping rotation in which the nematode resistant cover crops [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Iron Clay), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana) or sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea cv. Tropic Sun)] were followed by 'Sanibel', a nematode resistant tomato cultivar in 2001 and `Leila' a nematode susceptible cultivar for 2002. Harvested fruits were graded following Florida Tomato Committee Standards, and separated into extra large and total marketable. There were no significant differences in extra large fruits among the MeBr and the cover crop treatments in 2001. Yields of extra large fruits were higher in the cowpea and sunn hemp treatments than in MeBr treatment in 2002. Total marketable yield in 2001 was highest in MeBr and lowest in cowpea. Total marketable yield in 2002 was significantly highest in sunn hemp whereas, yields were similar in MeBr and velvetbean. In both years, the percentage of extra-large fruits was very high and total marketable yields of all treatments were higher than average yields for South Florida. Comparisons of production costs and net returns show that the alternative cropping systems have higher net returns than the MeBr system and are safer to the environment. |