Author
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Russo, Vincent |
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Submitted to: Journal of Vegetable Crop Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Vegetable producers are interested in methods to improve yields. A study was conducted at Lane, Okla., to determine if four planting dates, three fertilizer rates, and sequence of crops on the same beds affected yields of vegetables. All crops were harvested once. Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L., cv. Pip) was the first crop in the sequence for each planting date. Crops planted in sequence with bell pepper were cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Calypso) or tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Early Pear) for processing, or bunch onion [Allium cepa (L.) Cepa group, cv. Crystal Wax White]. For the first planting date in both years the growing season was long enough for a third sequential crop. Tomato yields, and percent of red fruit, were below those of other regions. The bell pepper- cucumber sequence produced the highest yields for the first two planting dates. Increased fertilizer did not affect yield of sequentially planted crops, but reduced bell pepper yield. This was likel because the additional fertilizer was used to produce vegetative rather than reproductive portions of the plant. Growing multiple vegetable crops on the same land should improve farm income. Other combinations of sequentially planted crops need examination to determine which have the highest yields. Technical Abstract: Where a long growing season exists, sequential planting on the same land could increase vegetable yields. Cropping sequence, planting date, and fertilizer rate can also affect yield. At Lane, Okla., bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L., cv. Pip) was always the first crop, and was followed in sequence with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Calypso) or rtomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Early Pear) for processing, or bunch onion [Allium cepa (L.) Cepa group, cv. Crystal Wax White]. Each crop was harvested once. Each sequence was begun monthly from mid-April to mid-July in each of two years, and with three fertilizer rates [recommended rate, and 1.5-, and 2-fold the recommended rate]. For the earliest planting in both years, the growing season was long enough for a third crop. The fourth planting failed in both years. Tomato yields, and percent of red fruit, were below norms for other regions where processing tomatoes are produced. The bell pepper and cucumber sequence had the highest yields for the first two planting dates. Increasing fertilizer rate reduced bell pepper yield, but had little effect on yield of crops planted in sequence with bell pepper. Producing multiple vegetable crops on the same land should improve farm income. |
