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| [Image: Summer Flavor 710]Watermelon Variety Demonstration Plots in 2008 Eighteen varieties of watermelon were planted at three locations in Louisiana in the summer of 2008. The varieties were evaluated for yield , shape, weight of melons, foliage degree of sunburning, rind color, rind thickness, flesh clor, seed color, seed size, size of seed cavity and soluble solids. |
| [Image: White Granex ]The Evaluation of Onion Varieties at the Burden Research Center, Baton Rouge, La., in the Spring of 2008. Twelve onion varieties were planted in replicated plots at the Burden Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA in January of 2008. Plants were obatined from Bland Farms, Glennville, GA, Dixondale Farms, Carrizo Springs, TX and Dietrich Gembler, Knippa, TX. The varietes were evaluated for maturity, yield, bulb size, bulb shape, degree of bolting, degree of double bulbs and tast |
| Southeastern US 2009 Vegetable Crop Handbook The 2009 Vegetable Crop Handbook is a 200-plus-page glossy publication that includes all the latest information on vegetable production as well as insect, disease and weed control put together by a cooperative effort of extension vegetable specialists in the southeastern states. This is an effort to take advantage of research efforts from other states to provide up-to-date research-based information to help vegetable growers. |
| [Image: SWEET CORN IS A POPULAR AT ROADSIDE STANDS AND FARMERS MARKETS ]Results of Bt Sweet Corn Variety Demonstration Plots in Louisiana in Summer 2008 The perfromance of eight BT sweet cron varieties planted in four locations in Louisiana in 2008. |
| [Image: Plastic mulch lifter]Removing and Collecting Plastic Mulch The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for strawberry and vegetable growers, but there are two major problems with plastic mulch: it is expensive to install and at some point it has to be removed from the field. Several machines are available that help simplify the removal of the mulch. |
| [Image: Carrot knives]Knifing Carrots When growing carrots for commercial production, it is helpful to run a knife in the soil beside the rows. This breaks up any soil compaction, allowing the carrot roots to grow straight. |
| [Image: Commercial Growing of Greenhouse Tomatoes ]Commercial Growing of Greenhouse Tomatoes This publication includes information on soil preparation, fertilization, training, pruning, nutrient solutions, pollination, harvesting, marketing, and insect and disease control for greenhouse tomatoes. |
| [Image: commercial vegetable production]Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Number of seeds/pound, seeding rate/acre, spacing, planting dates, optimum soil temperature range for germination, depth to plant seed, days to germinate, days from planting to harvest begins, approximate time from pollination to market and recommended varieties included. Revised May 2009. |
| [Image: bulk metering planter]Vegetable Seeders There is a wide range of seeder types and models available for direct seeding vegetable crops. Smaller growers typically use the less expensive seeders; larger growers can justify more expensive precision seeders. |
| [Image: cone guide wheel]Cone Guide Wheels Cone guide wheels are the heart of a precision cultural system (PCS). Cone guide wheels allow an implement to follow along a shaped bed with no effort on the part of the tractor driver. |
| [Image: Vertical plate seeder]Precision Vertical Plate Seeder for Vegetables Precision vertical plate seeders are available for planting many vegetable crops. These seeders use a vertical metal plate with the cells (holes) on the edge. |
| [Image: Precision cultivation using cone guide wheels]Precision Sweep Cultivation for Vegetable Crops Cultivation is essential for nearly all commercial vegetable crops since herbicide choices are limited and vegetable crops cannot tolerate much weed competition. A basic sweep cultivator can do an excellent job of precision cultivation if set up and equipped properly. |
| [Image: Produce Marketing]Tune Up Your Produce Marketing Good marketing is the process of fulfilling the objectives of both the buyer and the seller. The factors you have some control over are the 4 Ps of product, price, placement and promotion. Here are some tips to help you tune up your produce marketing plan. |
| [Image: Selling Your Greenhouse Tomatoes]Selling Your Greenhouse Tomatoes Greenhouse tomatoes are about a $2.2 million business in Louisiana, assuming growers can sell what they produce for a profit. Learn the secrets of turning a profit from your tomatoes. |
| [Image: Openers for Stanhay seeder]Openers, Coverers and Presswheels for Precision Vegetable Seeders All vegetable seeders require openers, coverers and presswheels to provide a furrow for the seeds and to then cover the seeds and assure proper soil contact. These devices must be matched to the soil type and condition for optimum germination and seedling vigor. |
| [Image: Precision rotary tiller - cultivator]Rotary Tiller/Cultivator for Precision Cultivation A standard sweep cultivator can do an excellent job of cultivating vegetable crops once the plants reach 4-6 inches, but it must run very slowly in small crops (1-2 inches) and has a tendency to throw soil over the crop plants. An alternative is a rotary tiller/cultivator. |
| [Image: Bedding prior to bed shaping]Precision Bed Shaping for Commercial Vegetable Production A key component of a precision cultural system is precision bed shaping. A precisely shaped bed is essential to locate the crop row properly when planting and to provide a basis for guidance of subsequent operations. |
| Commercial Organic Vegetable Production Workshop Summary Based upon the recent success of the SSAWG sponsored “Commercial Organic Vegetable Production Workshop”, the Louisiana SARE PDP Program has been able to assess the sustainable agriculture education needs of agriculture professionals and farmers. |
| [Image: High-speed straight tines for cultivator]High-speed Precision Cultivation of Vegetable Crops A basic sweep cultivator can do an excellent job of cultivating vegetable crops but must be run slowly (1-2 mph) when the crop plants are small. A simple modification to a sweep cultivator allows high-speed cultivation of small vegetable crops. |
| Sources for Plastic Mulch Lifters This article provides links to sources for plastic mulch lifters. |
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| [Image: older offset vegetable tractor]Tractors for Vegetable Production Vegetable growers have many choices in tractors, ranging from older, smaller tractors to large, new tractors. Many are designed specifically for vegetable work. |
| Belt Seeders for Commercial Vegetable Crops Many years of testing at the LSU AgCenter have demonstrated that precision belt seeders deliver the best seed spacing uniformity of any type of vegetable seeder – if the seeds are spherical (round) or nearly so. Belt seeders are versatile and can meter a wide range of seed types and sizes. |
| Plans for a Machine to Collect Plastic Mulch The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for strawberry and vegetable growers, but there are two major problems with plastic mulch: It is expensive to install and at some point it has to be removed from the field. Drawings are available to use in building a mulch collector. This machine allows easier retrieval of the used mulch. |
| Vacuum Seeders for Commercial Vegetable Crops Vacuum seeders are popular among larger commercial vegetable growers. They do a good job of singulating most vegetable seeds. They are especially useful for singulating the oddly shaped seeds that cause problems for most other types of seeders. |
| Performance of Hot-Set Tomato Varieties in Louisiana: Summer & Fall, 2006 Results of hot-set tomato variety demonstration plots in Lousiana in the summer/fall of 2006. |
| Plans for Spool-type Bed Shapers Bed shapers are available in pan-type and spool-type versions. Spool-type bed shapers are not readily available on a commercial basis, but can easily be constructed. These plans provide designs and dimensions for spool-type bed shapers to fit several row sizes and configurations. The designs can easily be adjusted to accommodate different row sizes or multiple rows. |
| Pendulum-action Spreaders for Commercial Vegetables Most commercial vegetable growers apply granular fertilizer in a preplant operation, and many also make sidedress applications of granular fertilizer. An excellent way to apply granular materials in either a broadcast or banding mode is with a pendulum-action spreader. |
| Research May Reduce Cost Of Growing Tomatoes In Greenhouses BOSSIER CITY – Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse may be less costly in the future.Dr. H.Y. Hanna, an LSU AgCenter scientist working at the Red River Research Station in Bossier City, is studying how spacing between bags that hold the plants affects the amount of heat required to produce tomatoes in greenhouses. |
| Flame Weed Control Flame weed control can be an effective adjunct to cultivation for some vegetable crops and some weeds. Flame weed control fits especially well in organic operations. |
| Plans for Pan-type Bed Shapers Bed shapers are available in pan-type and spool-type versions. Pan-type bed shapers are easy to make in a farm shop. These plans will show you how to build one. |
| Protect Your Hydraulic Cylinders from Rust A common problem with hydraulic cylinders is rust and pitting of the cylinder rods. If equipment that incorporates hydraulic cylinders is stored outside with the cylinder rods extended, the rods are exposed to weathering. Eventually, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits. Once rusting and pitting occur, the rod will destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated. |
| Using a Hay Baler to Pick Up Plastic Mulch Many growers pick up plastic mulch but several machines are available for this job. Work at the LSU AgCenter has demonstrated that, in some cases, plastic mulch can be picked up by a hay baler. |
| Laying Plastic Mulch The use of plastic mulch is a common practice for nearly all strawberry growers and most vegetable growers. Installing the mulch is easier than it used to be when mulch was installed by hand, but it can be challenging. |
| Results of Bell Pepper Variety Demonstration Plots in the Summer of 2005 The performance of 23 bell pepper varieties were evaluated at the Citrus Research Station, Port Sulphur, LA, Jack Liuzza and Sons Farms, Independence, and at David Ritcher Farms in Sunset, LA. |
| Recommendations for Optimal Use of a Garden Seeder A seeder can be a tremendous aid in planting a vegetable garden. With it, you can stand and walk along the row pushing a seeder instead of having to make a furrow with a hoe, going back along the row bent over dropping seeds, and then covering and packing the row. |
| Precision Cultural System (PCS) for Commercial Vegetable Crops Growing commercial vegetables is different from growing agronomic crops and requires a different approach to equipment. A precision cultural system (PCS) developed by the LSU AgCenter can make commercial vegetable production much easier. |
| Performance of Beet Varieties: Fall 2005 to Spring 2006 Louisiana growers want a beet variety that matures early with globe-shaped roots 2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter with good exterior and interior color with tall dark green glossy tops that remain in good condition for an extended period of time. |
| Performance of Spinach Varieties: Fall 2005 to Spring 2006 Louisiana growers want a spinach variety that is early in maturing with dark green, savoy type leaves on a upright growing plant with good vigor that does not bolt. Twenty two spinach varieties were evaluated at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge, La. |
| Perfromance of Carrot Varietes: Fall 2005 to Spring 2006 Louisiana growers want a carrot variety that makes long tapered roots with good exterior and interior color and produces a high percentage of marketable roots with tall to medium tops. |
| Performance of 15 Fresh Market Tomato Varieties in Summer, 2007 Results of seven tomato vareity demonstration plots in Louisiana in the summer of 2007. |
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