Recently, we hosted a Willamette Valley Vegetable Education Day at NWREC. The link includes slides from our presenters on a variety of topics including pest management, irrigation, and cover crop selection.
For more field days and workshops, check out the NWREC Events calendar and the College of Agricultural Sciences Field Days calendar.
Introduction
Phosphorus pollution of the Willamette River and its tributaries is a problem affecting agriculture in western Oregon. Many of our soils are high in available (soluble) P, as measured by the tests commonly used to determine plant-availability of P. Consequently, many streams have background levels of P that are conducive to algal blooms and poor water quality for fisheries and recreational use. Agriculture may also contribute to P pollution of streams through the use of large amounts of phosphate fertilizers and is under pressure to reduce P applications.
This project focuses on developing and evaluating strip-tillage vegetable production systems which integrate winter-annual cover crops. Goals include increasing farm income and enhancing soil and water quality.
Grower Participants:
Objective: to evaluate the impacts of N availability, microbial activity, and root health on corn productivity and yield in high biomass cover crop systems.
Barbercheck, M. and E. Zaborski, 2009. Insect Pest Management: Differences Between Conventional and Organic Farming Systems . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/19915.
Objective: Identify sweet corn hybrids with suitable processing quality that have high, stable yields and tolerance to root rot disease complex.
A network of local weather stations may provide the processed vegetable industry with more accurate weather forecasts. Local weather data may enhance our ability to predict crop developmental stages, insect pest population trends, and disease high-risk periods.
Objectives:
This project focuses on developing and evaluating strip-tillage vegetable production systems which integrate winter-annual cover crops. Goals include increasing farm income and enhancing soil and water quality. A new strip-till machine using chisel plows and rolling fluted coulters was tested in seven on-farm, paired comparisons with conventional "grower practice" tillage for sweet corn production.
Grower Participants:
Introduction
Barbercheck, M., 2009. Ecological Understanding of Insects in Organic Farming Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18906
Objectives:
To develop and evaluate integrated cover crop/strip-tillage systems for sweet corn, snap bean and broccoli production which enhance economic profitability and enhance soil conservation and water quality.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of each trial was to:
Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. High Tunnel Materials. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18367
OBJECTIVE for 1997:
COOPERATORS:
Project Leader: Ed Peachey, Horticulture Department, OSU
Cooperators: Alex Stone, Horticulture Department, OSU, Cook Farms, Albany, OR
Objectives
1. Develop strategies to manage weeds in newly constructed wildlife habitat using registered and unregistered PRE and POST herbicides.
2. Pursue Special Local Need registration of promising herbicides if test results warrant advance.
Objective 1: Evaluation of commercial sweet corn varieties and inbred germplasm in small plots for susceptibility to seed rot/damping-off as well as root, stalk, and crown rot. Objective 2: Evaluation of microbial (biofungicides) and chemical treatments for suppression of sweet corn seed rot/damping-off, root rot, and crown rot.Objective 3: Cooperate with other sweet corn projects (cultivar screenings, etc.) within and outside of OSU programs.
Weston, G., J. Eveland, J. Jebbia, and A. Stone, 2009. Incorporating High Tunnels into a Diversified Organic Vegetable Farm in Oregon: Case Study of Gathering Together Farm. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18352
Objective 1: Evaluate commercial sweet corn varieties and inbred germplasm in small plots for susceptibility to root rot, stalk node rot, and crown rot. Objective 2: Examine the relationship between Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle reproduction and seed microbial communities.
Stone, A., L. Brewer, and M. Colley, 2009. Non-Governmental Seed Testing Organizations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18443
Pool, K., 2009. Introduction to Season Extension in Organic Vegetable Production Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18366
Gatch, E., 2009. Organic Seed Treatments and Coatings . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18952.
Sabry, E. , A. Garay, and E. Gatch, 2009. Seed Quality Testing and Certification: Resources Useful in Organic Seed Production . eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18331.
Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Siting High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18365
Navazio, J., F. Morton, M. Colley, A. Stone, and L. Brewer, 2009. Pollination and Fertilization in Organic Seed Production. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18434.
Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Introduction to High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18358
Colley, M. and B. Baker, 2009. Sourcing Certified Organic Seed and the National Organic Program Regulations. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18338
Project Objectives 1. Implement and evaluate a Pilot IPM scouting program for the WSCB in snap beans 2. Evaluate WSCB seasonal aggregation and movement patterns within diversifi ed vegetable cropping systems 3. Evaluate the potential for “trap and kill” strategies as cultural control components of an IPM program for the WSCB
Cabbage maggot, Delia Drassicae, can be a highly injurious pest of cauliflower and other cole crops. Its host range also includes radish, turnip and rutabaga as well as cruciferous weeds such as wild radish and wild mustard. This study investigated current management practices to identify those that most effectively reduce cabbage maggot damage. The infestation process, oviposition habits, and life cycle of cabbage maggot were examined, as well as the interaction of these processes with cultural practices and chemical controls.
Cox, B.H., 2009. Field Production of Organic Tomatoes. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18653
This project is investigating whether low rate (goal: one pound per acre) early fall Contans applications to flailed diseased residues left on the soil surface can increase Cm inoculum and reduce Ss sclerotial viability.
Marriott, E., 2009. Making and Using Compost for Organic Farming. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18567
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The goal: to develop a comprehensive list of likely efficiency opportunities that might be found in the processed vegetable growing sector, along with templates for analyzing and presenting opportunities. As it is prepared, this content is being put on line for use by EEC staff as well as the general public. Some of the content that has been developed is included at the end of this report.
Miller, S.A., 2009. Managing Diseases of Organic Tomatoes in Greenhouses and High Tunnels. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18337
Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of legume-based cover crops to organic vegetable production.
Cox, B.H. and T. Coolong, 2009. Management of Non-Pathogenic Fruit Disorders of Tomato in Organic Production Systems. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18629
Introduction
Higher yields and improved root quality are essential for processing carrot growers to remain competitive. Nitrogen fertilizer applications usually range from 50 to 100 pounds N/acre with most between 50 and 80 pounds. More research is needed to clarify yield response to N, especially at higher rates, and the influence of N on such root characteristics as diameter, length, splitting, and rots. Yield response to application of banded P fertilizer is also poorly understood.
For bean production in the Willamette Valley, perhaps one of the most obvious objectives is resistance to white mold (Sclerotinia) since this pathogen is difficult to control using chemicals and no native resistance has been found in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). It has been shown that the production of oxalic acid by the fungus Sclerotinia is the primary cause of pathogenicity. If the oxalic acid can be degraded rapidly by the plant, the symptoms of infection can be inhibited.
OBJECTIVES:
Stone, A. 2009. High Tunnels on Organic Vegetable Farms: Case Studies. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18362.
Objectives:
COOPERATORS:
Stone, A. 2009. Organic Management of Late Blight of Potato and Tomato (Phytophthora infestans). eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18361.