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Variety trials provide valuable data for Iowa vegetable producers

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Publish time: 5th May, 2016      Source: Ames, Iowa, USA
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Variety trials provide valuable data for Iowa vegetable producersVariety trials provide valuable data for Iowa vegetable producers" title="Share this link on Facebook">Ames, Iowa, USAMay 5, 2016For backyard and hobby gardeners, the colorful photos and eloquent descriptions found in today’s seed catalogs can be an enticing means of choosing what to plant. But for many commercial fruit and vegetable producers, those details are insufficient for making major decisions about which varieties to grow for their businesses. Often, these descriptions are not specific to Iowa – and they rarely account for a farm’s unique growing conditions or management practices.Pepper research plot at ZJ FarmsToaddress this information gap, five Iowa fruit and vegetable growers conducted on-farm research in 2015 comparing the performance of two bell pepper varieties on their farms. This summer, these farmers are expanding their research to assess summer broccoli, determinate tomatoes grown in high tunnels and annual flowering herbs for pollinator health.This research, conducted in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, is yielding valuable data on how different varieties perform in Iowa growing conditions, soil types and management systems, and arming Iowa fruit and vegetable growers with data they need to make informed business decisions.Participating farmers include Rick Hartmann, of Small Potatoes Farm in Minburn; Susan Jutz, of ZJ Farms in Solon; Tim Landgraf, of One Step at a Time Gardens in Kanawha; Alice McGary, of Mustard Seed Community Farm in Ames; and Mark Quee, of Scattergood Farm at the Scattergood Friends School in West Branch.“Field trials have been hugely advantageous to my farm operation,” says Susan, who has been conducting on-farm research on her own and with Practical Farmers for more than 20 years. “I can make data-based decisions rather than anecdotal decisions. I can read all the information I want from Johnny's or other seed catalogs, but how does it work in my system? The only way to answer that question is to run a trial on our farm.”Tim landgraf in pepper research plot at harvest time, October 11, 2015Bell pepper researchThe two bell pepper varieties studied in 2015 – Olympus and Revolution – were chosen by the farmers because of positive farmer experience, the similarities between the two, and the availability of organic and untreated seed. Participants planted four replications of each pepper variety in randomized pairs of research plots. Specific management details – such as plant spacing, mulching, irrigation, harvest frequency, and disease and pest management practices – were decided by the individual farmers.While this set-up meant average end-of-season yields differed by farm – an expected finding – certain distinct trends emerged. Three farms found that Revolution produced heavier and more peppers, while two farms found no difference in yield. When all farms were analyzed together, Revolution yielded significantly more than Olympus (an average of 4.3 pounds per plant for Revolution to 4.03 pounds per plant for Olympus).The full research report – “Bell Pepper Variety Trial – Olympus and Revolution” – is available online at http://www.cnchemicals.com/ Farms was one of the farms that found no yield difference between Revolution and Olympus. Susan says both underperformed compared to Ace, her preferred pepper variety. However, she explains this is due to her specific management practices. “If we used Revolution or Olympus, we would have to adjust our system. They didn't perform in our system the way Ace does. If we wanted to go to a big green bell pepper, such as Revolution or Olympus, we now know how to do that.”More research – and a field day – to comeEncouraged by the utility of the bell pepper variety trial’s farm-specific data, the same farmers are expanding their focus to examine other crop varieties. This summer, they, and additional farms, are conducting on-farm research to learn which broccoli variety performs best as a summer broccoli in Iowa (harvested primarily in July and August); which determinate tomato variety performs best in high tunnels; and which of three annual flowering herbs is most attractive to pollinators.Tim Landgraf and Jan Libbey of One Step at a Time Gardens are participating in this new research, and will host a free Practical Farmers field day on Aug. 14 to share preliminary results and highlight the process and importance of their on-farm research.“We participate with PFI because we gain even more insights working through the experience together with other farmers,” Tim says. “Also, by having data from other producers across Iowa, we get a glimpse of how robust the conclusions are.”Funding for the bell pepper variety research was provided by Ceres Trust. The three forthcoming variety trials are also funded by Ceres Trust, as well as the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Cooperators’ Program helps farmers use accepted scientific methods to help them transition to more sustainable and economically profitable systems through research, record-keeping and demonstration projects. The Cooperators’ Program began in 1987 with farmers looking to save money through more judicious use of inputs, and now includes research on a wide range of field crop, livestock, horticulture, on-farm energy and cover crop questions.Practical Farmers of Iowa strengthens farms and communities through farmer-led investigation and information-sharing. Our values include: welcoming everyone; creativity, collaboration and community; viable farms now and for future generations; and stewardship and ecology. Founded in 1985, farmers in our network raise corn, soybeans, livestock, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. To learn more, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/ news from: Practical Farmers of Iowa Website: http://www.cnchemicals.com/: May 5, 2016The news item on this page is copyright by the organization where it originatedFair use notice