VEGETABLE RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORTS

By Henry G. Taber and Vince Lawson

Department of Horticulture

Iowa State University

 

The research projects were carried out at the Horticulture Station (Gilbert), Muscatine Island Research Farm (Fruitland), and the Western Research Farm (Castana). After going to the appropriate report click on the topic of interest for downloading to your computer. You will need Acrobat Reader to see the document. If you do not have it installed on your computer you can obtain a free copy by visiting Adobe's site at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. The on-line reports go back to 1998. However, printed reports for the Muscatine Island Research Farm continue back to 1935 and for the Horticulture Station back to 1975. For specific information in both those reports contact the superintendent of the Muscatine Island Research Farm. Scroll down to see the individual crops and corresponding year of reports.

Muscatine Island Research Farm, Fruitland (SE Iowa)

The principal soil at Fruitland is an alluvial coarse sand with less than a 5 percentslope. It is excessively well drained with an organic matter content of 2.5 percent or less and a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 2 to 5 milliequivalents per 100 grams. Irrigation water is obtained from a well and is supplied by movable overhead sprinkler irrigation pipe, center pivot systems, or a tickle irrigation system.

Horticulture Station, Gilbert (Ames or central Iowa)

The Horticulture Research Station at Gilbert is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Ames, The principal soil series is the glacial Clarion-Nicollet-Webster on undulating terrain. Soil texture is largely loam to silty clay loam, well to somewhat poorly drained, 4 to 6 percent organic matter content, and 12 to 19 CEC. Irrigation water is from a collection pond and is supplied by overhead movable sprinkler pipe or trickle irrigation systems.

Western Research Farm, Castana (western Iowa)

The Western Research Farm at Castana is composed mainly of loess Ida and Monona well-drained, silt to silt loam soils, steep slopes of 14 to 22 percent, organic matter of 2 percent, and a 12 to 15 CEC. Irrigation water is supplied via trickle irrigation system from a collection pond.

The reports are not intended for recommendation for cultural practices or variety selection. For instance, fertilizer rates used are based on soil test results, and the rates are not recommended for growers on other soil types and locations. For more detailed information about research trials reported herein or specific recommendations, contact the Horticulture Department.

Trade names have been used in this publication to simplify information. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not named.

Asparagus

- variety evaluation - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
- irrigation management - 2000

Bush beans

- variety evaluation - 2000, 2001
- pole beans, high tunnel - 2008

Broccoli

- variety evaluation - 2000, 2001

Carrots

- fertilizer - 1998

Eggplant

- variety evaluation - 2005

Muskmelon

- variety evaluation - 2002, 2003, 2005
- corn gluten meal - 1998
- earliness techniques with mulches and row covers - 2002, 2008
- plant population effects - 2005

Pepper

- variety evaluation - 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005
- irrigation management - 2001, 2003, 2004
- planting date response - 2001, 2002, 2003
- high tunnel variety - 2007, 2008

Potato

- variety evaluation - 1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006

Pumpkins

- variety evaluation - 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007

Sweet Corn

- variety evaluation - continuous, all years
- earliness techniques, plastic mulch - 1998, 2008
- irrigation management - 1999, 2000
- insect control - 2001, 2008
- hebicide management - 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
- Effect of topping - 2006

Tomatoes

- variety evaluation - 1999, 2000
- high tunnel variety evaluation - 2006, 2007
- fertilizer - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007
- herbicide evaluation - 2000, 2003 , 2007
- irrigation techniques - 1998, 1999, 2007
- plastic mulch evaluation - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007
- prunning techniques - 2000
- row cover evaluation - 2008

Watermelon

- variety evaluation - 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007

Winter Squash

- variety evaluation - 2005, 2006

............And justice for all

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibitedbases apply to all programs). Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, room 326-W, Whitten Bldg., 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 202590-9410 or call 202-720-5964.