Search

Abstract: In 2002 and 2003, flaming was conducted to assess weed control and crop quality in tomato and cabbage. Various tractor speeds (0 (unflamed), 4, 8, and 12kmh−1 (2002 only)), flaming times (morning, afternoon (2002 only)), and bed types (raised beds, flat ground) were employed. In both years, flaming damaged cabbage more severely than tomato, however, by 15–20 days after flaming (DAF), all plants had recovered. Flaming provided greater weed control than the unweeded control in 2002, with up to 80% control 50 DAF. Due to extremely wet conditions in 2003, weed control was not sustained. Grasses and succulent weeds were harder to control than broad leafed weeds. Flaming reduced blossom end rot incidence in tomato. Yields in both crops were greater in the slower speed treatments than the weedy control. Flaming compared favorably with control attainable with herbicides, but control was more variable and sensitive to environmental conditions than generally expected of herbicides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This is the second of two related reports dealing with the effects of cultivar x environment interactions on cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., Capitata Group) crop traits. This study examined planting date and cultivar effects on physical head traits of processing cabbage and compared these findings to those from a similar study of fresh market cabbage. Six cultivars of processing cabbage were planted in May and June-July of 1999 and 2000 at the OARDC Vegetable Crops Research Branch in Fremont, Ohio. Marketable yield for each crop was determined, and measurements were taken of head weight, diameter, density, and volume, and core length, base width, and volume on more than 450 individual heads. Head and core volume and head density were calculated from these direct measures. Year, planting date, and cultivar significantly affected the majority of head traits. May planting led to higher marketable yield and heavier heads with larger diameters than June-July planting. The most variable trait across cultivars was head volume, which was affected by planting date in all cultivars. Differences between processing and fresh market cabbage were found. Average head polar/equatorial diameter values were affected by planting date in the fresh market but not the processing study. In contrast, head density and core volume as a percent of head volume were affected by planting date in the processing but not the fresh market study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield and relationships among head traits were recorded in order to better understand the effects of planting date and cultivar selection on crop quality characteristics and to help increase the efficiency of cultivar development, evaluation, and selection. A total of seven cultivars of fresh market-type cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., Capitata Group) were planted in May and June of 1999 and 2000 at the OARDC Vegetable Crops Research Branch in Fremont, Ohio. Total and marketable yield, head traits (e.g., size, weight, density), and core dimensions were recorded at harvest. Main effects of year (Y), planting date (PI)), and cultivar (C) and the Y x C interaction significantly affected seven to 10 of 10 head and core traits. However, the PD x C interaction was significant for head density, the ratio of head polar and equatorial diameter, and core base width. The Y x PD interaction was significant for six of 10 head and core traits. May planting tended to result in greater yield and larger, heavier heads with greater polar/equatorial diameter values relative to June planting. However, head density was unaffected by planting date. The number of head and core traits affected by planting date differed among cultivars. For example, six of 10 head and core traits were significantly affected by planting date in 'Cheers' and 'DPSX315' while one trait was affected by planting date in 'SuperElite Hybrid'. The weight of numerous, individual, market-ready, trimmed heads showed a strong (avg. R² value = 0.92) quadratic relationship to average head diameter. These data suggest that large-scale germplasm evaluations may benefit by including multiple plantings, as head weight, volume, diameter, and shape were affected by planting date, possibly due to variation in temperature and rainfall patterns. The data also suggest that routine measurement of numerous head traits in the same evaluations may be unnecessary, as selected traits (e.g., diameter and weight, head volume, and... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]