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Thesis
NEW CROPS AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR NORTHWEST WASHINGTON
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
01/2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004548
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125138
Abstract
The cool summer climate of northwest Washington limits the production of high value crops such as cantaloupe and sweetpotato that grow well within the temperature range of 30‒35 ℃. Due to the strong market potential for high-value locally produced crops in this region, the goal of this study was to test two production techniques, grafting and soil-biodegradable plastic mulch (BDM), to overcome climate limitations. The grafting study evaluated three cantaloupe cultivars (Sugar Rush, Goddess, and Athena) nongrafted and grafted onto four rootstock cultivars (Carolina Strongback, Super Shintosa, Carnivor, and Pelop) to assess if marketable cantaloupes can be grown in this region and to identify suitable grafting combinations. Grafting overcame decline in plant stand prior to harvest that might be due to sudden wilt, an issue in cool soils, and produced greater fruit yield and comparable fruit quality with nongrafted cantaloupe. Cantaloupe cultivars were compatible with ‘Super Shintosa’ and ‘Carnivor’ rootstocks but were incompatible with ‘Carolina Strongback’ and ‘Pelop’. The BDM study evaluated ‘Covington’ sweetpotato grown with polyethylene (PE) mulch and BDM and also three different plant spacings (20, 30 and 38 cm) to ascertain if sweetpotato could be suitable for production in this region. This study also evaluated six wireworm-resistant accessions to address this identified pest problem. Both PE mulch and BDM produced comparable total and marketable yield (18.5 and 14 t‧ha-1, respectively). Results showed that 20-cm in-row spacing is suitable for the greatest production of roots for fresh market and fries, while a 30-cm in-row spacing is suitable for the processing puree market. Additionally, 43 educational materials (PowerPoint slides, lecture slides, presenter notes, fact sheets and videos) with the current science-based information on BDM were developed and posted on our website https://smallfruits.wsu.edu/plastic-mulches/. Agricultural professionals were provided this information as a resource guide via professional development training.
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Details
- Title
- NEW CROPS AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR NORTHWEST WASHINGTON
- Creators
- Srijana Shrestha
- Contributors
- Carol Miles (Advisor)Lisa DeVetter (Committee Member)Deirdre Ellen Griffin LaHue (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 210
- Identifiers
- OCLC#: 1371059388; 99900898538901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis