Vegetables - BMP in Florida - Research
Season 2006-2007

• Introduction
• Objectives
• Field trial
• Results
• Conclusions (Viewing)

Summary for the 2006-2007 seasons:

1. On farm trials continue to be a growers preferred research for N BMP studies. Extensive one-on-one grower contact was an effective means to engage growers in the implementation and outcome of this research and demonstration project.
   
   
2. Petiole sap NO3-N and K concentrations throughout the season tended to be above the UF-IFAS sufficiency threshold for all N treatments and seasons.
   
   
3. In this dry season, IFAS and grower rates produced significant higher yield in first harvest of extra-large tomatoes and total yields in 1 and 2 out of 13 trials [ Table 4 (P<0.05)] respectively.  The trend indicated an increase in total yield and first harvest extra-large and total extra-large fruit from 20 to 240 lb/acre N, but a plateau with higher rates of N.  These results show that it may be possible to reduce N rates especially when the risk of rainfall is low (winter, spring and dry year), or when only two harvests are expected (late spring).
   
   
4. A cooperators grower’s survey during 2007 indicated that they would like to continue two more years with N-BMP studies with a total of five year study.  The main areas of interests are: testing grower vs. IFAS N rates under dry, moderate rainfall and a wet years; testing N rates in different crops: cherry, grape, plum, peppers, etc.; testing P, K and minor with N; continue with the economics of N; fall, winter and spring studies with multiple N rates in different farms; more drip and N; and finally more data is need in the early fall with high rainfall.