|
FRUIT, VEGETABLE GROWERS ATTEND AU FIELD DAY
CULLMAN, Ala.__--Rattlesnake, a local pole bean variety favorite, and
Bertina, a new variety from California, were the top producers in an
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station variety test, according to Auburn
researcher Gene Hunter. Speaking at a Fruit and Vegetable Field Day
at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation, Hunter pointed out that
Rattlesnake was the earliest maturing variety, at 49 days, and Bertina
was one of the longest maturing at 58 days.
In addition to Bertina and Rattlesnake, which produced about 20,000
pounds per acre each, Gold Marie, a yellow pole bean, produced over
18,000 pounds per acre, as did Belmont. Hunter told the crowd of about
100 commercial growers and home gardeners that interest in pole beans
among producers in the area was instrumental in establishing the pole
bean variety test at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation here.
Sweet potatoes have long been a staple crop in the Cullman/Sand Mountain
area, but the old production practice of growing slips in old sawdust
may be reducing yields, according to Auburn researcher Jim Dangler.
In comparison with new sawdust and a commercial bark media, old, reused
sawdust produced fewer sweet potato slips. In addition, slips in the
old sawdust media were smaller and less vigorous. Dangler noted that
several sweet potato varieties were tested and all showed similar increased
production when new sawdust or bark media were used, compared to old
sawdust.
Auburn researcher Billy Dozier told the group about two relatively new
crops that have some potential for north Alabama. Kiwi, which has been
grown in Experiment Station tests in south and central Alabama for five
years, appears better suited to climates with more hours of chilling
temperatures between 32 and 45 degrees F.
Dozier pointed out that trunk wraps or misting systems would have to
be used to prevent freezes from killing kiwi plants. In tests at Clanton
in central Alabama, both freeze protection methods proved successful
about 80 percent of the time in protecting kiwi from severe freezes,
he said.
The kiwi planting at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation was established
in June, so it will be about three years before researchers can determine
how well they will flower and fruit in north Alabama. Another crop,
however, Asian pears, is already in its third year and the first crop
will be harvested in late summer or early fall.
Dozier warned that the most popular Asian pear varieties grown in California
appear to be the most susceptible to fire blight in Alabama. These varieties,
all native to Japan, include 20th Century, Meteitsu, Ya-Li and Doitsu.
Other varieties not affected by fire blight are Erishinte, Kikusui,
Chojuro, Shinko, Hosui and Sevui.
Dozier also told the growers about two new apple varieties, Fuji, a
Japanese variety, and Braben, from New Zealand, which thrive in hot
temperatures. Unlike the currently grown apples, which are ideally suited
to cooler climates of Washington, Michigan and New York, these new apples
require much less chilling time and the soluble solids actually increase
in warmer temperatures, according to Dozier.
Though peaches are commonly grown in north Alabama, frost damage to
blooms in the spring and winter kill of trees are major limitations
to production in the area. Auburn researcher Arnold Caylor noted that
in variety tests at Cullman, peaches that require 850-1,000 hours of
chilling have survived cold weather much better than some more popular
varieties that require only 600-800 hours of chilling. Sure Crop, Winblo
and Norman are varieties that appear to be well suited to production
in north Alabama, according to Caylor.
One of the highlights of the meeting, which included tours of research
plots and discussion by Auburn researchers, was a look at two new watermelon
varieties: AU Scarlet and AU Producer-Yellow. Scarlet is a thin-rinded
melon, with bright red flesh. AU Producer-Yellow is a yellow meated
sister variety to AU Producer. These varieties, along with AU Jubilant,
were released by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station breeding
program, according to Auburn researcher George Boyhan.
Joe Norton, a professor of horticulture at Auburn and head of the fruit
breeding program, showed the visitors some samples of his 30-year breeding
program. The latest plum varieties developed by Norton's research team
include AU Amber, AU Rosa, AU Homeside, AU Roadside, AU Cherry, AU Producer
and AU Rubrum. Norton noted that all these plums are suitable for home
use and roadside markets, but Rubrum is the best suited for commercial
production.
Marlin Hollingsworth, superintendent of the 160-acre North Alabama Horticulture
Substation, noted that the large turnout is indicative of the interest
in fruit and vegetable crops in the Cullman area. "We appreciate
the people coming out to see results of the research we do here at the
Substation, and we appreciate the interest of Extension agents in bringing
people to the meeting, and to the researchers at Auburn, who are always
willing to take their time to come to the Substation to meet with groups
like this one," Hollingsworth concluded.
-30-
By:
Roy Roberson
July 25, 1991
|
