RESEARCH CO MMITTEE

RESEARCH REPORTS,

RECOMMENDATIONS

AND ABSTRACTS

VOLUME UNlVERS ITY OF GUE LPH -JAN.22-23,1975 These Research Reports, Recommendations and Abstracts are prepared for the January 22 and 23, 1975 Meeting of the Ontario Vegetable Research Cornittee. Information contained in the Research Abstracts is to be considered tentative and NOT FOR PUBLICATION. Abstracts should not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part without the written permission of the authors.

Assembling and sununarizing of information has been the responsiblity of crop committee chairmen who are credited in the Table of Contents. Recom- mendations for research are the result of committee discussion and are presented as information for the 20th Annual Meeting of the Ontario Vegetable Research Comit tee.

To all those who have contributed abstracts of their research, the Chair- men and Committee express their thanks.

H. B. Heeney OVRC Chairman CDA Experimental Farm Smi thf ield January 1975

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RESEARCH REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ABSTRACTS

Cmit tee Report (Chairman) Section Page Potato (R. Rowberry) ...... e.oa.Oo. A ...... 3 Tomato (I.L. Nonnecke) ...... B ...... 13 Greenhouse & Protected Crops (J.C. Fisher) ...... C ...... 38 Muck Crops (M. Valk) ...... D ...... 52 Crucifer Crops (A. Loughton) ...... E ...... 74 Asparagus (H. Tiessen) ...... ~oO.O.. F ...... 91

Recommendations & Abstracts not reviewed by Crop Committees Sweet Corn (R. Chard) ...... G ...... 101 Pickling Cucumbers (J. O'Sullivan) ...... H ...... 104 Slicing Cucumbers (V.W. Nuttall) ...... I ...... 109 Peas.(I.L. Nonnecke) ...... J ...... 110 Beans (R.H. Brown) ...... K ...... 111 Pepper (J.K. Muehmer) ...... L ...... 112 Beets (F. Ingratta) ...... M Spinach (S.C. Phatak) ...... N ...... 120 Pumpkin (E.A. Kerr) ...... 0 ...... 121 Muskmelon @.A. Rieger) ...... P Watermelon (W.H. Foott) ...... Q ...... 123 Squash (R.H. Cobbledick) ...... R ...... 124 New Crops and Misc. reports (H.B. Heeney) ...... s ..,.., 125 MEMBERSHIP OF ONTARIO VEGETABLE

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

H. Foot - CDA, Harrow Research Station B. Heeney (Chairman) - CDA, Smithfield Experimental Farm Ingra t ta - OMAF, Soils & Crops Branch, London R . Jarvis - CDA, Harrow Research Station Lough ton - Hort. Research Inst. of Ontario, Vineland K. Muehmer - Ridgetown College of Agric. & Technology L. Nonnecke (Secretary) - Ont. Agricultural College, Univ. of Guelph Pha tak - Hort. Research Inst. of Ontario, Simcoe Y. Spencer - CDA, Research Institute, London B. Stevenson - CDA, Vineland Research Station Valk - OMAF, Muck Research Station ONTARIO REGIONAL POTATO COMMITTEE 1973 RESEARCH SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

R.G. Rowberry

Crop Value (1973) $36,252,000

The Ontario Regional Potato Committee is one of five regional commit- tees, the others being B.C., Prairie, Quebec and Atlantic. Each committee is responsible for policies and priorities within its region and representa- tives meet annually at the national level to establish nations priorities and to recommend the licensing of new cultivars.

0. R.P.C. Membership R.G. Rowberry, U of G, (Chairman) Production W. Nap, OMAF, Alliston, (Secretary) Extension and Elite Seed Program E.W. Franklin, U of G, Storage A. Zitnak, U of G, Biochemistry F.L. McEWen, U of G, Entomology G.R. Johnston, CDA, U of G, Breeding and seedling evaluation W.B. Towill, CDA, Thunder Bay, Regional testing J. Metcalf, CDA, smithfield, Regional testing W.V. Nuttall, CDA, Harrow, Regional testing G.H. Collin, OMAF, Simcoe, Regional testing M. Valk, OMAF, Bradford, Regional testing R. H. Brown, OMAF, Ridgetown, Regional testing R. Adair, CDA, Smithfield, Processing quality J. Cockerill, CDA, Toronto, Seed certification B. Fuller, CDA, Ottawa, Seed certification E. Fridell, CDA, Barrie, Seed certification' G. Fenney, CDA", London, Seed certification E.C. Chudleigh, Ontario Food Council

The Chairman, Potato Section, O.F.V.G.A. A Seed grower A Table-stock grower Invited representatives from the potato proaessing companies

Priorities

The 1973 recommendation that a long-term study be initiated in the Alliston area to solve the problems arising from monoculture has been accepted in principle, but it is felt that more grower support is needed. A plan of the facilities needed and the types of investigation to be carried out has been prepared and is being presented to the growers' organization and the processing companies for their support.

A continuing high-priority need is the provision of virus-free Elite seed to the Ontario seed potato industry. Following the failure to build the necessary facilities in Ontario it is now proposed to-contract with other provinces to supply Ontario Elite seed growers with Elite I seed. l reeding and testing continues to be a very important part of the program. An important new development is the production of chips and French fries from "instant" mashed potatoes. If this expands to be a large part of the processing industry, as well it might, the specifications of the potatoes required could be very different. The matter is being investigated.

Due to the poor quality of Ontario-grown seed the Zonal Trial of new cultivars on growers' farms has been in abeyance for the past two years. As there is no improvement in sight it is prop~sedto purchase seed in the Mari- times to continue this important trial.

Plant population studies are continuing but there are indications that we may have been going the wrong way in working with higher populations. Some cultivars, because of their morphological plasticity, may yield just as well and have tubers of a more desirable size at much wider in-row spacings than we have hitherto considered as optimum. Work should continue in this matter with new and present cultivars. -. . --- BREEDING and evaluating potato seedlings and varieties for-Ontario. Johnston, G.R. In 1974, on the recommendation of the Ontario Regional Potato Committee (ORPC) and supported by the National Potato Breeding Committee, the Michigan-bred potato variety Onaway was granted a license. Onaway is very early sizing, scab-resistant, tough-skinned,drought resis- tant and consistently outyields the standard Irish Cobbler at early harvest. Also in 1974, on the recommendation of the ORPC and the Atlantic Regional Potato Committee and supported by the National Committee, Freder- icton-bred F58010 was granted a license under the variety name Belleisle. Belleisle is maincrop in maturity, equal in yield to the standard Kennebec, resistant to late blight and storage rot, resistant to tuber damage due to handling and has rated excellent in boiling, baking and french fry quality tests. The decision to release Belleisle was greatly influenced by the very favourable reaction by consumers following the distribution of a quantity of 10-lb. sample packs in the Toronto and Montreal areas. In 1975, Fredericton-bred F61025 will be recommended for release by the ORPC. F61025 is medium-early i.n maturity, almost equal in yield to main- crop standard varieties, resistant to Verticillium wilt and leafroll virus, and has had consistently excellent tablestock and good chipping quality. Promising seedling clones being multiplied for further extensive testing are: G6457-5R - red-skinned, Verticillium wilt-resistant, maincrop maturity; G6666-4y - yellow-fleshed, early maturity, high yield (for an early); and ND6634-2R (North Dakota introduction) - high yield (for an early), very attractive, red-skinned tubers. (Agriculture Canada at the Horticultural Science Department, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

REGIONAL potato trials 1974. Metcalf, J.G. Twelve varieties and advanced were grown and assessed. Average yields were 123 cwt/acre. The better performing lines this year were: ~6457-5~- 180 cwt per acre, good appearing red variety with shallow eyes. G6549-7 - 152 cwt per acre, vigorous plant habit, very good tuber appearance. 1 Alamo - The earliest line in trial, 112 cwt per acre, round tubers. Kennebec - The standard in trial gave 137 cwt per acre, appearance was only fair with some healed growth cracks.

(Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario). -.. Late- ---- Potato -. Cultivar - - Evaluation.------Valk, I;. , Knibbe, Lh., Eleven cultivars were grow. on a deep peat soil. Plant spacing was I irches, except Netted Gel;! (12 inches). Row spacing 34 inches. Plantin,; date: P'ay 29. Irrigation was applied two times during dry periods. A severe ground frost occurred in Zeptember and again in early October. This caused considerable damaze in particular to Abnaki, Kennebec and Wauseon, which fomed tubers close to the soil surface. The highest scoring white cultivars were: Korchip and Abnaki. 'ihe best red cultivar was: Chieftain. The best russet cultivar was Korgold Russet. Ketted Gem produced only 125 bushels per acre. A sam~leol :fields follows: ~ushels/Acre: Iaorchip 693, A.bnaki 511, h'orgold Russet 446, Chieftain 4.46, York 439, i!auseor, 428, Kennebec 4G7. Pluck Research Station, Holland 1, arsh, R.R. ,'1, Kettleby, Ontario.

POTATOES, Ontario regional trial. Nuttall, V. W. Twelve varieties were evaluated with Kennebec as the standard for comparison. Harvested on September 25, yields of No. 1 tubers, 2-114" and over, ranged from 539 cwt/A for 66549-7 and Belleisle to 279 cwt for Netted Gem, 120 cwt less than Alamo, the lowest of 11 cvs, all of which significantly outyielded N. Gem. Others iving excel lent to good yields were G6457-5R(517), 66880-1 (481 ) , F61025 9 474), Abnaki (469), 6648-2(454) and G6666-4Y (449 cwt/A) . Kennebec, A1 amo, F61025 and the five Guelph seedlings all exceeded 75 per cent grade for the 2-1/4" to 3-1/2" size; only Abnaki and BR6446-2 produced in excess of 25 per cent large tubers (over 3-112"). Seven varieties had S.G. ratios exceeding 1.07Owith G6549-7 outstanding and significantly higher than 11 varieties at 1.092. Belleisle, F61025, 66457-5R, 66880-1, Alarno and G6666-4Y scored best for overall appearance. 66666-4Y was tested by 50 reliable panelists (from 16 families) for "objection" to its yellow flesh when boiled and mashed. (Kennebec was the standard for comparison). Thirty-seven did not object. Of the 13 that objected mildly to vigorously to the yellow flesh in 66666-4Y, several preferred its overall texture and flavor, a few thought it would be acceptable when baked, and some of the 50 panelists said it made an attractive French Fry. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario NOR 1GO)

POTATOES, early sizing trial. Nuttall, V. W. Planted April 23, eight varieties were evaluated, with harvests at 10-day intervals, beginning July 12. Top in cwt/A of No. 1 tubers ("1-718 and over") were Superior - 236, Onaway - 204, ND6634-2R - 193, I. Cobbler - 192 and Norland - 190 none significantly different. At the second harvest, the same five yielded best but ranked differently with I. Cobbler top at 307, and or land lowest at 260 cwt. On July 31, F61025, a "promising" distinctive pink-eyed seedling yielded best at 472 cwt, followed by Superior, Onaway, Irish Cobbler, 66457-5R and Norland (325 cwt), none significantly different.

The most tolerant of skinning and bruising at the first harvest were Superior and 66547-9. The 1atter, not highly productive, was outstanding in specific gravity for an "early sizer", averaging 1.078 for the three harvests compared with an overall average of 1.061 for the seven others. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO) ABNAKI spacing trial. Col l in, G.H., and Mucalov, M. Abnaki, a promising table stock cultivar, developed oversized and hollow tubers in some grower trials In 1973. Abnaki was planted on April 25, 1974 at 10, 13 and 16-inch spacing in 36- inch rows in a replicated (4) trial. The 10-inch spacing yielded best with 185 cwt #I and 5 cwt oversized tubers. Only 3% of +he tubers had hollow centers. The 13 and 16-inch spac- ing yielded less #I and more oversized tubers. The percent hollow tubers increased to 4% at 16-inch spacing. A later, May 16, planting of the trial produced a poor stand (40 to 55%) as a result of seedpiece soft rot. This planting yielded only 117 cwt #I's and 32 cwt of oversized tubers with 9% hollow ten- ters. The trials indicated that seed piece decay may be a weak- ness of Abnaki and this results in the oversized and hollow tubers. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario).

Abnaki resjonse plant s~a_caan_dirri~ation. Valk, I.:., Knibbe, E.li. ------Plant spacins in the row was 6, 8 ar.d 10 inches. Spacing between rows, 34 inches. Irrigation was applied with overhead s~rinklersto supplement rainfall to pro- vide a total of 1 inch and 2 inches of water per week. The highest yield (466 bushels/acre) was obtained with the 1 inch of water ard 6 inch spacing. The next best yield (453 bushels/acre) was obtained with 2 inches of water and 8 inch spackg. Irrigation was beneficial in all cases regardless of plant spacirig. Ihck Research Station, Holland Eu-sh, R.R. ~yl, Kettleby, Ontario. - KENNEBEC and Abnaki yield responseto ro$ation and nitro- gen. Collin, G.H. Potato yields in the third year of a per- manent rotaticn block on Fox sandy loam demonstrated the bene- fit of crop ratation. N levels from O to 180 Ib in 30 ~b incre- ments were banded at planting in combination with 120 Ib each of P2O5 and K20. Ammonium nitrate at 30 Ib N was sidedressed in late June. Irrigation was applied 3 times.

As in 1973, 90 Ib N produced best Kennebec yield of 185 cwt where potatoes were grown without rotation. Additional N did not increase yield but reduced specific gravity from 1.077 to 1.071. Kennebec grown in potato-corn rotation plots yielded best (289 cwt) when 150 Ib N was applied. This 150 Ib N appli- cation yielded 1.080 specific gravity tubers. Excessive N rates had no effect on specific gravity on the rotation plots. Yield response of Abnaki to rotat'ion and N rate was simi lar to Kenne- bec response. However, Abnaki had only 57% stand on continuous potato plots and 68% stand on rotation plots. Annual grasses became a problem in this third year of potato and corn plots. The preemergence application of Sencor failed to give good grass control in potato plots. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario). PLANT population studies with Russet Burbank (Netted Gem). D. R. Lynch and R.G. Rowberry. Analysis of the data collected in 1972 and 1973 shows that there is a broad plateau in the marketable yield/stem density response curve for Netted Gem, indicating that the yield remains un- changed over a wide range of stem densities. Although "seed" size was carefully controlled, stem density per plant was almost 65 percent greater in 1973 than in 1972. As effective control of tuber size demands precise control of population density this illustrates the difficulties associated with producing tubers within a restricted size group. There was no interaction between fertilization rate and population density, probably due to increased axillary branching. High stem densities in Russet Bur- bank do not appear to be justified except where processing techniques are used in which the total yield is used in reconstimed products. (Depart- ment of Horticultural Science, O.A.C., University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

PLANT population studies with Norchip. R.G. Rowberry. 1. Previous attempts to increase the total and marketable yields of Norchip in Ontario by means of increased fertilizer rates, seed size, irrigation and in-row spacing have not been successful. In 36 inch rows the previous maximum in-row spacing used was 18 inches. In 1974 spacings of 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 inches were used in an attempt to find the point where the yield would start to decline. There were no differences in total or Ont. No. 1 yields at any spacing; the only difference was that the average size of tuber increased from 4.9 oz (137 gm) at 16" spacing to 6.1 oz (170 gm) at 30 inches.

2. A different approach was to use narrower rows - with banded fertilizer - and various in-row spacings. Potatoes were planted 50, 60 and 75 cm apart in 75 cm rows and 50 and 60 cm apart in 60 rows. In this experiment total and Ont. No. 1 yields both declined as rectangularily increased to the square position. Yields cannot be directly compared with the previous experiment as they were in different soil types. (Department of Horticul- tural Science, O.A.C., University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

POTATO hilling practices. Rowberry, R.G. The experiment reported in 1973 was repeated with the same cv. Kennebec and Netted Gem. They were machine-planted and the planter hill either left in place (PL) or levelled (PF). After emergence the plants were either covered with a final hill and sprayed with Sencor pre-emergence (PI or left until tuber-set, hilled and sprayed with Sencor post-emergence (TS).

As in previous years there were no differences in total or market- able yields, but unlike other years, there were no differences in specific gravity among treatments in either cultivar. (University of Guelph, Guelph, 0ntario N1G 2W1) NITROGEN loss to ground water from irrigated Netted Gem potatoes. Col l in, G.H. OfSu l l ivan, J. The successful pro- duction of Netted Gem potatoes in sandy loams reauires heavv N app l ication and adequate soi l moi,sture; mainta ined by irrigation. These requirements could lead to NO3 contamination of ground water. Netted Gem potatoes were planted in an enclosed soil volumne (6' x 6' x 3.5') and supplied with 120 Ibs/A of P205, K20 and N at planting. Two N sidedressings of 30 Ibs N/A each and I" of water, either from rainfal l or irrigation, was suppl ied every 5 days. The amount of water draining each day from May 15 to August 31 and the NO3 content of this water was measured. During this period 21 .38" of water was suppl ied, 13.38" from irrigation and 8" from rainfal I. Only 0.44" or 2. 1% of the water supplied was lost to run-off. The rate of loss was fairly uniform throughout the entire period. The average NO3 content of the drainage water was 7.6 ppm. This content varied from a minimum of 3.5 ppm prior to sidedressing in early June to a max- imum of 13.3 ppm after the second sidedressing in early July. The total amount of N, in Ibs/acre, lost to drainage water dur- ing this period was 0.17 Ibs. This is only 0.1% of the total amount (180 Ibs N/A) supplied. This compares with a loss of 0.77 Ibs of N or 0.43% of the total (180 Ibs N/A) applied in 1973. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

NETTED GEM response to irrigation. Collin, G. H. and Mucalov, M. Yield response of Netted Gem was measured in a rolling field providing soil drainage from poorly (Berrien sandy loam) to we1 l drained (Fox sandy loam) types. Plots were 10 rows wide and 20 ft long. Main blocks were replicated 3 times on each soil. Adequate guards were provided to separate irrigation treatments. Irrigation supplemental rainfall to provide a total of 1.25 acre inches each 7 days. Fertilizer was applied as 150 Ib N, 120 P205, 120 K20 banded at planting plus 60 Ib N sidedressed. Gems were spaced 12" within the row and 36" befween rows.

Soil drainage No.1 Yield cwt/A Specific gravity Irrig'd Notlrrig'd Irrig'd Not Irrig'd

Poor Fair Good

Marketable yield increase from irrigation ranged from 82 cwt on well drained to 80 cwt on imperfectly drained sandy' loams. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario). YIELD responses of potato in Bradford muck soil infested with northern root-knot nematode. Potter, JeweIOlthof 4-q Th. H.A. Potatoes cv Chieftain were grown to market size in clay-tile microplots filled with Bradford muck soil infested with northern root-knot nematode. Nematode- free soil for check plots was prepared by air-drying. Losses in weight of marketable potato tubers at preplant nematode densities of 200, 4000 and 11000 larvae/liter of soil were 28%, 20%, and 14% respectively. At a preplant density of 28000 larvae/liter, weight of market- size tubers was increased 6% relative to the check, and number of market-sized tubers was incaeased 25%. These increases were attributed to enhanced stolon formation by the heavily-attacked plants; a comparable observation was made previously with Sebago potatoes in mineral soil heavily infested with northern root-knot nematode. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station, Ontario. )

CONTROL of potato insects in Ontario. McEwen, F.L., Ritcey, Gwen, McGraw, Rick. The insecticides azinphosmethyl, carbofuran and carbaryl were tested along with 9 newer or experimental insect- icides in field tests at the Cambridge Research Station. Applica- tions were made 5 times at weekly intervals beginning July 23. Counts for insects other than aphids were made using a sweep net. Aphid counts were made using 5 haulms as the unit of inspection. Monitor provided outstanding control of the potato leafhopper, the potato flea beetle, tarnished plant bugs and aphids. Carbo- furan provided excellent control of tarnished plant bug, potato leafhopper and flea beetles but did not provide satisfactory control of aphids. Azinphosmethyl, when combined with Bay Hox 1901 provided excellent control of all insects, but Bay Hox 1901 by itself did not provide adequate control of potato leafhopper or potato flea beetle. Bay NTN 8629 provided good control of the tarnished plant bug and aphids but was not as effective as some other materials on flea beetles and leafhoppers. AC 99876 provided satisfactory control of insects other than aphids. Vydate provided generally good control, was a bit weak on flea beetles. FMC 33297 provided excellent control of insects other than aphids. Pyrellin did not provide satisfacto*~ control of any of the insects in the test. A combination of Pirimor plus Sevin provided excellent control of all insects. Colorado potato beetles were not present in these test plots. (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph). --SPI

The respiration rate of tubers treated with corn oil and wax was markedly depressed. At approximately 1 month after treatment these samples were breaking down and had to be discarded. The corn oil treatment resulted in zcro sprouting and the wax treatment provided sane inhibition of sprout- ing. In both instances tubers did not turn green when placed under fluores- cent llght. Over a 3 month storage period the tubers treated with hot water, hot air and steam behaved like control samples in respect to resplra- tion rate, sprouting (considerable), weight loss and all would turn green under fluorescent light. In summary, none of the treatments was of practical value for inhibiting sprouting.

FORECAST1 M; Potato Late Bl ight for More Eff icient Fungicide Control Programs. Maltland, A. E. Late bllqht forecasting based on a relative humidity/tem~erature index system was successfullv done at two locatlons'in ontarlo in 1974. 'AS a result of this ' program, reductions In the number of fungicide (Dlthane M45 at 3 Ibs. per acre) applications for late blight control on the Cv Netted Gem was made possible. Although late blight incidence was low, (I - 1. 5$) comparison of plots on a no-fungicide program, a f ixed interval (7 - 10 days) spray program, and those sprayed accordinq to an infection severity index showed differences in late bl ight control. Plots sprayed according to the infect ion severity Index received a total of 5 fungicide sprays, 2 less than those on a fixed interval spray program. There was no significant difference in blight control between the two programs. The f ixed i nterva l sprayed p lots, however, with an average f r.om 3 repiications of 0.8 percent bi iqht, had 0.2 percent more biight than the "indexedt1 plots. Plots that received no fungicide had an average of 1.3 percent biight. The Horsfa l l and Barratt system for rnearuripg plant diseases was used in assessing percent bl ight Infection. (Sol is 8 Crops Oranc h, Hort icul tura l Exper iment Stat ion, Simcoe, Ontario). INSECTICIDE treatments on potatoes. McClanahan, R. J. For the third consecutive year the most important insect on potatoes was the Colorado potato beetle. ~n~rotcctedplants were totally def olinted by midJuly. A comparison was made of sprays appliod as needed, against a singular granular treatment of Turadan at planting time. Furadan and Guthion were sprayed on the plots 3 times at rates varying with the size of the plants and totalling 0.95 lb per acre active, khile the Furadan granules were applied at 3 lb acttve. All tre~tmentsprovided good control of the potato beetle and potato leafhop?er, and limited aphid build up. The granular application gave more continuous control than the sprays, and the yield results reflect this difference. The yield in cwt per acre were: Furadan granules 279, Furadan sprays 253, Guthion sprays 215 and check 59. All the differences are siyificant at the 5$ level. Althouqh the granular treatmnt would be the most expensive in terms of insecticide costs, the extra yield would return this invest- ment many times. The granular treatment is better in terms of labour and machinery needs. (bsearch Station, Agri-ulture Canrda, Harrow, ~ntario).

HERBICIDE screening trial on potatoes. Waywell, C .G. Kennebec potatoes were planted 21 May 1974 at the Cambridge Research Station in a soil classed as a Fox sandy loam. A simple randomized block design was used with 4 replications. Plots were 25 feet long with 4 rows 36 inches apart. All rows were hilled immediately before the pre- emergence treatments were applied on 3 June 1974. Post-emergence treat- ments were applied on 20 June 1974. All treatments were applied to all four rows of each plot with a 4-nozzle C02 powered sprayer fitted with HSS8004 orifice tips. A 30 psi pressure regulator was used and approxi- mately 26 gpa of mixture was applied. The weed population in the area included red root pigweed, lamb's quarters, wild buckwheat, white pig- weed, old witchgrass, and foxtail. Plots were examined on 3 July and on 31 July and weed control and crop injury assessed on a O=none; 10= complete control or crop kill. Weed control assessed on 3 July is ehown in brackets after each treatment rate. Treatments included: check (0), metribuzin post at 0.8 (10) , metribuzin post at 0.8 + surfactant (super Spred) (10), metribuzin at 0.75 + ala- &lor at 2 (10), chloramben at 1.5 + linuron at 1.5 (10), methazole at 1.5 + alachlor at 1.5 (9.71, chlorbromuron at 1 + H22234 at 2.5 (9.61, GS13529 + GS14260 at 3 (9.5) , oxadiazon at 4 (9.5) , chlorbromuron at 1 + alachlor at 2 (9.4) , methazole at 3 (9.2) , methazole at 1 + alachlor at 2 (9.1) , butralin at 1.5 + linuron at 1.5 (9.1) , metobromuron at 2 (9), LS69-1299 at 2 (8.9) , FMC25213 at 1.5 + metribuzin at 0.37 (8.7) , rnethazole at 2 (8.6), chloramben at 2 (7.75), FMC25213 at 3 (7.51, $ FMC25213 at 2 (7.5), BAS3921-H at 1 post plant incorporated + bentazon at 1 post (7.25) , chloramben at 3 (7), butralin at 2 (7), and bentazon post at 1 lb/Aai (5). The most injurious herbicide was oxadiazon (5.5) . The only other injury recorded was with metribuzin + surfactant (1) with metribuzin alone (0.6) . Top growth was normal in the last two treatments at the time of the second assessment (31 July) and was 2.5 on the oxa- diazon treated plots. Yields are not yet available. (Department of Horticultural Science, O.A.C., university of Guelph, Guelph , Ontario). REPORT on herbicide/variety interaction in a potato trial. Waywell, C.G. and R.G. Rowberry. The trial reported on page 109 of the 1973 Research Report was repeated in 1974. Except for re- randomization of the varieties within blocks and treatments within varieties no changes were made. The trial was planted 14 and 16 May, 1974. All pre-emergence treatments were applied after hilling on 30 May while post-emergence treatments were applied 21 June. Injury was assessed on the 0 = none; 10 = complete kill basis on July 2 and 30. Abnaki, Sebago, Cobbler, and Chieftain were uninjured. Superior, Netted Gem, Norchip, and Kennebec exhibited slight foliar injury symptoms on the first date of assessment where metribuzin had been applied as a post-emergence treatment but the symptoms had dis- appeared by the time of the second assessment. Warba was uninjured on the checks and linuron pre-emergence treatment. Injury on the other treatments ranged from 1 on the post-emergence treatment with metribuzin at 1 lb/Aai to 2.7 on the plots which had both pre and post-emergence treatments of metribuzin at 0.75 lb/Aai. By the time of the second assessment injury was reduced to 1 or a trace on all treatments. F58010 was again the most sensitive variety. All treatments which included metribuzin were assessed at 4.7 to 6.5 on the first date. By the time of the second the range was 5 to 8.75 with injury symptoms more severe on all except the metribuzin pre-emergence treatment at 1 lb/Aai. (Department of Horticultural Science, O.A.C., University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

I ' Preplant incorporated herbicides for potatoes I. Pitblado, R.E., Brown, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.288, Res. Rept. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. Preemergence and postemergence herbicides for weed control in potatoes -11. Pitblado, R.E., Brom, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.288-289, Res. Rept:Can. weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. Selected preemergence herbicides for weed control in potatoes 111. Pitblado, R.E., Brown, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.290, Res. Rept. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. Screening herbicides for weed control in potatoes IV. Pitblado, R.E., Brown, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.290-291, Res. Rept. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. R - 13 ONTARIO TOMATO COMMITTEE 1974 RESEARCH SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Objective - provide independent information on cultivars,cultu~aJ,systems and pesticides for processing tomatoes! Crop Value - processing tomatoes (1973) fresh market tomatoes (1973) TOTAL

Cormittee Membership I. Nonnecke (Chairman Tomecek - Extension R. Brown - Secretary B. Heeney - A.C. Smithfield R. Allen - Can. Canners (whole pack) E. Bolton - A.C. Harrow J. Krushkelneski - H.J. Heinz (strained) J. Muehmer - R. C.A. T . Ridge town H. Van der Pol - Grower E. Kerr - Simcoe H.E.S. M. Kellar - Grower S. Phatah - Simcoe H.E.S. A. Fisher - Agric. Economics

Research Orsanization 1. Breeding - E. Kerr (Coordinator) (a) Cultivar testing - J. Metcalf (Coordinator) 2. Crop Protection - R. Brown 3. Management - S. Phatah (Coordinator) (a) Mulching - bed shaping - nutrition - I. Nonnecke (b) Direct seeding - plant density - S. Phatah (c) Growth regulators - B. Heeney (d) Systems demonstration - J. Muehmer (e) Economics - A. Fisher (f) Industry - R. Allen (g) Growers - H. Van der Pol

RESEARCH PRIORITIES; FIRST PRIORITY - Continue breeding of cultivars adapted to once over machine harvest in Ontario and evaluate promising cultivars in once over harvest trials. Recommendations 1. Based on the actual mechanical harvesting of cultivar plots carried out in 1974 that this practise be continued in 1975 with at least six principal entries from 1974 set out in one-half acre plots on a grower site. Furthermore that the advanced lines for inclusion in 1975 be likewise grown on a grower site (H. Van der Pol farm) where a mechanical harvester is available for continued direct mechanical harvesting assessment. This project to be directed and carried out by the research staff of the Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology under authority of W.W. Snow, principal. 2. That the fine co-operation initiated in 1973 - strengthened in 1974, between processors, growers, and researcher be sustained and encouraged in 1975. In this regard the two system. approaches carried out on the M. Kellar and H. Van der Pol farms be continued and encouraged. 3. That the effective screening of processing cultivars under the co-ordination of J, Metcalf (C.A. Smithfield) be maintained at Smithfield, Simcoe, Ridgetown and Harrow, and further that the data so accumulated be made available to processors and growers alike. SECOND PRIORITY - Evaluate total production systems for the eventual usefulness on once over machine harvesting: seed bed preparation, seed treatment, direct seeding, high density seeding, local transplants versus imports, growth regulators nutrition, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and grading. Recommendations - That the attention of research managers be drawn to the positive' results that are likely to accrue from the use of a complete systems approach to the solving of production problems with mechanically harvesting of tomatoes, and that they allow their staff to place a high priority on this approach particularly where the research institutions are located in Norfolk, Essex and Kent counties. -COST - No additional staff appointments are required. Benefits - It is increasingly apparent to all that the cost of food in particular, will increase and that the grower of the primary product is now fully recognized as deserving of a fair and just price for his products. It therefore, would be obvious that the tomato industry in Ontario should become as advanced and efficient as modern technology will allow. It is only through the concerted efforts of all those involved e.g. growers, industry, extension, researchers, that the ultimate realization of these hopes can be achieved. Ontario must develop production systems uniquely suited to the conditions of this province. It is the work of this committee to maximize the utilization of technology to the furtherance of the tomato industry. The future of this industry is dependent upon efficiency, stability and quality at all levels. Resolutions 1. Resolved that screening of insecticides for Colorado Potato Beetle control is required for the specific purpose of registration of a material that will effectively deal with this pest. Moved by J, Krushalniski and seconded by J. Muehmer - carried. 2. Resolved that bacterial canker is a serious problem in the tomato industry and requires study to define its life cycle, control, and or prevention. Moved by J. Krushalniski and seconded by R. Allen - carried.

Review of 1974 work (a) Mechanical Harvesting Trials 1. E. Kerr and J. Krushalniski and Bob. Allen expressed that actually harvesting varieties shed much light on the harvestability and other criteria. 2. Question regarding the feasability of a test similar to or larger than the 1974 trials at H. Van der Pol's was raised. Opinion was that this is feasible and expansion can occur if necessary. 3. Small plot (100 ft. row) data was discussed and the varieties were divided into R for retain, D. for disgard and CH for check for future research keeping in mind that different processors have different requirements for their end product or different processors are able to tolerate different characteristics of a variety (e.g. blotchyness, amount of core, shatter, etc). Also the ability to harvest as assessed by picking crew. It was felt that information from several sites should be critically analyzed. Company representatives must look at results as sandy soils. Maybe we should test varieties on clay and sandy soils. 4. If results (J. Metcalf computer sheet) go further than committee, then a code should be included.

Membership - reviewed membership and revised the membership to include H. Van der Pol as a grower representative (b) Plant Protection Committee R. Brown reported on the deliberations of the Canada Weed Committee and the Ontario Herbicide Committee. Metribuzen (Sencor) is recommended for 1975 as a postemergence material in transplanted tomatoes for weed control. There is room for more work in direct seeded tomatoes as far as weed control is concerned. - More work is required in testing fungicides and insecticides. A method of controlling Colorado potato beetle is necessary. Thiodan and Guthion are no B - 15 longer useful. It is also necessary to do more work in testing fungicides. (c) Management - B. Heeney Ethrel - B. Heeney feels that they have found out how to use it and will terminate their work. Questions arose regarding multiple application at reduced rates and multiple or single use with fungicides and insecticides (compatability) Also pressures of spraying and effect of additives on the activity of ethephane was discussed. (d) Economics - A. Fisher A. Fisher was on a committee to look at the cost/benefit aspect of 12 vegetable and fruit crops. (information confidential) Question raised regarding a study on the economics of mechanical harvesting tomatoes (e) Industry Research - B. Allen Industry research is geared to a company requirement and not too much will be - - released for public release. Mechanical harvesting is accepted more by some growers than by the processor himself. Labour availability will influence the way this is going as well as the availability of varieties for the kind of pack that the company is putting up. (f) Grower Reaction H. Van der Pol looks at the meeting and the discussions as one which provides information for the whole industry. ONTARIO TOMATO COMMITTEE 1974

RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

TOMATO breeding program 1974. Metcalf, J.G. All selections made during the past 8 years have contained high crimson colour. All selections mentioned below contain this colour.

Verticillium wilt resistance has been used in all crosses made during the past two years as well as many since 1968. An extensive selection program for this character has resulted in most of the selections made this year having this resistance.

ST-19 a mid-season line containing this character combined with high crimson and good fruit quality was extensively tested this year with selected growers. It was favourably received. It may be named and released this winter.

ST-23 an early high crimson was tested with selected growers this year. Preliminary reports indicate it was well received. It is as early as New Yorker with good size, holding ability and yield.

S72F-1 has earliness, verticillium resistance, jointlessness and excellent quality as well as high total yield.

S70AAlA is jointless and very early.

These lines will be given ST numbers and placed in the co-ordinated trials.

ST-21 has verticillium resistance and jointless. It was rated highly as an early in the co-ordinated trials.

Seventy (70) lines selected from the ORS breeding program were tested this year. A number of these were incorporated into the breeding program with many to be retried next year.

A part of the tomato breeding program is being used for the development of varieties suitable for once over mechanical harvest. Several selections have been made which combine high crimson and jointless with other attributes necessary for this type of harvest. The problem with the undesirable multiflower character being closely linked to jointlessness has now been overcome.

Crosses were made this summer with machine harvest types from Maryland, Purdue, Ottawa and Simcoe.

As the problem of bacterial canker increases in this area further emphasis is being placed on it in the breeding program. Methods of selection have been refined and extensive work is being carried out on it in the greenhouse. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Fam, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

GENETIC studies of verticillium resistance in tomato. Kerr, E.A. and L.V. Busch. Other researchers suggested that resistance to Verticillium albo- atrum was located on chromosome 4 about 32.5 crossover units from entire leaf. We produced, inoculated and scored, (Vex ful-e-di) x -ful-e---di backcross population (Ve- = verticillium resistance, ful= fulgens, e = entire leaf, di = divergens). Fulgens, entire leaf and divergens segregated in close agreement with the accepted distances on the current linkage map, namely -ful-40 --e- 23 --di. However, Ve gave independent segregation with all three genes. Obviously, is not near 2 and consequently this seedling marker cannot be used to select for probable verticillium resistance. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe and Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph).

CROP tolerance inheritance of tomato qenotypes to metribuzin phytotoxins in the breeding of processing tomatoes. Machado, V. and 1.L.Nonnecke. In today's food production system more and more chemical materials are used for various purposes including highly selective weed control. These materials are required to refine the control of weeds in order to permit stronger and more effective plant stands to evolve. This research has, as a main objective, the study of why metribuzin, an effective herbicide in the control of weeds in tomatoes, acts as a phytotoxin under certain conditions during the juvenile stages of tomato plants in southern Ontario. It has been observed that the inter-action of overcast or hazy skies coupled with high temperature and humidity will have an adverse affect on tomato transplant fields sprayed with metribuzin. It has been further observed that there may be a genetic variability involved as to the degree of susceptability of cultivars to this material under these conditions. These and other pertinent factors are being studied in detail alone and in interaction.

The second objective is the observance of the nature of the inheritance of the resistance to phytotoxin re-action in an effort to transmit this resistance to current field processing tomato cultivars.

Untilthese cultivars are fully worked out and interpreted the. effective use of metribuzin cannot be attained. (Department of Horticultural Science, University of Guelph, Guelph).

4 TOMATO seed production for "Gene Resources of Canada". Kerr, E.A. Cultivars, near-cultivars and breeding lines with specific desirable characteristics can be lost if not being used in current breeding programs. Frequently these

* cultivars and breeding lines contain genes that can be very valuable in the future, e.g. biochemical components, morphological characteristics and resistance to insects, diseases and physiologic disorders.

In 1974, seed of approximately 150 cultivars and lines was produced and sent to the Central Office for the Plant Gene Resources of Canada, Ottawa Research Station. These included all of the cultivars introduced by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario; the collection of leaf mold resistant cultivars used in identification of Cladosporium fulvum races; our most advanced Vitamin C breeding lines; lines having special disease or physiologic resistance; and a few obsolete cultivars, e.g. Camdown, that were once important in Ontario. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario).

SYSTEMS evaluation of processing tomato cultivars. Muehmer, J.K., E.A. Kerr, J. Dick, and J. Krushelniski. In consultation with the Tomato Committee of O.V.R.C. and in co-operation with H. J. Heinz Co., Canadian Canners Ltd., and growers, 6 (six) advanced tomato cultivars were selected for 1/2 acre test blocks for each of 3 (three) locations on sandy soils for machine harvest. All transplants were grown by Ray Hope, Leamington and field set at 5' x 1' spacing at all locations by May 27, 1974. Plot A at Mike Keller's, Leamington (H.J.Heinz Co.) suffered from drought during the latter part of the growing season and was struck by frost before harvest; observational . data only are available. Plot B at Robert Cromby's, Wallaceburg (Canadian Canners Ltd.) consisted of the 3 cultivars selected for possible wholepack. They were harvested on September 20, 1974 with many fruits still immature. Under these conditions shattering was greater than experienced elsewhere. Plot C at Hank vander Pol's, Blenheim (H. J. Heinz Co.) was harvested at 3 different times. Despite Ethrel treatment V 7111 was still uneconomical for machine harvest and by-passed. - -- 1974 - Systems Demonstration of Advanced Processips Tomato Cultivars

Yields in tons/acre Lab Results Locat ion (H.J. Heinz Co.) Name Plot A Plot B Plot C Consis- Total Vit. PH pH* * (estimated) tency Solids ' C '

V 719 19.0 24.6 20.3 12.8 5.4 12.6 4.32 4.32 Dorchester 15.0 - - 25.7 12.7 5.1 8.7 4.33 4.35 Veeroma 18.0 - - 18.8 ------4.28 Lafayette 16.0 19.2 24.5* 12.4 5.4 1'7.3 4.20 4.21 Ont731 16.0 31.5 21.5 ------4.30 V 7111 18.0 ------

*harvested after frost; **Smithfield Lab. from Ridgetown samples. (RCAT , Ridgetown)

CO-OPERATIVE field seeded tomato trials at grower's fields. Muehmer, J.K. After shallow spring cultivation and herbicide incorporation (4 lb ai/A Dpid + 1/4 lb ai/A Treflan) field plots were established with a 2 unit Stanhay seeder by May 1, 1974 on (A) Clyde clay (George Denys, Fletcher) - 1 acre, (B) Tuscola fine sandy loam (Walter Brown, Leamington) - 2 acres, in co-operation with Canadian Canners Ltd., and H. J. Heinz Co. Ltd. respectively; simultaneously testing the effects of starter fertilizer and/or anticrustants on seedling emergence when applied during seeding of Springset, Fireball and C-28. Location (A) experienced a heavy downpour one week after seeding which floated-off all anticrustant and resulted in in sufficient plant stand. The plot was discarded and overplanted with transplants. The Leamington plot (B) showed excellent emergence with no effects noted from the additional treatments. Weed control was very satisfactory. The plants were at the 2nd TL stage about June 5 when the excellent plant stand was reduced to 50% of normal field stand by combined attack of potato beetle, cutworm and leaf hopper. Despite this severely reduced stand the plot yielded about 16 ton/A of high quality fruit delivered to the plant. (RCAT, Ridgetown).

CO-OPERATIVE tomato trials, Simcoe, 1974. Kerr, E. A. These trials were co-ordinated by J. Metcalf, Smithfield Experimental Farm. Only the results at Simcoe are considered here.

There were 10 cultivars in Advanced trials and 15 in Observation trials of both handpick and machine harvest types. All trials were harvested. Dry weather affected late cultivars more than the early ones. Handpick types that were in the top half in each of the categories, raw quality, early yield and total yield were Veemore, ST-21 and Veebrite. Veebrite, Veemore and Moira were the most productive in the Advanced trials and Springset, ST-24, C-36 and Ottawa 91 in the Observation trials.

Of the machine harvest types only V719 was in the top half for raw quality, earliness, marketable yield and % marketable. When only raw quality and yield were considered, H1706 and Ont 747 were the top cultivars. V719, H6919 and Veeroma had the top yields in the Advanced trials and H1706, C35, Ont 7418 and Ont 747 in the Observation trials. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

FIELD tomato machine-harvest cultivar trials. Kerr, E. A. Seventy cultivars and advanced breeding lines were grown for preliminary yield trials. Many of these were eliminated before harvest. Of those remaining, Ont 742, Ont 743, Ont 744, Ont 745, Ont 746, Ont 747, Ont 7412, Cal-j, Lafayette, V719, V7111, W33-4, X14-1, X14-2 and X43-1 appeared the most promising. Ont 742 to Ont 746 are early, jointless, crimson, large fruited, pear shaped, sister lines. Eighty-six cultivars, too small for hand picking were in observation trials. Of these Ott. 109, Ott. 127, Ott. 132 and P.U.73-36 were rated highest. Selections from the F5 breeding lines YllABB and Y38CBA show sufficient promise of off-station trials. Y38CBA had exceptionally good flavour and may be suitable for lye-peeled whole pack. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario).

FIELD tomato hand-pick cultivar trials. Kerr, E.A. In 1974, in addition to the trials co-ordinated by Jack Metcalf, 35 cultivars and advanced breeding lines were in small replicated yield trials. From these Ont 7419, W16-1, W25-1 and X15-1 appeared to have the most promise. Eight-eight cultivars with size large enough for hand picking were in observation trials. None showed much promise for processing but V716, a large pear, MacPink, a pink type, Ott.116 and S7021A merit further test for fresh market. Selections from the F5 breeding lines &8ABA, Y8ABB and &26AAD show sufficient promise for off-station trials. Several selections from F4 lines look very promising. One of these from Z29AD will be available for off-station trials in 1975. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

EVALUATION of advanced tomato cvs. for destructive harvest. Muehmer, J.K. and E.A. Kerr. In co-operation with Hank vander Pol, a H. J. Heinz Co. grower, 30 advanced processing tomato cultivars were field-set on May 27, 1974 in Haldimand/ Beverly loam from plants grown in R.C.A.T. greenhouses (5' x 1' spacing). Three rows of 100' test plots for each of the entries with 10' breaks were centrally located in a 100 acre tomato field. Common cultural practices for machine harvested tomatoes in S.W. Ontario were followed.

The plots were in optimum condition at the beginning of the harvest season. The more promising tomato lines only are reported here:

Performance of Advanced Tomato Lines in Destructive Harvest Fruit Evaluation (Percentages Cultivar Yield Red Green Rots Free of Un- Fruit Comments T/A Stems broken size Harvested September 12, 1974 H-1706 25.4 91 3 6 56 8 3 1.3 Stems ! shatters Ont-742 31.0 94 4 2 96 88 2.2 g. Ext. colour Ont-745 21.4 98 0 2 94 85 2.3 susc. canker Cal-J 15.1 88 4 8 99 95 1.9 clean, v. susc. canker Harvested September 19, 1974 Ont-747 22.9 82 9 9 68 62 2.6 j2, bland flav. H- 6919 15.4 55 38 7 98 77 1.5 too grean! Laf ayette 21.8 8 7 4 9 41 82 2.5 unif-size + colour Veeroma 24.2 84 13 3 31 94 1.5 hi yield, puffy Dorchester 26.0 84 9 7 33 93 2 -0 ext. colour Harvested September 26, 1974 Ont-7310 20.8 86 4 10 69 95 1.6 so£t Chi co 21.4 42 44 14 64 89 1.5 uneven maturity V-7111 25.0 68 28 4 61 96 2.2 late, clean C-37* 19.0 68 22 10 96 92 2.2 poor holding V-726 22.9 84 13 3 48 88 1.6 holds, attract.

*planted 10 days late. Tentatively only a V-74 .... line: Lafayette and Cal-J warrant entry into 1975 large test plots. (RCAT, Ridgetown).

SCREENING and evaluation of commercial and advanced tomato breedina lines for multiple and/or destructive harvest for S.W. Ontario. Muehmer, J.K. Transplants of 200 different tomato cultivars from world wide sources were field set on May 24/25, 1974 on campus grounds. Detailed records were kept from August 9 on to facilitate proper testing of their adaptability to S.W. Ontario conditions. A simulated machine harvest on September 18/19, 1974 gave data on field holding, fruit concentration, maturity and yield potential. Only 38 different entries made the "finals", of these only the top 10 are listed here:

Yield in T/ha Name Source Marketable Unmarketable Remarks

No497 VFN,F Royal Sluis 12.0 1 No498 VFN ,F1 Royal Sluis 11.8 73B680 Dr.Stoner,Beltsville 11.3 Ohio 733 Dr. Berry, Ohio 11.2 core ! V-725 H.E.S., Simcoe 11.0 core! Y llDAA H.E.S., Simcoe 10.4 -5 holds ! H.E.S., Simcoe late, core!

H.E.S., Simcoe 1 Ont-746 H.E.S., Sirncoe 9.3 -7 storage? Y38CBA H.E.S., Simcoe 9.2 1.4 holds!

( RCAT, Ridgetown)

TOMATO processing cultivars. Metcalf, J. G. Co-operative processing tomato trials conducted at Smithfield, Simcoe, Ridgetown and Harrow were co-ordinated at Smithfield for both hand pick and mechanical harvest varieties. Ten varieties of each type were grown in advanced trials and 15 in observation trials.

On the basis of these trials the following changes were made in OMAF Publication 363:

Vreemore added as an early on trial in A,B,C,D, & E. Trimson removed from A & B. Veeroma added on trial in A & B as mid-season. Lafayette was given full recommendation as a mid-season in A & B and trial recommendation as a late in C, D & E. Vision was removed from C, D & E.

In the hand picked trials varieties of interest included: Veebrite - good early (10.8 T/H) and total (66.1 T/H) yield, smooth and crack resistant. ST- 19 - good total (63.2 T/H) yield, high colour with good structure. ST-21 - highest early yield in trial (18.9 T/H), good colour, easily stemmed, jointless. Veemore (formerly V712) - high early (18.7 T/H) yield, crack resistant and firm. Ont. 738 - although low in yield this line had the highest colour and firmness in the trial. In the machine harvest trials varieties of interest were: B - 21 Lafayette - high yield (64.4 T/H) of high quality fruit, firm and crack resistant, smooth. Veeroma - high yield (62.6 T/H) and low % unmarketable (17%),crack resistant. Heinz 69-19 - smooth, crack resistant with high yields. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

EVALUATION of government tomato lines. Wilbur, G. and E. A. Kerr. Wenty-three lines were tested in observation trials. Details of the more promising ones are as follows:

Cultivar Season Colour Size Firmness Yellow Top Shape

C 35 mid fair med good good round C 36 late good med good good round Cal-j mid good med good good round Laf ayette early good med good good round Ont 742 mid good good good good pear Ont 7415 late good med good good round Ont 7417 mid good small good good heart veernore mid good small good good round

Lines which were generally acceptable but had some undesirable characteristics: H1630, H1706, Ont 737, Ont 7413, Ott 109, ST-19, V719, V7111, V726, Veeroma.

Unacceptable lines were Ont 7311, Ott 107, V717, V722. (E.D. Smith & Son, Winona and Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

TESTS of government experimental tomato lines at Mississauga. Moore, J. F. and E. A. Kerr. Thirty-six breeding lines and cultivars were in preliminary tests for yield, fruit size and other characteristics. Some of the details of the evaluation of the more promising lines, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Yield Fruit Hunter Titr. Total Firmness Cultivar T/H to 25/9 size-lb Colour acid solid (Max 100) Remarks

C2 8 C 35 C37 Cal-j j, G vine Moira IB Ont 745 j, E vine Ott 78 Late, E vine Ott 147 Heavy vine PX7210 I B ST- 23 V7110 V7310 G vine Veeroma IB

IB = internal browning; j = jointless; G = good; E = excellent B-22 The following lines were generally acceptable: Dorchester, Lafayette, Ont 738, Ont 747, Ont 7419, Ott 107, Ott 109, Ott 134, Ott 148, Potomac, ST-20, St-25, V717, V725, V726.

Those unacceptable because of quality, season etc.,: Ont 741, Ont 742, Ont 7415, Ont 7416, Ont 7417, Ont 7418, Ott 132, Springset, V7111, V722, Veemore. (Campbell Soup Co. Ltd., Mississauga, and Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

BLACK plastic experiment for tomatoes. Bolton, E.F. The experiment, using black plastic mulch for tomatoes on clay soil was begun in 1970 as an extension of existing studies on black plastic mulch for tomatoes. The test was established to measure soil temperature under mulched and unmulched soil.

Oxygen measurements were conducted in 1970 and 1971 but were not made in '73 or '74 since no periods of flooding occurred during the growing season of either year.

The largest tomato yield of 27.9 tons/ac resulted where the entire row was covered with mulch and this was followed by 26.6 tons where plastic was placed 12 inches from the row and between rows. A yield of 24.6 tons/ac resulted where mulch was placed over the row, 4 tons more than on the unmulched check. The above yields all included transplanted tomatoes.

Black plastic, used on direct seeded tomato plots, also increased yield over the unmulched direct seeding by about 5 ton/ac to 17.3 tons on mulched plots. Average yield, though, after the killing frost was about 8 tons/ac less on direct seeded tomatoes than on transplants.

The results indicate a sizeable benefit for black plastic mulch on yield of processing tomatoes grown from transplants but indicate that even with mulch tomatoes grown from seed are of limited success on clay soil. (Research Station, Harrow, Ontario, NOR 1GO). -3PMY

GROWTH regulators on the processing tomato. Heeney, H. B. Transplant Tomatoes: In general -72-1.44 Kg/ha ethanol applied between 15 and 20th of Aug. increased returns of full ripe fruit by 51% (increases up to 29 tonnes/ha) and decreased green fruit (up to 93% ripe fruit) at a September 9 harvest.

Split applications of -36 + -36 Kg/ha one week apart reduced foliage injury due to ethrel to a level which could be tolerated without loss of ripening effectiveness

Processing evaluation of material from treatments in 1973 indicated that ethrel had no significant effect on wholeness retention, soluble solids or total acidity.

Late applications of Ethrel (1.44 kg/ha) damaged foliage and left fruit more susceptible to early frost injury (Sept. 23) .

Direct Seeded Tomatoes: 1973 results indicate that -72-1.44 kg/ha of ethanol will produce harvests of up to 30.1 tonnes/ha by September 23 even during a poor tomato season.

Varietal Effects: Most of the nineteen varieties recommended in OMAF Publication 363 produced significantly higher yields of ripe fruit with ethrel treatment in 1974. In 1974 the exceptions were Roma VF and Springset. A new formulationof ethrel based on a different carrier was as effective as the previous formulation and no difference was noted in plant injury. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

CULTIVATION for tomatoes on clay soil. Bolton, E. F. 1974 similarly to 1973, was characterized by a very late wet spring which delayed planting of tomatoes until late May. Following planting the season was very dry with slow growth followed by a killing frost on Sept. 19th. Total yield included a single harvest of all tomatoes beyond the green stage, after the frost. This yield and little effect on treatment order but increased yield in all cases by about 2-3 tons/ac.

The highest yield of 20.5 tons/ac occurred where two shallow cultivations were carried out, one at the first blossom and a final cultivation when plants were starting to spread. The lowest yield of 15.0 tons/ac resulted after two deep cultivations at the same stages of growth. These yields compared with 18.3 tons on the uncultivated check where weeds had been controlled by chemicals and by hoe.

This result was similar to previous years on clay soil when shallow cultivation also produced a beneficial effect and deep cultivation reduced yield of tomatoes compared with the check. (Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO).

DEPTH of plowing for tomatoes. Bolton, E. F. Plowing Brookston clay soil at 12 inches in the spring significantly reduced tomato yield to 11.3 tons compared with the 18.4 tons achieved by plowing in the spring at 4 inches. These yields were lower than the yields on fall plowing and in addition there were no significant differences on fall treatments due to depth of plowing although there was a trend favouring the 4-inch depth (21.4 tons) compared with the fall 12-inch depth (20.1 tons/ac). Prior to the killing frost the highest yield obtained was 16.2 tons/ac on fall plowing at 8 inches.

In the past deep plowing (12 inches) has increased tomato yield on clay soil by 1 to 2 tons/ac. (Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO).

INFLUENCE of fertilizer and anticrustants on seedling emergence of tomato cultivars. Muehmer, J.K. Finally, after a cold and wet spring, 5 major processing tomato cultivars were field drilled on May 21, 1974 with a Stanhay unit, simultaneously applying:

a) anticrustant + fertilizer C) fertilizer only b) anticrustant only d) no additions (check)

The fertilizer (10-92-17 in water at the rate of 2.5 lb/A of N) was sprayed directly over the seed previous to closure of drill furrow with soil/anticrustant mixture and passing of packing wheel.

The best rate and percentage of emergence in all 4 reps with all treatments showed Veeroma, H-1706 and Springset followed by Lafayette. C-28 gave an unsatisfactory performance by comparison. There was no significant difference in rate nor percent of emergence between treatments; with only a hint of decreased emergence for the check treatment in all cultivars under study. Due to drought no meaningful yield data could be obkained. (RCAT, Ridgetown).

EFFECT of high density precision seeding of tomatoes on maturity and crop yield. Tiessen, H. The tomato variety Heinz 1706 was direct seeded with a Stanhay precision seeder on May 31, 1974 at 15 spacings. The row spacings varied from 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 48 inches apart (Table 1). Seed spacings in the row were 1.5, 3, or 6 inches apart. The number of rows per bed were 24, 12, 7, 4 and 3. The beds or single rows were spaced 48 inches apart. The actual plant populations arising from B- 24 the seeding rates of 1,195,000 to 21,000 seed per acre varied from 80,000 to 100,000 plants per acre at the high rate to 18,000 to 29,000 plants at the lower seeding rate. In the overall experiment, about 20 percent of the seed sown developed into plants. A foliar spray of 1,000 ppm of ethral was applied on August 30 and September 4 when 15 to 20 percent of the fruit was mature. Harvesting commenced on September 17 and a killing frost prevented the maturation of :some of the later maturing trc.atmc!ntri on Scpiembcr 23. In the overall experimc~ltscthral produccd 9.6 tons of rip fruii pcr acre compared to 5.7 tons for the control plots. The highest yield of ripe fruit was 14.5 tons which came from the ethral treatment at the 1.5 x 1.5 inch spacing (highest seeding rate). The lowest yield of ripe fruit resulted from the non-treated plants with the 6 x 48 inch seed spacing (lowest plant population) with a yield of 1.5 tons per acre. There was less difference in yield between plant population when ripe and green fruit were combined, however, a higher yield resulted when plant populations were above 65,000 plants per acre.

Table 1: Influence of Different Seeding Rates and Ethral Treatment on Yield of H1706 Tomatoes Yield tons/acre Seed Plants Ripe & Green Treat- Row Spacing Rows Seed per acre Ripe Fruit Fruit ment Spacing in row per Sown None None None No. in. in. bed per acre Ethral Ethral Ethral Ethral Ethral Ethral

There was no definite yield pattern concerning spacings in the row or between rows. A premature fall frost limited the observations that were obtainable from this investigation. It is possible that a higher percent germination would produce a higher plant population which could have resulted in more specific information concerning optimum spacing in direct seeding of this variety. Also a longer growing season would have produced a considerably higher yield which could have shown the effect of the more optimum spacing patterns. (Department of Horticultural Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

FUNGICIDE evaluation for tomato disease control. Maitland, A. E. and R. Lapos. The fungicide Bravo 7.2 F and Maneb, the experimental fungicide Bay Dam 18654 and combinations of the three were evaluated for efficacy in controlling tomato diseases 4 under a limited fungicide program. Seedlings of the cultivar Veebrite were planted with a Holland Planter at a spacing of 42 inches between, and 18 inches within the rows. Fertilizer was applied pre-plant at the rate of 500 lbs. of 6-24-24 per acre. One application of Cygon 4E was made on July 11th for insect control. Satisfactory weed control was achieved with two cultivations. Fungicides were applied with a back-mounted R-25 plot sprayer capable of delivering 50 - 60 p.s.i. pressure. The equivalent of 50 gallons per acre was applied. Fungicides were applied on July 10th and 25th and on August 9th. There were three replications of each treatment in a randomized complete block design.

All fruits harvested were assessed for early blight, anthracnose and Botrytis infection. Fruits were harvested on September 9th and 18th, the amount of diseased fruit per treatment was ascertained and expressed as a percentage of the tolzal yield. Results are summarized in table 1.

Table 1: Tomato - Early Blight, Anthracnose and Botrytis Assessment - % of Total Yield H.E.S., Simcoe, Ontario, 1974 1.

% Disease Treatment Early Blight Anthracnose Botrytis

BAY DAM 18654 - 1/2 lb. 13.3 ab BAY DAM 18654 - 3/4 lb. 19.1 a BRAVO 7.2F - 25 fl. oz. 10.8 b DITHANE M45 - 3 lbs. 10.5 b BAY DAM 18654 - 1/2 lb. + BRAVO 7.2F - 25 fl. oz. 13.5 ab BAY DAM 18654 - 3/4 lb. + DITHANE M45 - 3 lbs. 11.2 ab CHECK 18.3 ab rn 1. Values followed by similar letters are not significantly different - Duncan's Multiple Range Test, 5% level.

(Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario).

EVALUATION of tomato breeding lines for whole pack and strained product. Cook, Frances I. and E. A. Kerr. A 2 x 11 qt. sample of No. 1 fruit from each of 97 cultivars and breeding lines produced at Simcoe was processed at Vineland. The fruits for whole pack were lye-peeled and processed without coring. Single samples of the juice and whole pack were evaluated by a panel of 5. Details on the more promising lines follow. In subjective ratings 1 very poor, 5 = very good.

Whole pack Cultivar Overall Appear. Colour Texture Flavour Vitamin C pH

Ott. 91 Ont741 Ont731 Peelette Potomac PX7210 H1706 Ont744 V7111 Ont7310 B-26 Other lines receiving above average overall ratings were: C36, H6919, Lafayette, Moira, Ott.134, Roma VF, Veeroma, Veeset, V717, V729, Ont7311, Ont742, Ont7416 and Ont7418.

Strained Product Cultivar Overall Colour Hunter Consis- Viscos- Sol. Flavour pH % Vit. a/b tency ity (Sec) Sol. Citric C %

Other lines receiving a high subjective rating were: C35, H1706, Ont737, Ont7310, Ont7311, Ont742, Ont743, Ont744, Ont747, Ont7415, Ont7416, Ont7419, Ott.107, Ott.134, Ott.148, PX7210, Potomac, V701, V719, V721. (Horticultural Products Laboratory, Vineland Station and Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

WHOLENESS retention of canned tomatoes. Mohr, W. P. Wholeness retention after canning, measured by expressing drained solids as a percentage by weight of ingoing fresh weight of tomatoes, is particularly good when using some of the new high colour cultivars. Fruit coherence is retained even when the fruit is picked when full ripe and the canned product severely shaken, a combination which reduces the wholeness values of most older cultivars to unacceptable levels. While small fruit size probably contributes to the exceptional wholeness retention of certain cultivars, the improved wholeness properties of several of the larger, new cultivars cannot be explained on the basis of fruit size. Cut fruits of the latter reveal a characteristically generous amount and distribution of pericarp tissue relative to locule tissue. This suggests the involvement of cell wall components such as pectic materials, calcium, cellulase, and callose.

Veebrite, Moira, and Trimson have showed up well in these tests, along with some smaller-sized numbered selections. With these cultivars, even fruit canned when fully ripe and subjected to considerable shaking in the can, cohered sufficiently to easily satisfy the 60% drained solids requirement for Canada Choice grade. In contrast, older cultivars such as Trent broke down severely when shaken. They generally did not meet the drained solids requirement of Standard grade. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

CANNED whole pack quality of Ethrel-treated tomatoes. Mohr, W. P. Results

with Ethrel-treated H-1706 tomatoes grown in 1973 were similar to those reported- last year for Trimson and H-1350 grown in 1972. Wholeness retention in canned whole pack was lowered slightly, as compared with the no-Ethrel Controls. While being prepared for processing, it was observed that fruit from the high level (1.44 kg/ha) Ethrel plots was slightly softer (possibly more mature) than fruit from the other treatments. This showed up in the canned whole pack where wholeness retention was lowered slightly by the high level Ethrel treatment, especially when canned samples were shaken (done to accentuate differences between treatments). Other quality factors including colour, acidity, and sweetness rating by tasting were not significantly affected by the field treatments. The 1973 tests were performed using fruit picked on September 17 and again on September 25, with similar results. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experiment Farm, Box 340, Trenton, ontario). VITAMIN C content of tomatoes. Mohr, W. P. The vitamin C content of commonly-grown cultivars (not 'high vitamin C' types) ranged from 7 to 27 mg/100g in 1973 and from 6 to 22 mg/100g in 1974. Early harvest fruit was lower in ascorbic acid than that taken mid-season or later. Low ascorbic acid content of early pick fruit was even more noticeable in the case of field-seeded plants than in transplants. This could well have been a maturity factor, despite attempts to take all samples at comparable maturities, as judged visually. Smithfield samples (grown in eastern Ontario) have been roughly in the same range of vitamin C content as Ridgetown samples (grown in western Ontario). (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

ASCORBIC acid content of ripe tomato fruit as influenced by plant origin and time of harvest. Reedman, E. J. and J. K. Muehmer. Fruit samples were taken from tomato plants established from seed and from home grown transplants on 2 different dates in 1973 and 4 harvest dates in 1974 respective1.y. The composite samples were quick-frozen immediately and stored till analyzed later by Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Montreal for ascorbic acid determination.

Ascorbic Acid Levels (mg/100g) of Veeroma, H-1706 and C-28 Field Seeded vs. Transplants Treatments Variety Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 5 Sept. 19

Transplants: Veeroma 13.1 14.1 21.1 19.5 H-1706 10.1 11.4 (11.9) 10.1 7.9 (13.5) C- 28 21.6 25.9 (20.3) 16.5 16.8 (15.5) Field Seeded: Veeroma 11.5 15.5 14.8 -16.6 H-1706 7.1 7.9 (7.0) 13.9 12.8 (17.9) C- 2 8 - - 17.5 (8.9) 18.2 23.4 (20.6)

( ) 1973 data

Each of the cultivars under test reached their ascorbic acid peak at different dates in each of the treatments. Fruits from transplants in 1974 peaked one week before those harvested from seeded plots. 1973 data show some similarity to 1974, but the field seeded samples in '73 had more variation and peaked later. The varietal levels of vitamin "C" in both years are comparable. There is a tendency towards higher, but delayed ascorbic acid levels in fruit from most varieties when field seeded. (RCAT, Ridgetown) .

EVALUATION of tomato breeding lines of lye-peeled whole pack. Dick, J. and E. A. Kerr. Most of the 35 lines tested were deficient in one or more characteristics: stem scar, core size, fruit size etc. Several however, appear to be promising breeding material.

Fruit samples from the various lines were measured for various characteristics in this preliminary screening. For each characteristic the range of the values was divided into five steps with the most desirable receiving a rating of 5 and the least desirable a rating of 1. The overall rating was the sum of these individual ratings. Data for those with the highest overall ratings are given in the following table. Individual ratings that were below average are underlined. B-28

No. Fruit Stem Stem Core Shape Total Refrac- Vis- Over- of Size Scar Depr. DepthX DepthX pH acid tive cosity all reps. oz. cm cm Width Width index sec. rating ' cm cm (1 to 45)

Ott 147 V725 V7110 PR71-92 PX7210 Ont 7311 -1.9x.5 V7011 -2.2x.4 V708 1.3~.4 Ott 109 1.0x.4 Veeroma 1.4~.5 H1350 .7x. 7 H1706 1. Ox. 3 Laf ayette .8x. 4

Lines receiving overall ratings of 29 to 26 were: V717, V719, W23-1, Ont 741, V7111, V726, Ont 742, Dorchester, Ont 745, Ont 746, PR71-88 and VF90.

Lines that showed little value (overall ratings of 25 to 22) were: Ott 132, Ott 107, Ont 747, Ott 148, Ont 7418, Ont 7310, Ont 744, 070-06BiB, Ott 78, and Ont 743.

The values given are from harvested fruits and raw product. They do not include yield, holding ability, machinability or processed quality. Some characteristics e.g. measured core size and viscosity, might change considerably and differentially when the fruits are cooked. (Canadian Canners, Dresden, and Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe) .

EFFECT of blotchy ripening and internal browning on quality of strained tomato product. Collin, G.H., Francis Cook, J. O'Sullivan, and R.V. Chudyk. What percentage of fruits with severe blotchy ripening can be tolerated in tomatoes purchased for strain- ed product?

Red-ripe and ripe but severely blotched fruit were collected from a commercial j field of Campbell 28 at three dates in September 1974. These fruit were used to prepare 8 to 10 lb samples containing 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 100% by weight of fruit 4 with severe blotchy ripening. I

Agtron readings of cut red-ripe fruit averaged 41.5 and of severly blotched , fruit 57.6. On the basis of Agkron readings of cut fruit, 70% were No. 2's and 10% were culls in the sample of fruit selected as severely blotched. The severely blotched fruit had patches of green covering more than 40% of the fruit surface. However, the green patches were restricted to the fruit wall. Except for the fruit wall, internal colour of blotched fruit was as good as the red ripe fruit.

For quality evaluation of blended raw fruit and processed product the percentage samples were prepared by; washing the fruit, removing stems, cutting in quarters, removing core, blending in a Waring Blender, screening through a 14 mesh screen to remove seeds and skin and evacuating and warming to eliminate air bubbles in the product and then processing into cans. Each sample was made-up from 8 to 10 lb. of fruit. Colour quality was measured with the Agtron Model E-5 and the Hunter Colour Meter.

Table 1 - Quality of strained product prepared from 0 to 100% Campbell 28 fruits with severe blotch ripening.

Measurement Percentage of fruit with severe blotchy ripening in the sample

Raw prod. - Agtron

Processed-Agtron

- Hunter "a"

" - Sol.Solids

'I pH

" Total Acid

Visual ratings of colour suggested that up to 40% of the fruit in a load could have severe blotchy ripening before the colour of the strained product appeared pale. This was supported by the Agtron and Hunter measurements of colour. These measurements were little different as the percentage by weight of blotchy fruit increased from 10 to 40%. Fruit wall clolur had relatively little influence on product colour when fruit are mature. The colour of the inner flesh of the fruit was more important.

The procedure of blending and screening small samples of tomato fruit for a Agtron evaluation of colour quality presented some problems :

-blending time must be varied depending upon the amount of hard green and yellow tissue in the fruit walls - despite prolonged blending, some hard and blotched wall tissue did not pass through the screens used to remove seed and skin. This resulted in variable colour readings for samples containing 50 arid 100% blotched fruit. -the procedure did not provide an estimate of product yield.

Can internal browninq in tomato fruit be detected in the strained product?

Blotchy or imperfectly ripened tomatoes often have brown vascular strands in the fruit wall. Two questions have been asked about this internal browning;

-can the brown vascular strands be mistaken for mold or insect fragments? -are these brown strands apparent in the strained tomato products?

Severely blotched fruit were cut into quarters and separated into two categories; with internal browning in fruit walls and with no internal browning. Ten pound samples were prepared from these and red fruit using 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35% blotchy fruit with internal browning and a second series ushg 0 to 35% blotchy fruit without internal browning. Preparation and processing was similar to the procedure described in the previous report.

A 1 ml. sample of strained product was taken from the can and spread onto a petri dish. The number of discoloured fragments from the brown vascular tissue were counted and the length measured using a binocular microscope. Each can was sampled three times and the average is recorded in Table 2.

Table 2 - Number of discoloured vascular fragments in one milliliter of strained product from samples containing 0 to 35% fruits with severe blotchy ripening.

STRAINED PRODUCT-COMPOSITION

% blotchy fruit by weight

Discoloured fragments per ml.

With no internal browning 0 0 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.3

With severe internal browning 0 5.3 2 .O 1.2 0.8 3.7

The strands of brown vascular tissue were 0.5 to 3 mm long in the strained product. These strands were readily identified as vascular tissue with a low mag- nification, binocular microscope. They are not easily mistaken for mold or insect fragments. Microscopic photographs have been prepared by Dr. Chudyk of the Horti- cultural Products Laboratory at Vineland Station and are available as a reference for identification. Strands of 0.5 to 1 mm length were not apparent in the product. Strands of 2 to 3 mm length were apparent to the naked eye as pale yellow fibers in the juice. The strands did not retain the dark brown colour in the processed product. These strands were apparent through a microscope in the processed samples of uni- form red fruit but were transparent.

Additional samples were harvested during September for preparing strained products containing 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 100% fruit by weight with severe blotch. At the September 17 harvest 35% of the blotched fruit had internal browning and the September 25 harvest 45%. Brawn vascular fragments were counted in three, 1-ml. juice samples from each can of the processed product.

Table 3 - Number of discoloured vascular fragments in one milliliter of strained products prepared from 0 to 100% fruits with severe blotchy ripening.

Harvest sample % Blotchy fruit by weight

- -

Discoloured fragments per ml.

September 17 0 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3

September 25 1.3 2.3 0.3 0.1 2.4 1.3 1.5 0.5

Ave rage 0.8 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.8 1.5 2 -0 2.3

Brown vascular fragments ranged from 0.5 to 3 mm length. Strands of 2 to 3 mm length were apparent in the juice as pale yellow fibres. It is unlikely that these fibers could be mistaken for insect or mold fragments.

Additional cans of the samples are available for evaluation from Mrs. Francis Cook of the Horticultural Products Laboratory at Vineland Station.

This procedure of sampling, blending and screening small (8 to 10 lb) samples of fruit presented some problems.

-Even after prolonged blending, some hard and blotched wall tissue did not pass through the screens used to remove seed and skin. This in- f luenced the number of brown fibers in the processed product. -Internal browning can be present in red fruit.

Despite these limitations in procedure the results suggest that internal browning need not be a serious defect in tomatoes purchased for strained product. The strands are very small, almost colourless and not easily mistaken for insect or mold fragments in processed, strained product. LABORATORY and field studies on control of the Colorado potato beetle attacking tomatoes in southwestern Ontario. Harris, C. R. , H. J. Svec. Damage from the Colorado potato beetle, particularly to tomatoes, has been on the increase in southwestern Ontario in recent years. In 1973 a single test on a field collected population indicated that tolerance to endosulfan might be developing. During 1974 a preliminary study was initiated in both the laboratory and the field on control of the potato beetle. A few experimental materials submitted to this laboratory for evaluation were screened against field col- lected larvae and adults. Carbofuran , chlorpyrifos , and dieldrin were used as standards for comparison. Carbofuran was the most toxic material tested against both larvae and adults. Chlorfenvinphos and Nia 33297 shaved good toxicity = dieldrin against larvae, while the other insecticides were less effective. Against adults, the toxicity of Nia 33297 = dieldrin, with chlorfenvinphos being less effective and PP 505, RH-218, Bay MEB6046, and Bay NTN 8269 considerably less effective.

A preliminary microplot field study was done to assess the effectiveness of insecticides presently recommended for potato beetle control in Ontario, and to test a few experimental materials. Plots were infested with larvae collected at the Institute Field Station. This population has not been under insecticide pressure and remains susceptible to insecticides. &sults indicated that among the materials recommended for Colorado potato beetle control carbofuran, azin- phosmethyl, and endosulfan were most effective > carbaryl > phosmet. Among experimental insecticides chlorfenvinphos was very effective > tetrachlorvinphos > f on fos. (Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, London, Ontario).

ASSESSMENT of the effectiveness of three insecticides in controlling the darksided cutworm attacking direct-seeded tomatoes. Svec, H.J., Phatak, S., Harris, C.R., Field trials were conducted at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Research Station, Simcoe, to determine the effectiveness of preplanting broad- cast insecticide and i~secticide-herbicidecombinations and postplanting insecti- cide applications in controlling the darksided cutworm attacking direct-seeded tomatoes. Preplanting treatments were incorporated into the upper 2 inches of the soil. Efficacy of the insecticides was assessed using portable microplots infested with 4th instar laboratory-reared larvae. As preplanting applications chlorpyrifos and Stauffer N-2596 at 1 lb. A~/acrealone and in combination with diphenamid at 2 lbs. AI/acre were highly effective. Leptophos at 1 lb. AI/acre alone and in com- bination with diphenamid was less effective. As postplanting treatments, chlor- pyrifos at 1.5 lb. AI/acre provided excellent control, while leptophos at 2 and Stauffer N-2596 at 1.5 lbs. AI/acre were less effective. None of the treatments caused phytotoxicity. (Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, London, and Research Station, OMAF, Simcoe, Ontario).

ETHEPHON-SADH for fruit ripening in field-seeded tomatoes. Phatak, S. C. , Bow, W. J. Vigorized seed of Fireball was seeded with Stanhay into a Caledon sandy loam on May 22. Three hundred pounds of 6-24-24 fertilizer per acre was worked-in before seeding. Weed control program - diphenamid at 4 lb/A preplant incorporated followed by 0.25 lb/A of metribuzin postemergence after one cultiva- tion. Plots were replicated four times. TREATMENTS RATE APPLIED CROP RESPONSE (PP~) (Date) Marketable Yield Wt.Fr T/A %

SADH Aug. 1,8 " -Ethephon II I1 + II E thephon 11 Aug. 15,22 11 Aug. 1,8,15,22 II Auq. 15,22 Aug. 22 Non-sprayed check

Crop was harvested once-over on September 5. All treatments except SADH alone increased per cent red ripe fruit over non-sprayed checks. Treatments giving over 75% marketable fruits were; two applications of SADH + ethephon, four applications of 100 or 200 ppm, two applications of 400 ppm and 800 ppm applied once. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

BIOLOGY and control of nitidulid beetles attacking processing tomatoes. Foot, W.H. The relative attractancy to nitidulid beetles of tomatoes which had been damaged for 1, 2, or 3 days was examined through the release of beetles coloured with fluorescent dyes. An average of 51.7% of the beetles recaptured within a few hours of release went to the 3-day-old tomatoes, 32.5% went to the 2-day-old fruits and only 15.8% went to the 1-day-old fruits. These results emphasize the importance of picking tomatoes as close as possible to the scheduled time for delivery to the factory.

Good control of beetles was obtained in hampers of tomatoes from mid to late August when only a single application of malathion ULV 95% technical was made to empty hampers in either early July or early August. A similar degree of control was obtained regardless of whether the hampers received 2, 4, or 6 ml. of chemical on either spray date. Only moderate control was obtained in September. This was probably due to lower than normal temperatures since malathion is more effective at high temperatures.

An unidentified disease which produces total mortality in beetle cultures in the laboratory has not been observed on beetles in the field. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario) . DETERMINATION of malathion and diazinon residues in fresh tomatoes and canned tomato products. von Stryk, F.G. The insecticides malathion and dia- zinon have been proven to be effective in the control of ~itidulidbeetles in field tomatoes. The chemicals were applied to hampers ordinarily used in the tomato harvest. In order to determine the safety of the insecticides with regard to human consumption residues were determined in freshly harvested tomatoes, which had been in contact with the floor or sides of the hamper and in canned products such as juice and whole pack.

The results are shown in the following table:

Hampers treated on Aug. 9/73 Hampers treated on Sept. 21/73 (Malathion only)

Frozen Fruits Whole Pack Juice Frozen Fruits Whole Pack Juice

Diaz i non - - - 0.30/0.24 n.d.* traces

Malathion 0.95/0.72 : 0.003/0.04 0.07/0.07 7.80/7.97 0.18/0.21 0.59/0.64

*

Table 1. Residues of diazinon and malathion in tomato fruits and canned tomato products in p.p.m.

*n.d. - none detected

STARTING transplants of fresh market tomatoes. Nuttall, V.W. Begun in 1972, this experiment was designed to examine an aspect of production costs. An early seeding "En on March 15 was twice pricked off, first at 50, then at 10 plants per flat. This was compared with a second seeding on March 25 that was pricked off once into 3-inch, round peat pots. Both plantings were conditioned in a "cable- heated" frame for field transplanting which was delayed, first by risk of freezing, and later by wet weather, until May 23. The "El' seeding of Starshot and Springset produced an average of 1.6 T/A of early fruit in excess of the "S" seeding, while there was no difference in earliness between the "E" and "S" seedings of Fireball and Campbell 1327. At peak season within varieties, there was no significant difference in cumulated yields between the two dates of seeding and methods of growing the plants. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. . NOR 1GO).

TOMATOES, cultivar trials. Nuttall, V.W. In the advanced trial of hand- picked cvs for whole pack and juice, Veemore and ST-21 produced the greatest early yields; Campbell 28 and Heinz 1350 the best midseason, and Heinz 1350 and ST-19 the highest total yields. Fruit sizes ranged from 6.60 ounces for ST-19 to 3.52 ounces for ST-21. The latter had some radial cracking, while Veemore had hard etern removal, and Veebrite a large, deep core. Promising observation hand-picked cvs were Springset, Ottawa 107, Ottawa 91, ST-24, and Campbell 28.

Top-yielding in the advanced trial of paste types, picked once, were Lafayette, Veeroma, Heinz 1706, Potomac, Dorchester, and Heinz 69-19. Lafayette, Dorchester, and Potomac had the largest fruits at 2.5, 2.3, and 2.2 ounces respec- tively, and V717, Heinz 69-19, and V729 the smallest sizes at 1.4, 1.7, and 1.8 ounces respectively. Four of the observation paste cvs equal or superior to Heinz 1706, the Standard, were Ontario 741, and 748, Cal J and Ottawa 148. The latter is noteworthy for its very small core.

In fresh market tomatoes, an observation trial indicated that three culti- vars from the former Prairie Co-Operative Tomato Breeding program were equal to Fireball in earliness, but unfortunately all had undesirable features such as roughness (deep creasing), cat-facing, etc. ~arlycumulative yields in T/A were: from Melfort (17.9), Pembina (7.9) , Fireball (5.9) , and Booster (4.5 tons). Red Magic and Royal Flush produced high total yields, but were not in contention with Fireball for either early or midseason yields. (~gricultureCanada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO).

GROWTH-regulator (Ethrel) effect on tomato maturity and yields. Nuttall, V.W. Ethrel at 0.8 lb/A was applied August 23 when an estimated 5 to 30 per cent of the processing tomatoes were pin? or red. A once-over harvest was made Septem- ber 4 when an estimated 75 to 85 per ceilt of fruits on treated ("T") plots were canning ripe. Check ("C") plots were picked the same day. Mean yields were : V729 "T" , 42.0 T/A and "C" , 32.9; heinz 69-19 "T", 37.3 and "C", 33.7; Moira "TI; . 36.3 and "C", 19.6; Heinz 1350 "T", 37.9 and "C", 18.2 tons.

The foregoing results were generally the same as in 1972, with yield increases - ranging from 3.6 to 19.7 tons per acre, or a maximum of 108 per cent over check. Fruit size was smaller from the 4 treated varieties, being most noticeable in Moira "T" at 4.12 ounces compared to "C" at 5.02 ounces.

A study of the effect of Ethrel on market tomatoes was exploratory to determine if an expected reduction in harvest labor would compensate for an expected sacrifice in yield. Six varieties at the mature green stage were treated on July 24. Treatments were overall "A", centre of the row "B", (both at 0.8 -/A) and check "C" . The mature green stage was considered critical since Ontario market tomatoes are picked at the first flush of colour to half-ripe to permit packing and long-distance shipping.

On July 29, yields in the 6 varieties from "A" ranged from 23.6 to 7.0 T/A; from "B", 11.4 to 1.2 and from "C", 3.1 to 0.0 tons. Jetfire responded best in both "A" and "B" treatments. All "An-treated plots were stripped of No. 1 fruits in three harvests, with the average yield from 6 cvs being 25.6 T/A in excess of "C". The "eacrifice" in yield from "A" vs "C" was only 3.1 tons. "B" and "C" plots each required five picks at weekly intervals. A degree of fruit-softening was observed in both the "A" and "B" plots. The experiment merits detailed study. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO) SEEDING wheel to direct seed through paper mulch. Jung, R.V. The samll lightweight seeding wheel developed at Guelph has overcome most of the problems associate with previous paper mulch seeders. Modifications of the open pocket design are being evaluated. The adaption of a plate type (John Deere 33) and a rubber belt type (Stanhay) seed metering box to the seeding wheel is in progress. A twin wheel seeding unit integrally mounted on a paper mulch laying and anchoring machine is under development. (School of Engineering, University of Guelph) .

PREPLANT and ~re~lantincornorated herbicides for weed control in trans- planted processing tomatoes I. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E., and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, P222, Res. Rept., Can, Weed Comm. (~ast.Sec.1 1974.

PREPLANT incorporated and pre-emergence combinations in transplanted processing tomatoes 11. Brown, R.H., ~itblado,R.E., and Konecnv, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, p. 223, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (~ast.Sec.) 1974.

PREPLANT incorporated and post- emergence combinations of herbicides for weed control in transplanted processing tomatoes 111. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E., and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, p.223-224, Res., Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sec.) 1974.

POST-EMERGENCE applications of metribuzin in transplanted processing tanatoes IV. Brown, R.H. , Pitblado, R.E. , and Konecny , J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, p.225, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sec.) 1974.

HERBICIDES for tomato transplants. Phatak, S.C.

METFIBUZIN and mixtures for field-seeded tomatoes. Phatak, S.C. and W.J. Bouw.

HERBICIDES and mistures for field seeded tomatoes. Phatat, S.C., and W.J. Bouw.

EFFECT and shading on metribuzin phototoxicity to tomatoes. Phatak, S.C.

WEED control in processing tomatoes. Hamill, A.S. and G. Friesen, Agr. Can., Harrow, p.228, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sec. .

WEED control in early tomatoes. Hamill, A.S. and G. Friesen, Agr. Can. Harrow, p.229, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sec.).

EFFECT of herbicides on tomatoes growing under cool, wet conditions. Hamill, A.S. and G. Friesen, Agr. Can. Harrow, p. 230, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sec.) .

EFFECT of herbicides on processing tomatoes growing under cool, wet con- ditions on a heavy clay soil . Hamill, A.S. and G. Friesen, Agr. Can., Harrow, p. 231, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sec.). WEED control in early tomatoes. Hamill, A.S. and Friesen, G.

EFFECT of herbicides on tomatoes for growing under cool wet conditions. Hamill, A. S. and G. Friesen

EFFECT of herbicides on processing tomatoes graving under cool wet condi- tions on a heavy clay soil. Hamill, A.S. and G. Friesen

SCREENING herbicides for weed control in transplanted processing tomatoes V. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, p.225-226, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Cm. (East. Sec.) 1974.

PRE-EMERGENCE and post-emergence herbicides for weed control in field seeded tomatoes 11. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ontario, p.227, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comrn. (East. Sec.) 1974.

METFUBUZIN in combination with other herbicides on tomatoes. Haney, H.B. and Warren, V. Smithfield Experimental Fam, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario.

I. L. Nonnecke, Chairman Ontario Tomato Committee ONTARIO GREENHOUSE AND PROTECTED VEGETABLE CROPS COMMITTEE

Committee Obiective - To assist through research and extension, in economic pro- duction and marketing of Igreenhouse and protected vegetables.

Crops - Greenhouse Tomato Greenhouse Cucumbers (sseded) Greenhouse Cucumbers (seedless) Greenhouse Lettuce Forcing Rhubarb Rad ish Mushroom professional Man Years or Research in Ontario Greenhouse Tomato 2.46 Man Years Greenhouse Cucumber 0. 90 Greenhouse Lettuce 0. 10 Greenhouse Rad is h - Forcing Rhubarb Mushroom -0. 40 Total 3.86 Man Years

C.D.A. Harrow - 2.80 Man Years

Comnittee Membership J.C. Fisher (Chairman), Soils & Crops Branch, O.M.A.F., Harrow A. Loughton (Secretary), H.R.I.O., O.M.A.F., Vineland Station W.S. Clifford - Grower, 1066 Highway #18 East, Kingsville C.B. Freeman - Grower, R. R. # 3, Beamsvil le E.A. Kerr, Horticultural Experiment Station, O.M.A.F., Simcoe R.J. McClanahan, Agriculture Canada Research Station, Harrow B.H. MacNei I I, Dept. of Environmental Biology, U. of G., Guelph D.A. Moore, Ontario Greenhouse Veg. Producers Marketing Board, Leamington L.W. Ondejko - Grower, 453 Seacliffe Drive West, Leamington I.D.W. Smith, Soils & Crops Branch, O.M.A.F., Vineland Station M. Valk, O.M.A.F., Muck Research Station, R.R. #I, Kettleby G.M. Ward, Agriculture Canada Research Station, Harrow

Abstracts of Research Projects recent ly comp l eted, or present ly under study, are presented herein, as follows:

PESTS AND PEST l C lDE EVALUAT l ON

McCIANAHAN, R. J., Leaf Miners on Greenhouse Crops LOUGHTON, A., Mushrooms, Incorporation of Insecticides into the Casing BREEDING AND CULTIVAR TRIALS

KERR, E. A., Greenhouse Tomato Breeding KERR, E. Am, POTTER, J. W, and PATRICK, Z. A., Combination of Resistence to Rootknot Nematode and Leaf Mold in Tomato MUEHMER, J. K., Fal I Greenhouse Tomato Trials, 1974 LOUGHTON, A., European Seed less Cucumbers, Cu l t ivar Trial, Spring ,1974 LOUGHTON, A., European Seedless Cucumbers, Cultivar Trial, Sunmer 1974 MUEHMER, J. K., Variety Evaluation of Standard Hothouse Cucumber, Spring 1974 NUTTALL,V. W., Cucumbers (Greenhouse) Breeding and Testing WARD, G. M., Variety Test of Seeded Cucumbers

NUTRl TlON AND CROP CULTURE

VALK, M., LOWNDES, T. F., Trough Culture of Greenhouse Tomatoes in Muck and Soil- less Mixture with Regular and Slow Release Fertilizers WARD, G. M., Fertilizer Retention by Soilles Mix for Greenhouse Tomatoes LOUGHTON, A., European Seedless Cucumber, Nutrition, Spring 1974 LOUGHTON, A., European Seedless Cucumber, Nutrition, Fall 1974 WARD, G. M., Fert i I i zer Requi rements for Seed less Cucumbers

CROP WNAGEMENT

WARD, G. M., Cage Plant, Greenhouse Tomato WARD, Go M., Delayed Planting, Greenhouse Tomato WARD, G. M., Bee Protect ion in Cucumber Greenhouses LOUGHTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 7) Comparison of Sphagnum Peat Moss from Di f ferent Sources LOUGHTON, Am, Mushroom Casing (Exp. 8) Comparison of Different Materials LOUGKTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 9) Effect of Steaming Peat LOUGHTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 10) Comparison of Rates of Hydrated Lime and Calcitic Limestone for Neutralizing Peat LOUGKTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 11) Comparison of Rates and Types of Neutralizing Agents for Peat LOUGKTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 12) Firming and Covering Peat Casing LOUGHTON, A., Mushroom Casing (Exp. 13) Miscellaneous Peat and Other Materials

The Greenhouse and Protected Vegetable Crops Conmittee met on July 4, 1974 and again on November 27, At the November meeting, the problems facing the in- dustry were reviewed and the 1973 and 1974.research priorities re-examined. Recomnendations #1 and #2 of our former recomnendations were re-named to the priority list for 1975. Reconmendation No. 3, dealing with the Harrow Seedless Cucumber Breeding Project was removed from the priority list on the basis of the following motion, presented and carried at our July 4 meeting: "That the evaluation program for the Harrow Seedless Cucumber be removed from the priority research list; but the Harrow Breeding Program be continued at its present level with emphasis on a highly productive seedless cucumber, which will meet current grade standards for seeded cucumber^.^^

Our revised priority list of recommendations for Greenhouse and Protected Vegetable Crop Research is respectfully presented as follows: Greenhouse Tomato - t he industry requires a high quality , red fruited variety of Vendor type but wi th firmer fruit than the existing varieties. It should be resistant to Leaf Mold, T.M.V., Fusarium and Vertici l l ium Wi l ts, Nematodes and Bacterial Canker (see Rec. 3 - item V). Also, in view of steadily in- creasing heating cost s, the development of varieties that will set well and produce satisfactori l y at lower temperatures, should become a part of the breeding research program.

pecomnendation - The geenhouse tomato breeding program under the direction of Dr. E.A. Kerr be continued at the Horticultural Experiment Station at Simcoe. The cornittee is pleased to note that new greenhouse facilities to accomnodate the project have now been provided at Simcoe.

Greenhouse Cucumber - the industry requires an American-type variety with as high productivity, both early and total as Burpee Hybrid combined with the superior uni form dark green co lour as High Mark I I . 5ecomnendation - That screening tests of existing and new varieties of field cucumbers be continued at the Harrow Research Station during the early months of 1975. Although considerable progress has been made in the variety screening program since It began in the fa1 l of 1973, additional tests are required be- fore final conclusions can be drawn.

Greenhouse Tomato and Cucumber - Pest Control - disease and insect problems never cease to plague the greenhouse vegetable industry. There will always be a need for continued monitoring and study of crop pests and pesticides.

Recomnendation - Maintain a strong research emphasis on greenhouse disease and insect control in a program that is co-ordinated to make maximum use of all research staff and facilities, but which provides sane flexibility, in case serious outbreaks occur which require maximum, immediate effort.

At the present time, emphasis should be placed on the following disease and insect control programs:

1. Jeaf Miner - A pest of increasing importance in the fall tomato crop in Essex County, for which there are no registered insecticides of significant value. Studies re biological and chemical control should continue. (Harrow Research Station).

ii powderv Mildew Control on Cucumbers - The material Morestan has been removed from the 1975 list of recomnendations for Powdery Mildew Control. This leaves us with only Benlate and there are documented cases of resistance to the fungicide, by mildew on other crops. We are in a precarious position. (Harrow Research Station). ... I I I Two-Spotted Mite Control on Cucumbers - Two miticides; namely Morestan and Tedion, have been removed from the 1975 list of recanmendations for mite control on seeded and seedless cucumbers. This leaves only Kelthane as a registered material for spray application. We need alternative miticides. (Harrow Research Stat ion).

iv Tomato Foot Rot - (Fusarium sp) - A disorder that appeared in a number of greenhouse tomato crops in the Leamington area in 1974. Continue investiga- tions that are presently underway. (Harrow Research Station). c-41 v Bacterial Canker - A constant and ominous threat to the greenhouse tomato \ industry in the Leamington area, which re-appeared in a number of greenhouses in the fall of 1974, after several years of only minor damage. We must not become complacent about this disease. Presently, there is evidence that some field varieties have a degree of resistance to this disease. This should be investigated in conjunction with our Greenhouse Tomato Breeding Program. (Harrow Research Station; Hort cultural Experiment Station, Simcoe).

vi - Frequently a serious l im ting factor in tomato production. Continue 'studies of control techniques. (H.R.I.O., Vineland).

vii Q-eenhouse Whitefly - Morestan had significant insecticidal properties against this insect for whitefly contr I; as well as its acaricidal value for 2 spotted mite and fungicidal value for powdery mildew. We are short of suitable registered insecticides to control whitefly in (a) eradication programs to wipe out existing infestations before parasites are introduced and (b) in in- tegrated programs to supplement biological control be means of chemicals to reduce adult whitefly populations without eliminating the parasites. (Harrow Research Station).

NOTE: The designated locations which appear in brackets, above,after the suggested pest control programs, are not intended to preclude other research locations where adequate facilities and staff might exist.

The conmittee endorsed the other existing greenhouse research programs, and noted a need for further experimentation especially on nutritional requirements of seeded cucumbers, engineering aspects of greenhouse heating, air circulation and ventilation. It was further suggested that, studies be continued on C02, trace element deficiencies and toxicities and new crop possibilities, e.g. strawberries.

Our committee also re-expressed concern ;over registration of existing, or new pesticides for greenhouse use, once they are found to be effective. The high cost of obtaining adequate residue data and other information as required for registrations, combined with the potentially low total expected volume of sales, combined with the greater hazards involved when using pesticides within confined areas, as in a greenhouse and therefore the .greater number of precautions that must be practised and l isted on the label, produces a situation that is not very attrac- tive to manufacturers of pesticides. Researchers, too, are frequently discouraged, especially when they find that a certain product is effective against a certain insect or disease; have collected data to verify its safety fran a residue point of view, but yet the product is not.registered for use. In such cases, the grower is usually the loser and frequently becomes d.isillusioned with the progress of research and advice of Extension. Our committee firmly states that a concentrated md continuous effort must be put forth towards reaistration of suitable ~esticides for use on minor and protected veaetable crow. This program is of twofold impor- tance. First; it will provide growers with a choice of pest control materials that are known to be safe, and second; it will prevent growers from experimenting on their own with unregistered materials that may be dangerous.

penef i t: - Maintenance, wi thin the Greenhouse and Protected Vegetable Crops segments of Ontario's Horticultural Industry, of a sufficient margin of profit for viability and significance.

As we noted a year ago, the above aim must be viewed under a rapidly changing and somet imes frightening set of circumstances, compared to the greenhouse vegetable industry that existed when our committee was formed, just 2f years ago. Fuel prices and greenhouse construction costs continue to climb rapidly, and efforts to reduce fuel consumption and thereby conserve energy, must be a constant consideration of our committee. There is still evidence however, of continued expansion, which includes some 3-4 acres of new glass presently under construction in the Leamington area, and a continued expression of interest from many other parts af the province.

From the abstracts which follows, it will be noted that Mushroom research is an important part of the program at H.R.I.O. Neither this crop, nor Forced Rhubarb have been discussed at length by our committee. All enquiries or suggestions for these crops should be direction to Mr. Arthur Loughton, H.R.I.O., Vineland Station, Ontario.

RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

PESTS AND PEST l Cl DE EVALUAT l ON

LEAF miners on qreenhouse crops. McClanahan, R.J. The importance and spread of the vegetable leaf miner, Liriomvza munda Frick, in greenhouse crops (tomatoes, lettuce and chrysanthemums), justified the initiation of a full scale project with emphasis on cultural and biological control.

The most abundant natural parasite is Diqlyphus beqini Ashmead, and it has been reared for over a year. Some progress has been made in clarifying the outdoor host plants and parasite complex of L, munda. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario).

MUSHROOMS incorporation of insecticides into the casinq. Loughton, A. The normal method of insect control in cultivated mushrooms is by applying in- secticides regularly and frequently to the bed surface, to the structural sur- faces inside the houses, or to the atmosphere as a fog. Investigations during 1974 studied the effects on yield and residues in the mushroom after incorpora- ting insecticides into the casing material once only at the beginning of a crop. Compost peasteuri sed 4 - 13 Apri I, spawned 16 Apri l , cased (wi th incorporation of insect i cide treatments) 6 and 7 May, harvest period 20 May - 11 July (52 days).

Yields in Ib./sq.ft.) Casi nq Material

Rate of -PI R MIPHOS ETHYL Peat/L imestone 0 PPm 1.74 25 1.64 374 1.53 50 1.80 100 1.74 Yields in Ib./sq.ft. Casinq Material

Rate of Topsoi l Peat/Limestone CHLORFENV lN PHOS

There were no significant di fferences due to pirimiphos ethyl. With chlorfenvinphos, 100 ppm on topsoil caused a significant yield rdduction canpared with 25 ppm on topsoil and 0 ppm on peat/limestone.

Residue analysis of pirimiphos ethyl revealed no detectable residues of the material or breakdown products in the mushroans. Similar analyses for chlorfenvinphos are not yet available. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

GREENHOUSE tomato breedinq. Kerr, E.A. The top priority for the Greenhouse and Protected Vegetable Crops Cornnittee is the development of red- fruited, short-internode tomatoes similar to Vendor but with firmer fruit and greater disease resistance. New types of resistance to leaf mold are being in- corporated from wild tomatoes by backcrossing to Vendor, or FI hybrids containing Vendor. Pink types were used in some of the early backcrossing and pink fruited segregates are sometimes appearing when the plants are selfed.

Seven different wi Id accessions are represented in the lines being grown. These appear to have about 25 genes for resistance. Undoubtedly several will prove to be duplicates but resistant reactions suggest that about 10 may be distinct. Tests for allelism are now being made.

No lines appeared to be commercially acceptable in the fall 1973 crop. Consequently all plants were backcrossed in the spring 1974 crop using cultivars that would incorporate resistance to leaf mold, tobacco mosaic and nematodes in all progeny. Fusarium wilt resistance would be incorporated in most crosses and verticillium resistance in a few. Both spring and fall crops were inoculated with C. fulvuq race 12, TMV and A. incoqnita. Most of the selections have resistance to these three pests.

In an attempt to select for lines that will set freely at low temperatures the thermostats were set at 60'~ night temperature for the fall crop and pollina- tion was done with an air blast machine. It is planned to use a 58' night te~ perature for the spring 1975 crop.

Some lines now appear to have comnercial size and quality. Although they are not entirely stabilized a few will be tested in the spring crop at Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology and at the Muck Research Station. (Hort icu l tura l Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario). : COMBINATION of resistance, to rootknot nematode and leaf mold in tomato. Kerr, E.A., Potter, J.W. and Patrick, Z.A. Rootknot nematode resistance (Mi) and leaf mold resistance (Cf-2) are very close on chromosane 6. Hence it is very difficult to obtain a line that breeds true for both resistances.

In spring 1974 ti40 lines from the cross lndian River x Anahu were scored as homozygous resistant to leaf mold and segregating for nematode resistance. One line from Massachusetts #2 .was imilarly classified. After 10 generations of inbreeding no selection from the cross Anahu x Vantage has yet been found to be homozygous for either resistance. In fall 1974 seven lines were scored as homozygous resistant to leaf mold but they have not yet been scored for rootknot.

Indian River, Mass #2 and Vantage were all thought to contain the gene u-2 which gives an immune reaction to race 10. This sumner the resistant plants fran Mass #2 showed a slight chlorosis. This ananaly has not yet been investi- gated. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe; Canada Agriculture, Vineland Stat ion and Department of Botany, University of Toronto) .,

FAll areenhouse tomato trials. 1974. Muehmer, J.K. In cooperation with H.E.S. Simcoe, seventeen different cultivars and breeding lines were evaluated for yield and quality with seven additional breeding lines under observation in campus greenhouses. Abnormal vegetative growth resulted in decreased fruit set. Up to November 21, 1974 the best performing entries were:

Designat ion Yield T/A % Blotch

------

Vantage 15.0 10.0 Vendor 12.8 0. 0 EE48AA 7.8 30.0 EE62BA 7. 5 0. 0 D 2AAAA 6.3 18.0 EE92AA 5.6 0- 0

A high incidence of blotch on the following breeding lines: DDmAA, V 6815 and EElOlAB will result in unsatisfactory yields. (Ridgetown College of Agr icultural Technology, Ridgetown, Ontario).

EUROPEAN seed l ess cucumbers, cu l ti var trial , spri nq 1974. Loughton, A. Twe l ve cultivars were grown in a heated glasshouse (4 replications). Seeded 9 Jan., planted on straw bales 4 Feb., harvest period 7 March - 18 July. High- est yielding cul tivars were PANDEX (Pannevis), TOSKA 70 (Nunhem), FARBIO (vanden Berg), UNIFLORA D (Ri ji k Zwaan) , KK-72-20 (vanden Berg) , LA RElNE (Bruinma). The breeding line HG 70-72 from Agriculture Canada Research Station, Harrow gave a significantly lower yield than the other eleven cultivars. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario,'Vineland Station, Ontario). EUROPEAN seedless cucumbers. cultivar trial, sumner 1974. LOUGHTON, A, Nine cultivars or breeding lines were grown in an UNHEATED PLASTIC GREENHOUSE after the house had been ised in the spring for raising bedding plants, The house has a stone floor whlch necessitates growing cucumbers on straw bales placed on the stone surface. The cucumbers were seeded 15 May, planted on bales 14 June, harvest period 8 July - 16 Sept. The best yielding varieties were SANDRA 100, TOSKA 70, 666-72 (all from Nunhem), F1 No. 169 and F1 No. 160 (van der Ploeg). (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario)

YARIETY evaluation of llshortu (standard) hothouse cucumbers. sprins 1974. Muehmer, J.K. In cooperation with Research Station, C.D.A. Harrow, a replicated yield trial of 8 cultivars were sown into 4'' peat pots December 17, 1973, raised under lights and transplanted into the house on January 9, 1974. It was attempted to duplicate the cultural methods and management practices used at Harrow to have valid comparisons. The 10 week harvest period extended from February 25 to April 30. None of the cultivars under test were equal to Burpee Hybrid (check) in yield nor quality, but Highmark I I, Saticoy and Triumph followed closely. The considerably lower eating quality and external appearance of the llrunner-upsll still necessitates further search for better alternatives to Burpee's. (Ridgetown Col lege of Agricultural Technology, Ridgetown, Ontario).

UCUMBERS (areenhouse), breedi ns and testinq. Nut tal I, V.W. The Harrow F1 hybrid seedless cucumber HG70.72 is ready for naming and introduction. How ever, its intermediate length apparently doesn't meet the requirements of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Producers' Marketing Board. Since the Board's grading system places all fruits of HG70.72 in the short and medium length categories for which lower prices are paid, local growers likewise indicate dis- satisfaction with this hybrid. In 1974, the Ontario Food Council - O.G.V.P.M.B. organized consumer acceptance types, and a stronger preference for the short and medium sizes. In a second Toronto supermarket, about 70 per cent of sales were medium and small fruits. Other data show that demands for small and medium seed- less cucumbers for the period 1971 to 1974 increased from 45 to 60 per cent. Since a) yields of HG70.72 and Toska 70 were comparable in both regular or special trials at Harrow, Ridgetown, Winnipeg and Sidney, B.C.; b) a University of Manitoba Home Economics panel rated both "highly acceptablen for quality; and c) preliminary reports from American and European seedsmen, and from New Zealand Agriculture rate it acceptable to very good, the statistics and reports appear to be inconsistent with the ''reject iont1 of HG70.72.

None of 20 European seedless cucumbers showed high tolerance to local isolates of CMV. The development of virus tolerant lines is being accelerated with those lines being combined with powdery mildew tolerant and bitterfree deriva- tives from HG70.78. Also receiving more emphasis is the development of short- fruited lines subsequently to be tested for combining ability as seedless hybrids to rep1ace seeded types l i ke Burpee Hybrid and Highmark I I. (AgricuI ture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NoR.lG0).

VARIETY test of seeded cucumbers. Ward, G.M. and Nutta l I, V.W. A variety test comprised of 37 cultivars of seeded greenhouse cucumbers was conducted in a fall crop at Harrow and a selection of 12 o f these was grown in a spring crop. The fruit was rated for comparative earliness, y ield, colour, appearance and taste. No variety has yet been found which combines the yield potential of Burpee Hybrid and the qua1 ity characteristics of High ark' l I, the twa currently popular varieties in Essex County. (Research Station, Harrow, On tario). NUTRITION AND CROP CULTURE

TROUGH culture of qreenhouse tomatoes' in muck and soi l les mixture wi th -tar and slow-release ferti l i zers. Va lk, M., Lowndes, T.F. The ob- jective of this investigation was to find out if greenhouse tomatoes would produce better yields and quality of fruit when grown in troughs filled with muck to a 6 inch and 8 inch depth as compared to tomatoes grown straight in muck (ground beds). Six inch troughs with a peat and vermiculite mixture was also used as a comparison. A regular weekly feeding schedule with conventional fertilizer materials was compared with a slow-release fertilizer applied at planting time. The cultivars used in this experiment were Michigan Ohio and Vendor. Planting date - January 25th, date of first picking - Apr. 9th, date of last picking - July 26th.

After 4 weeks of picking, the 8 inch troughs produced the highest yields, (3.93 Ibs. Michigan Ohio; 3.50 Ibs. Vendor). The lowest yield was obtained from the ground beds treatment (regular fertilizer).

Michigan Ohio produced the best yield (13.87 pounds per plant) with the regularly fertilized ground beds. Vendor produced the best yield (13.19 pounds per plant) with the slow-release fertilizer, ground bed treatment.

The troughs filled with muck and treated with regular fertilizer produced an average of 3.15 pounds less than the ground beds. The soilless mix yielded 3.28 pounds less than the ground beds. A large amount of unmarketable fruit, 1.31 pounds (Michigan Ohio) showed up in the soilless mix treatment. This was mainly due to blossom end rot. Vendor also produced thehighesf amount of blossom end rot effected fruit in the soilless mix, although to a lesser extent than Michigan Ohio. The ground beds produced the largest number and also the largest sized fruit. (Muck Research Station, R.R. #I, Kettleby, Ontario).

FERTI I I ZER retent ion by soi l less mix for qreenhouse tomatoes. Ward, G.M. Peatlite mix which had been used for previous crops of tomatoes retained an ap- preciable quantity of all fertilizer nutrients in spite of steaming and repeated leaching before the planting of a third,crop. Plants in this mix which received no added fert i l i zer during the who1 e seakon produced a normal crop unt i l the sea- son was well advanced. Then the supply of nutrients suddenly ran out, deficiency symptoms appeared very quickly and the plants died. (Research Station, Harrow, Ontario).

EUROPEAN seed l ess cucumber. nu tri t ion, spri ncl 1974. Loughton, A. A crop of European greenhouse cucumbers cv. TOSKA 70, was grown in troughs of peat/lite mix, isolated from the soil by a plastic lining. Seed sown 9 Jan., planted 4 Feb., harvest period 14 March - 10 June. Half the plots received no pre-crop base fertilizer. The other half received a regular application recmended for peat/lite culture. Three fertilizer schedules during cropping were superimposed:- (1) None, (2)Standard (as recomnended in WFPubl. 365 but modified by G.M. Ward, Agriculture Canada, Harrow), (3) Double standard (as above). The crop was generally poor, yielding only 40% of normal. Absence of pfe-crop base fertilizer caused a significant reduction in yield only where no fertilizer was applied during cropping. Si'gnificant yield differences occurred between all three "feeding- during-croppingl1 treatments, with the highest yields produced from the Standard schedule, Double standard caused a significant reduction in crop compared to the single standard. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario). EUROPEAN seed l ess cucumbers. nutr i t ion. fa l I 1974. Lough ton, A. Seed of cv. TOSKA 70 sown June 28, transplanted July 2, planted in the house July 19, harvest period Aug. 15.- Nov. 12, Four replications of a randomised block of six treatments. Half the plots were beds of peat/lite mix containing the recmended base fertilizer, The other half were soil beds ( the normal soil of the house). Three fertilizer schedules were superimposed on the tw bed treatments:- (1) The Ontario Standard (as in Publn. 365 but modified by G.M. Ward, Harrow) (2) An English feeding schedule (nitrogen only for the first 6 weeks, then N:K at 24~1,plus Mg). (3) Slow release OSMOCOTE 18-6-12 as a base, with no other fertilizer after planting.

Soil beds gave a higher yield than peat/lite. The English feeding schedule gave a poorer yield than the other two on peat/lite, but not on the soil beds. Slow release base fertilizer with no feeding after planting gave yields equal to those from regular feeding schedules. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario.)

FERTI I IZER requ irements for seedless cucumbers. Ward, G.M. Seed less cucumbers, cult. Toska and HG70-72, grown in peat, have responded in increasing yields in direct proportion to increasing amounts of fertilizer based on a new modified feeding schedule. Yields were depressed when quantities larger than those recommended in the schedu le were app l ied. HG70-72 outyi e lded Toska wi th a maximum yield of 5100 fruits per 1000 sq. ft. over a 20-week harvest period. The new fertilizer schedule will appear in the 1975 edition of OMAF Publ. 365. (Research Stat ion, Harrow, On tari0).

CROP MANAGEMENT

CAGE ~lant.areenhouse tomato. Ward, G.M. Six cage plants, cult. Vendor, were grown in the spring crop in peatlite beds, covering the space nor- mally occupied by 40 plants at the standard spacing of 4 sq. ft. per plant. Fruit yield varied from 70.6 Ib per plant to 101.2 Ib per plant depending upon proximity of the plant to the outside glass of the greenhouse. The average value was 80.3 Ib per plant which is equivalent to 12.0 Ib from 4 sq. ft. The check plots with pla"ts it standard spaci.ng yielded 12.2 Ib per plant.. (Research ~tat'ion, Harrow, Ontario).

DEl AYED P l ant ina . areenhouse tomato. Ward, G.M. The convent i ona I spring cropping period for greenhouse tomatoes in Ontario is Jan. 15 - July 15. Some growers delay planting to economize on fuel and for other reasons. A test to determine the amount of yield reduction in cult. Vendor due to delayed plant of 1 month and 2 months indicated the fol lowing yields: 6 months 12.34 Ib per plant, 5 months 10.16 Ib per plant, 4 months 8.63 Ib per plant. The average size of marketable fruit increased with each period of delayed planting: 6 mon 3.48 oz, 5 months 3.88 oz, 4 months 4.20 02. . (Research Station, Harrow, Ontar

~rotectionin cucumber areenhouses. Ward, G.M. An insulated box for a hive of pollinating-bees to protect them from sumner heat in a greenhouse has been designed and tested and is highly recmended by a local bee-keeper as means-of saving colonies, The box can also be used for confining the bees during pesticide spraying operations making it unnecessary to remove the hive from the house. (Research Station, Harrow, Ontario). MUSHROOM casins (Exp. 7) comparison of sphaanum peat moss from di f feren t sources. Loughton, A. Compost recel ved Oct. 5, 1973, spawned Oct. 16, cased Nov. 1, harvest period Nov. 13 - Jan. 11, 1974 (59 days). The ten treatments (9 peat + 1 topsoil) were replicated ten times. BeachviLime grade 8.3 was used with the peats as a neutralising agent to produce a standard pH of 7.2 - 7.5 In the casing mixtures.

Yield (Ib/sq. ft.) Atkins and Durbrow, (Lower Caraquet, N.B. 1 3.41 a Evergreen Peat (Manitoba Pride, Beausejour, Man.) 3.40 a Premier (Riviere du Loup, P.Q.) 3.31 a Atkins and Durbrow (Port Colborne, Ont.) 3.26 a Fafard ( I nkerman Ferry, N.B.) 3.26 a Western Peat Moss (Delta, B.C.) 3.24 a ~amberts(Riviere Ouelle, P.Q.) 3.23 a Michigan Sedge (Imlay City, Michigan) 3.11 a b Topsoil (local comnercial mushroom grower) 2.82 b Annapolis Valley, (N.S.) 2.76 b

(Yields followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at the 5% levels- Duncans Mu l t ip l e Range Test)

The low yields from the topsoil and the Annapolis Valley peat are contra- dictory to results found earlier in 1973. Generally speaking, it appears that sphagnum peat moss from any reputable supplier is suitable for use as mushroom casing, and no real advantage is to be gained from any one particular source. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

BUSHROOM casins (ExP. 8) comparison of di fferent materials. Loughton, A. Compost received Dec. 11, 1973, spawned Dec. 21, cased Jan 10/11, 1974, harvest period Jan. 24 - March 19 (55 days). The ten treatments were replicated five times.

Yield (Ib/sq. ft.) Sedge peat from Keswick March, Ont. (steamed)/limestone 2.91 a Topsoil (comnercial Grower), top dressed with peat/ 2.78 a b l imestone Topsoi l (comnerci a l grower) 2.45 a b c Peat + Fonthill sand 2.36 b c Peat + Fonthill sand (steamed after mixing) 2.24 bc Peat + BeachviLime 8.3 2.22 c Turface Blend (60% coarse : 40% fine) 2.20 c Peat + BeachviLime 6.3, topdressed with topsoil 1.97s c Sludge from steelworks settling pond (ex Stelco) 0.77 d Clay tile fragments 0.05 e

(Yields followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at the 5% level - Duncans Multiple Range Test).

Mean yield adversely affected by one very poor plot. (Mean of four reps. = 2.41 Ib/sq. ft.)

. . Peat used was Annapol is Val ley, N.S., unsteamed. Use of materials from local sources is promising, e.g. Keswick Marsh sedge peat, Fonthill sand. Disappointing results were obtained from the two industrial waste products, steelworks sludge and clay tile fragments. (Horticultural Research lnsti tute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario). BSHROOM caslna (EXD. 9) effect of stemina peat. Loughton, A. Compost received Dec. 11, 1973, spawned Dec. 21, cased Jan, 10/11, 1974, harvest period Jan. 24 - March 19, (55 days). Sphagnum peat moss from five different geographi- cal sources was used (1) steamed, (2) as delivered, Casing material was made up with BeachviLime grade 6.3 so that initial pH was 7.5. The experiment was laid out as a 5 x 2 split plot with five replications.

Yield (Ib/sq.ft.) Steamed Not Steamed I~ean I Evergreen Peat (Manitoba Pride, Beausejour, Man. 2.72 a 2.68 a 2.70 p Atkins & Durbrow (Port Colborne, Ont.) 2.67 a 2.14 c 2.41 q Lamberts (Riviere Ouelle, P.Q.) 2.48 abc 2.30 bc 2.39 q Atkins & Durbrow (Lower Caraquet, N.B. 1 2.60 ab 2.37 abc 2.49 p q Annapolis Val ley (Mushroom Brand, N.S.) 2.44 abc 2.23 c 2.34 q

Within their respective groups of means, yields followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at the 5% level (use sub-scripts a, b and c also for between the two columns "steamedl and not-steamedI1). There were no dif- ferences between the performances of the five peats when steamed, but yield dif- ferences did occur when they were used unsteamed.

All five peats per,formed better when steamed, although with only one (Atkins & Durbrow, Port Colborne, Ont.) was the difference significant. The mean effect of steaming, over all five peats, was to produce a significant 10% in- crease in yield compared with not steaming.

Qbservations on Nematode Populations. Some preliminary data have been collected from this experiment which indicate higher populations of saprophytic nematodes at the end of the crop on unsteamed peat. It is not known whether the corresponding loss in yield is attributable to the higher nematode population. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

&ISHROOM casina (ExD. 10): comparison of rates of hvdrated l ime and tic limestone for neutralisina peat. Loughton, A. Compost received Feb. 11, 1974, spawned Feb. 25, cased March 14/15, harvest period March 28 - May 18 (52 days). There were ten replications of ten treatments.

Yield Cast na Mater ia I j lblsq.ft.) Topsoi l (Comnerc la l Grower) 2.49 a Topsoil topdressed lightly with peat one week after casing 2.40 a b Peat & hydrated llme at 20 g/kg 2.11 b 11 II II 25 g/kg 2.51 a II II II 30 g/kg 2.41 a b II I1 II 35 g/kg 2.34 a b Peat & l imestone 1:l by weight 2-29 a b II 11 1:l-1/3 by weight 2.33 a b 11 II 1: 1-213 11 2.51 a I1 I1 1: 2 II 11 2.46 a b Mean of peat and hydrated lime: 2.34 Mean of peat and limestone: 2.40

The peat used was Atkins & Durbrow from Lower Caraquet, N.B. The l imestone used was BeachviLime Grade #3.

Yields for peat casing were comparable with those from the topsoil treat- ments. Again as in Expt. 8, there was no advantage from top dressing the topsoil casing with peat. The results indicate that calcitic limestone may be substituted by hydrated lime for neutralizing the peat, but more work is required to define the optimum rate. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

WSHROOM casina (ExD. 11): comparison of rates and types of neutralizin aaent for eat. Loughton, A. Compost received June 24, 1974, spawning Julyg5, cased July 24, harvest period Aug. 6 - Oct. 2 (57 days).

Cas i nq Treatment Yield (Ib/sq.ft.)

Topsoil (Comnercial Grower) 3.08 a Peat and Hydrated Lime (30 g/kg) 2.73 a b Peat and Hydrated Lime (25 g/kg) 2.64 a b Peat and Calcitic Limestone (1:l-2/31 2.59 a b c Peat and Hydrated Lime (35 g/kg) 2.31 b c d Peat and Limestone Dust (100 g/kg) 2.29 bcd Peat and Calcitic Limestone (1:l) 2.22 b c d e Peat and Calcitic Limestone (1:l-1/31 2.01 c d e Peat and Limestone Dust (200 g/kg) 1.98 d e Peat and Limestone Dust (150 g/kg) 1.66 e

Peat: Atkings & Durbrow (Lower Caraquet, N.B.J Calcitic Limestone: BeachviLime 8.3 Limestone Dust: St. Mary's Cement C., Bownanville, Ont. (waste Product)

As in the previous Expt. (NO. 101, hydrated lime gave results equal to calcitic limestone. The limestone dust waste material from a cement works gave generally lower yields, but further tests with this are justified. (Horticultural Research l nsti tute of Ontario, Vinel and Stat ion, Ontario).

OM casina (EXP. 12): firminq and coverinq peat casinq. Loughton, A. Compost received June 24, 1974, spawned July 5, cased July 25, harvest period Aug. 5 - Oct. 2, (58 days).

Casina Treatment Yield ( Ib/sq.ft.L

Topsoi l (Comnercial Grower) 3.47 a Peat/ l imestone, not f i rmed, no cover 3.63 a II not firmed, beds covered 3.54 a II f 1 rmed, no cover 3.32 a II firmed, beds covered 3.15 a

The peat/limestone casing was loose-filled 13 inches deep. The two llfirmedll treatments were gently firmed by hand imnediately after casing. The bed covering treatment used 5 mil clear polyethylene, cut to fit the trays. The beds were covered between casing and pinning. There were no significant effects of treatment in yield, although there was a tendency for both covering and firming to cause slight yield reductions. Mean yield fran the peat/limestone casing was equal to that fran topsoil. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario)..

&@j&2@4 casina (EXD 131: miscellaneous eat and other materials. Loughton, A. Canpost received June 24, 1974, spawed July 5, cased July 25, harvest period Aug. 5 - Oct. 2 (58 days).

Casing Treatment Yield (Ib/sq.ft.)

Humus Peat Moss (Kavanaugh, Grand Falls, N.B.) 2.71 a Atkins & Durbrow Peat (Lower Caraquet, N.B.) 2.60 a Acme Coarse Peat (Western Peat Co. Richmond B.C.) 2.59 a Topsoi l (Comnercial Grower) 2.54 a Clay Tile Fragments (1/8 in. minimum size) 0.61 b

The peats were neutralized with calcitic limestone (BeachviLime 8.3) using the ratio of peat: limestone 1:1+ by weight, except the Humus Peat Moss which was mixed 1: 1.

There were no differences between the three peats, or between peat and top- soil. The clay tile fragments gave a poor yield and obviously this waste product is unsatisfactory as mushroom casing when used al'one. The clay tile fragments used in this experiment was fran the same sample as used earlier (Exp. 8) but in this present trial all the particles below 1/8 inch were removed by sieving. (Horticul tural Research l nsti tute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario). ---Cornittee - - -(jh-jectivej ---- ?o provicle relevant il:fornatior, ti?rou&ii research leading to recornmendations on ~roductionand rr.arket,il-3 01' ruck crops in ~ntario. 'Ihe corrittee also acts as a research advisory bod) ior the l..uck hesearch Etation.

-Crop Values-;-. 1371--..- 1372 1973 (est.) Carrot $ 2,92$,96C .,; 3,857,00~ j,l95,7GC 9nion 3,925,lCC 3,e55,30C 7,139,eGc LeLtuce 1,4CE,2CL 1,539,500 2,C05,4CC C eler:r 752,7CC l,C45,CGG 1,715,060 Far snips --- 334 , 3Lc - ---334,826 - 2E4- J- PC0.. ---

Source-. -- : ("easonal Fruit and i'egetaS1.e Laport, Ar~,ual::ur.r.ary)

-I emt~ershi~ ------I. '

-.Keview ... .-.- -of---.- Research- - - : a7 Breedi~andCultivar Trials. Producers of oniori seed have beer; - - - -.------.-- -. - -- plagued by'ioo? crops lor several years. The seed su~plyTor 1975 hill be inadequate to satisfy the den:ard. This is all the rr,o=.e reason for cont inuirig an active cultivar evaluation propar,. r'orturiat el:r %ha-e is now a fairlg long list of onion cultivars which can be recomerided to growers. Some of these are high yielding, others are good storage t;~es,with somewhat lower yields. Iiighest yield obtained was with cv. Surmit (1642 x 5C pound bags/~)at Point Pelee Ilarsh. Eigheet yield in the Holland )larsh was obtained Srom Pros~ector(1122 bags//.). E.weet %anid onions are difficult to grow from seed iri our clir:,ate. >.ost cultivars produce less than 35C bags/A. Hov;ever, cv. Cirr.a produced €95 bags/A of 3 inch bulbs and over. -Bab;rcarrots -- - .- are becorring more popular with tha consmer ~;u?)lic. Pro- cessors are also inquiring about availability, production netnods, quality, yield, etc. rdth solid bed plaritin,; ad 2 ~1ar.tpopulation of about 5C; plants per square foot, cv. Little r'inger produced 2C ;ioris/A "baby1' size carrots ($ - ? inch dim. and 1; - 3 inches ir, lerqth). Cther cultivars producing rood yields and acceptable shape, color, good uniformity etc, include, ksterdan IkXnicore, hsterdm Sorar, Zoreless !x.sterrlam, &:weetheart, iianta ard I.3ni- Fak. hf ter lye y eelin; mu Fro- cessin,; 'o:; the Fiorticultural Product Laboratory, Littie i:irAger was a~air: OUR^ to 5e the best with Arr:Aerdr Form and other ?.r,sterclw t?-2::; runnb-, a close ~ecord. 3eevaluatior. of ur. Eakerts carrot breedi.!ng W_O~Y~corhinued ir. 1?74. Thirty-five growers cooperated by testing seventeen K.S. U. hjbrius or. their farm. The results are very encouraging. Eeveral cultivars shou 2 consistent tolerance tc the "rustj rootvrdisease. ibis prozrarr will be continued in 1975 since Growers have increased their iercani for seeu of the '15988" crosses. 'Three of these will be named shcrtl;r. o) Pests -apd Festicide hvQu~t_ions. Fythiw: has beer, identifiee as a contributing factor Io? --ru-s&>lcc_k. 1,:owever one of the Fythiun s~ecieswas fourd in other areas ill OrAaric and Csebec, where the disease is ur,krAown. This problec. continues to baffle plart pathologists, nw!atologists etc. Besearchers are startin:; to shy away from the propar-, which was given top priority by this com5ttee from its beginrhg. Legarcilesz ol what may bc the causal agent, research on any ~ossiblecortrol neasures mst continue. ?recision seeding hes giver' f avour able result s Further studies hill - - - - - . -. . . - -.-. .- - . bs conducted to probe dee~erir.to the question why this seeding rrethod iqroves carrot quality. One investigation probed icto tFLe~robler; of llhorizontP1 crackingvvin carrots. -.-~helated- --.--- trace elements- -- applied to the soil reduced these horizontal lesions. Zinc appears to give a greater respocse thar.

several research programs were desiped to study methods of fii_spPase and insect monitoring in o~fie-r-to- Lrn~rov_e-~_e_s_t_i_ci.de- 2fficienc:i. It was ------.------. shown that for maxim effect arid to avoid waste, fun~icidalsprays must be applied at critical stages in the disease developre~t,de - pending OR weather co~ditions. Lix sprays applied to carrot foliage, timed by weather corditions, co~trolledbli~hts Setter than weekly sprays. This will save the grower about=.= per acre on spray raterials and increase the yield by an additional v16.~0per acre. --Carrot Lust--.-- r1~ was ~onitoredto time sprays. Zresults of the r~oni- torinp 2rozrm azain showed that a substantial reduction in the amourk of insecticide required can be achieved by tra~pingadults in certain locations to tine sFra:js against the secoxxi generation. Carrot yeeiJ is becondng rore prevale~tin the holland Marsh. This icsect appears about lay lC, and reaches a peak during the first week of June. iio dmage occurred to carrots rlanted later than July 3. Celer? was also severely attacked. Chemical control was best with carbolurar, as a :rar.uler treatner t and chlorpyriphos as a f oliar SF ray. Control of the -Onion I-.a~&otby the -sterile ------rale- approach aFFears feasible. I'. ~~allmarsh, the ~eswick-barsh, containing approxb.ate1 20C acres of onions was utilized for this study. Over six rdllion sterilized flies were released coirxident to emergence of first and second generation adults iLthe field. mant damage a~pearedto be very smll conpared to the control area in a cearby rarsh. Control of ---Onion - Lmut.-- - and onion maggot with chdcals is still essential as far as growers are comerred. It was fourld that Birlane was ineffec- tive at Ledngton. The standard treatment E'thion-thirarr G plus Pro-Cro :ave the best control ar.d the highest yield.

--r'i eld- --- !:anaeent------Trials- -- - -. The size of carrot seed ir 7/64 inch) produced 5~,;and 3C;; lower zrield respectively. The =u_rcee.ana-ra_4% _qf-Li_t.ro~ec 'nd an influence or: the anour. L of tiyburr. ir. head lettuce; urea caused an increase vhereas mor!im r.i.trate and sulphate of amonia produced a mch lower icciderice of this physiological disease. Lates up to 90 lbs. I~/A also produced considerably more tipburned heads than 120 and 180 lbs. .:/,',

-rost -- -- I!arvest------Fhy_siologyStudies. - - .- - -- -Lhion -- - - .dryin1 . is ~iLd.1~done by leavinc the crop in tJ-e field to dr:~ before moang it into storaye. ?or several gears, eqerinents have shown that artificial dryin!? with heat speeds u~ the curing 1-rocess, and elindnates the weather hazards. A conventional air-cooled storene equi~pedwith automatic verkilatior controls and heat car. be used to heat dl-J freshly harvested onions in 25 bushel pallet 'mxes. A heat source of at least 15 3tu per ft3 sFace is recormended to rraintairi 90'3. r'ar, caracity should be large enouzh to sup~1.v1.5 cfr, 1 er ft~'7 space. ;,_t_toOrrage.et_r~~&with onions-. -. showed that several of our recomrrendec? cul- tivars brill kee~re~arkab1:r well during twelve ~.onthsurder emiron-- xental conditions of 33O3 and 72$ 7s. To be able to do this, onions must be treated with 30.6 raleic hydrazide when 5C,= of the tops are down and still yeen. r"~hree t;~es of storages were tested wit11 three carrot cultivars. It seeps that all the cultivars do not react the same to the storage envirorment or treatments with Benlate. In general there was niore rot but less weight loss in the jacketed storage than in cocmon or cold storage. i;ecomcndations- - - - . - .-. - . - - for --. ... . -1775--i?e-~~i!_rc&~ .- -. . ' The Comittee enuorses the present research pogrars for mck crcps. 2resent Frogrms should continue Farticularly in thc area 03 pest- ar.d disease control, herbicides and stora2e envir~~ents.

The Cornittee r*ccrr-erds t'lat a smut and ragcot trial or- onior,~be corducted ir. 5.2 'I hedford-Crand BeriC I-arshes in tke li;;M. of the everience in th2 Lsain$or, area ir 1374 then oce of the recomer.ded naterials was inefiective. There is a need to investigate prcper ~,esti- cide rates to be used for silverskin onions arxi other pickling t-~es.

The Cormittee recor?n.enc!s that ~esticideresidues, ir, articular the llerbicide Linuron, be mo~itoredin the Bradford arid Grand ijend areas. It is feared that ~ontir~uousa~plicatiol~s of this herbicide or: c~rrots and potatoes is having ar- effect on the powth of onions ir, rctatior with tl-,ese crops.

"he Cotrlttee recomerds that n stJudy be initiateu 50 evaluate the ef "ctivecess of t1.e preser,tly recornended adulticjd cs ,"o:- onion lnaggot (parathion-diazinor:, 6ibron, ~alat5ior.). Thie imr? car be dorie ir. the labcratcr:~.

The onion cultivar zcreerinp trials f'oz- rr'usariur rot ehoul:.l be cortimed in the Fort Colborre r:arshes. L?tir...atel:r the cu1tivar.s recoc~enriedin I~lblJcat,ior.i3h3 will 'ns listed as to their ~usce~:tiSilit:rto ~hsariur rot as ,coop as the rcsul-t.s are available. The Comittee recornens that the Storage Fro ject tern ccntir,ue Wit!i it,s investigations into storage r.robler?.s. 'rowers shoulci rLakebetter use of the t echnologg adequately docmented for vegetable stora~e. I\'o new research work 5s required exce~tfor further studies into the fact that not all cultivars react the same to the stora,;e enviromen-L.

?he reasons for an increase in storage rots in bulk onion stora~es should be investigated. The effect of fungicidal 1wif:mts should be studied.

Theri? is a ~roblerr,with re~istrat~ionof pesticides or. rinor cro;:~s, e.3. elldive, oriental croFs etc. ihe Comittee recomencis t5at a stuey be made of ~esticidesrequired for these crops with the objec- tive that registrations be obtained so that recormendations to growers can be made.

Priorities for Research: ------.r--* ------Carrots-- ,,1 Continue research cri i~ust--hot and Horizontal crackin-. problems in carrots. ,'2 Continue studies or. carrot weevil an2 carrot rust fl:.?.

-%ions .- ,,'lContirue research on onion masgot control ,'2 2esearch on storaye rots. ,:3 Linuron residues in soil.

-Le_tt>~e 1 Collect residue data on ino or salad crops, 2. ;. , er-dive, escarole, cos lettuce, leaf lettuce ard Fursue ths rsgis- tratio~of pesticides or- these crops.

-C -eleq ,,1 Contime ~t,uiiizson carrot weevil and carrot rust KL;r. ,i'2 Cearch for new caterinls for control of a~l~itis,locper ari, leafhop~er.

I,e~olutior,s: - -. - - -.-- . - . .. The Corritt ee passed the i'cllovd.ng resolutions at aie brcual 1.eeti: 1: cri Decenber qth, 1974.

1. Lesolved that cpce again a Flea be made, as in 1?73, regardirz the critical state of icsulated contairers for overseas shi~~iry0: oniors. 3%corres~ondence of a :rear ayo should be activated copies to the F:on. .h.A. Ztewart, 1,Lnister of Agriculture ad 3002, and the !Ion. Eugene :helm, Unister of Agriculture.

2. iiesolved that data be collected or, residues of pesticides for regis- t~ationon rirLor crops ami that a study be c;ade on the safe re-entry ~zriocifor tke various cher;.icalt used on c.uck crops.

Ilatthew Vaik, P.Ag., Chairr-.a., Ontario I uck Crops Zomittee Ueccrber 16, 1774 E. 14. ib.. Twenty cul- -Onion- - -Variety-- Tr>-g_~~-- H_7_4, bibbe, , Valk, tiva1-s were tested in a replicated trial of three rows 12 feet long, seeded 1ka.r 3. Cornparin; the last five yearts data, the averaqe nwnber of days to maturity increased by four days this year. ?his was due to a rather late spriug and a cool smer with adequate rainfall. The average yield increased by 61; compared to the five year previous aver- age. Autumn Spice, Rocket and Explorer 9 were the earliest r.aturing cul- tivars with 108 days; next were: Prospector, Eluckmaster, Trapp's ~8, and Tra~ps 26, with 115 days. Highest scoring cultivars were 1:uckmaster and Trappcs <8. Yields varied r"rorr 761 bags/acre (Autumn hpice) to 1122 bags/acre (Prospector). (1 uck hesearch Statiori, I!olland Irarsh, iZ.R.$l, Kettleby, Ontario)

-Screen% --- .---..-Oniori -Cultivars -.--. - --- for-- &sariurn------resistance.-- --- Valk, 1:. Gabelnan, .;.H. Thirty three selections of University of iJisconsin onion hybrids were tested in a severely infested field with k'usarium basal rot in the Port Colborne Larsh.

cv r'usario is well adapted to Ontario soil and climatic conditions. It was free from F'usarium basal rot, bulbs were rather dee~in the ground. Eight other unnamed selections were also free from basal rot. Ltandarci cultivars grown in the Port Colborne 1-arsh - e.g.: Pronto 2, Sunburst are ol'ten affected by lhsarim. basal rot in excess of 56,; of the total yield. These hisconsin hybrids are a valuable contribution to the search for a solution of the problen. (Luck Research Station, Holland Pyarsh, il.R.:;'l, Kettleby, Ontario).

----Sweet aanish- Cnion--..---- Variety- -Trial.- Valk, 1:. , Knibbe, Z. I.. Thirty regular Sweet Lpanish and Sranish type cultivars were cornpared as trans~lantedand direct seeded cro~s. The transplants were seeded in the greenhouse on karch 26 and trans~lmteato the field on Lay 23. The direct seeded crop was so-m, on I'ay 3. The cold spring and slow growin'; season delayed the maturing of many of the cultivars in this trial. Harvesting date - Oct. 2. The most outstanding selections were:

Cima (~eystone) Fiesta (stokes) Onion Sweet (~arris) Chieftain S~anishBeauty

The total yield of cv. Cima was 1947 bags per acre (l?' and up), direct seeded. (1,:uck Research Station, Holland Karsh, R. R .#I, Kettleby, Ontario) . :;west Z~nish-&l_on-&l_tihar ?-ri& Mucalov, K. , Collin, G .k! . fightee7sweet spanish onion cultivars were evaluated for bulb production. jeeds were sown in greenhouse flats February 18-20. On 1:ay 10, plants were set in a Caledon sandy loam in 20 ft long single-row plots (3 feet betwem rows and 4" between ~lar;t,swithin the row), replicated 4 times. 500 lb/A of 10-2C-?C fertilizer was broadcast and on June 18 a sidedressing of 10C lb/A of I;03Mi4 was applied. Liquid cyanamid and CIPC was syrayod alternately at 2-week intervals and two light cultivations were used for weed control. Two irrizations of 111 each were applied during very hot ar.d dry weather in July and Augst. Onions were harvested on October 9. Tearless cultivar was best yielder, followed by Riverside (standard cul- tivar) with attractive wdfom bulbs of good size. Fiybrid Fiesta had I-Aghest average weight of large bulbs (0.7G lb). Ailsa Craig produced Tany twin bulbs of flattened sha~e. Cultivar Early Lw. Spanish failed to size. Results of this trial are shown in the following table. ------.--- ..------Yield of Four Replications Large Piedim 5nall Yld. of 2 7/&11 dia. 2 1/4lt-2 7/81? Emaller than Large Seed and over diameter 2 1/4lt dia. Onior:s Cult ivar'.t Source k Wt 2 54 t # kt cwt/t. ------.------. ------Tearless 1 E2.7a Riverside Zweet Zpani s11 2 74.6a Ringmaster white 1 66. lab Yellow Lw.Spanish 3 63.8b Hybrid Fiesta 2 59.lb Perront s Giant Valencia 4 5C. 5bc Jhite "w.Lpanish 1 47.1~ Chieftain 2 47 .Oc Sw. :pa;. Las himas Yellow 5 37.6cd Fiesta (~ybrid) 2 32.6d Sw.Span.U?'AH Strain Yellow 5 3l.6d Sw.Span.Valencia 1 29.9d b;hite Sw. S~anish Jwnbo 5 27.0d Ew. Lpan .Yellow Colorado 7;'6 6 23.90: Ailsa Craig 1 23.9d Perront s Hybrid Fiesta 4 l9.3e Rin,gmaster Yellow 1 15.5e ~ariySw.Spanish 1 L l.lf L .6 48 3.7 2 ------.. ------.--A ------.------Seed Sources are as follows: 1-Dominion Seed House, 2-Stokes, j-Hards, 4-Perron, 5-lorthrup King & Co, 6-~e~stone. +*Cultivarsare listed in order of best yield of la~geonions with a diameter of 2 7/8~and over. Significant differences in yield are indicated by sub- script letters following the yield of large onions. (Horticultural Experkent Ltation, ~imcoe). V.iri. -.-I'.uck - . .-Crop- .- ---.-Trials of Onions-.------. and. ----Babx --Carrots. .-. - - Ruttall, Yields of hard, yellow storage onions tested under grower nianagerzent in the Point Pelee I-arsh surpassed the best yield frorr any variety in the three previous seasons. In 56-pound ba~s/~,the top h cvs in the repli- cated trials were burrmit (1.642), liarvestnore (1545), Iiorthern Oak (1527), Tra~r's;,2 (12?0), Trappr s I,!, (125~)and Lustang 613 (11?2). Autwm "pice, Lile ::!,andnril for earliness produced ?01 bnp. haturity was concentrated duc to extended droucht and comparatively warm weather. bunburst and Trapp's ,ja' / scored best for overall apFearance and neck cure. Propising observati.ori varieties, yield-wise, were Bronze Ase, Gambler arid 2uper Elite.

during 12 months of storage at 33OF and 72;; R.H., 8 of the 12 1973 cultivars kept rerrarkably well. ?-anging fror 92 to E~O,;marketable on October &,1374, in descending order, were Korthern Oak, Rocket, Buccaneer, Trapprs ,/6, Gntaric L, Autumn Lpice, Lpartan Banner and &porter. These onions were treated with 30% maleic hydrazide in August 1973 when 50;; of the tops were dom, but still green.

A spriny crop of baby carrots in Point Pelee fhrsh was seeded on iLay 1.6 at the rates of ~IAI~(~C),n~lt(~~), a~dlf~n(l~~ seeds per square foot). They were harvested on July 25 with the centre 10 feet and 4 rows of the 12-foot, &row beds used for yield data. 'Tops were first sheared off close to the crown with a law. mower. coots were graded into baby size (1/2" to 7/61!) and into under and over sizes. hsterdam Coreless Forcing I1Att rate yielded 7.1 ?/A, nBfI 8.9 and "Ctl 6.7 tons; lini Pak "Aft 7.3, IIB" 7.9 and 7.5 tons; Little Finger ItAIl 4.7, iIBI1 7.C and I1C1t 2.e tons per acre.

Ar, iiu,nst 2 seeding of the sane varieties and the same rates was severely dama,qed by ur,umally strong 3rcur.d frosts on September 2.3 and October 2, eliininaticg any cha~ceof reliably estimating a harvest date. Research with baby carrctr; rerits ccr.tinued investi~ation,e~phasizing precision seeding, populaticr densities, possibly solid-bed planting, new varieties ar.d succession crop1:irig. (bgiculture Canada, Ilesearch Etation, Harrow, ario. 13:012 1GC) .

Dabscarrot--- --.--.-- Varietj ---- Trials. Valk, Ill., Knibbe, E. K. kuch interest coctinues to be shown by processors in baby carrots. Grower interest in this crop is increasing. ?or this crop to be commerci-ally feasible requires irproved harvesting equipment capable of harvesting solid bed pla~tedcroFs. 7 his experiment was desizned to study baby carrots sown in solid beds. 7ec cultivars were seeded on June 4 in rows 3 inches apart with a wide sboe Planet Jr. seeder to airdate I1broadcast!v seeding. Seeding rate was adjusted to obtain a desired ~lantpopulation of 72 ~lants per square foot. The actual plant densit:r obtained was 5C plants (square foot). Xoots were harvested August 20-36. Carrots were graded into two sizes: (A) - Itbabytv size: 1/2 - 3/4 inch diameter, 1 1/2 - 3 inches long; ad (n) - Itfinger" size: 3/4 - 7/8 inch diameter, 3 - 5 inches long. cv Little rYnger received the highest score for uniformity, short tops, crowns, shape etc. It produced 20 T/A tlbabylvsize carrots. Kext in line were: hsterdam 1inicore (16 T/A); hsterdam Form. (15 T/A) and Coreless h.sterdam (15 T/A). Amsterdam PAnicor received top marks fcr color. 2 hj 5 cultivar produced an additional 1C T;/A of ''fingern sized roots. Hoots were lye peeled and ~rocessedinto ti~sand glass jars by the Horti- cultural Products Laboratory, Vineland 2tatiori. Processor and consumer com.ents were: Best color in order of preference: ilrr.sterdan lAnicor, Coreless hsterdm, hsterdam Zoram and Little Finger. Best uniformity of size and shape in order of preference: Little Finger, h,sterdm, Eorarr, hsterdar?. linicor and Amsterdam Coreless.

An observation trial with eight cultivars were seeded in a sirrilar r2anrer as the replicated trial above. 'The most promising seiections in thjs trial were: Lweetheart (23.5 'T/A); Fianta (17 l/~);Arnsterdmse (16 T/A) and hsterdan I..inicore (2~T/A). (1:uck Hesearch Station, Holland Narsh, ;i.YL.l, Kettleby, Ontario).

habearrot------fiernonstration ------Trial. Ihehmer, J. K., Ingratta, 2. J., and loKzek, E. The three cultivars Baby Finger, heetheart anti hnny uite were seeded in a commercial carrot field in the Grand Bend narsh on i ay 18. A Planet Junior seeder was eqloyed to produce three planting densities for each cultivar. beed plate holes if4, 5 and 6 were used for Baby Finger, :[5, 5 and 7 for Sweetheart and #6, 7 and 8 for 3unny Bite. Sour rows per 4P bed were ~lanted. On August 5 plant tops were rerr.oved with a Bradley 722 forage harvester and the roots were theri lifted by a horerade digger developed for pickling onions. Only the highest aensity plantings were harvested since all other ~opulationswere too sparse to produce adequate yields. Recorded yields were 3.8, 11.1 7.4 I/,\ Tor Baby r'inger, Sweetheart and Bmy Bite respectively. rlurther tests >,it? plant spacing and varieties should be continued since processor interest is evident. Yields can be increased by solid bed plarking since thz harvester used was capable of handling this tse of system. (RCAY 01"A? Hidgetown and London).

------Carrot VarietzTrials--- -- .1974.---- bibbe, h.h., Valk, I<. Twenty cultivars were tested in a replicated trial of three rows, 12 feet long, seeded Iiay 21. Three cultivars were processing types. Yield data were taken at regular intervals beginning on Eeptember 12 until October 17. The earliest maturing cultivar was an unnamed IdLchigan Ltate University rusty root resistat fresh market type (872 x 5931) 5988. Lext in line were: Xipak ELite, Klondike hantes, Carousel, Lpartan Delite, Carluck, Spartan Fancy and Hipack. The average yield increased by 23,; between first and last harvesting dates. hcess soil moisture affected the mot length of all cultivars. Ihe 1or.gest was ~~SOA~V.);ext cme Spartan Uelite, :.partar Zancy, Grenadier, Packmaster and Eipack. IIiyhast yieldicg cultivar was Lpartan Bonus, a processing type with 15C2 marketable bushels per acre, followed by cv. GI958 t,ith 1410 bushels/acre, also a processing type. cv. Iiipak Elite received the highest overall score with a vield of 1124 bus/acre; next were: 916OkJ 1C67 bus./acre; Spartan Delite 1034 bus/acre; Grenadier 991 bus/acre; Hipack 1170 bus/acre. (~hckResearch Station, Lolland E'arsh, R.R. 171, Kettleby, Ontario). -Bre ediin~ f o-r- j~sist-~-c e to 1eat' bli2h.t-s, ru~tgrozt-a&d.@ri zo ntal --crachir~'_~i_n - -c.ar~ot_s, Baker, L.d., Valk, 1. Thirty five ;rowers cooperat cd in a comnercial trial with seventeen l..S.U. hirbrids in the .?radford nrlJ Uis- trict marshes. Zeveral breeding lines have been devdoped which ar? resis- tant to rusty root over the four years of testinp. These lines were derived fron. several types and pedigrees: ISU 598P - I~antestyge; 1\2U 591'7 -- packagin,: t:rpe; f:SU 1322 - processin: t,;~e; IISU 13C2 and 1304 - slqip~er t;~es. Three experimental hybrids in the comnercial trial are sufficiently tested to be released shortly. They are crosses of breeding lires which have shown consistent tolerarxe to the rusty root and horizor-tal crackin; udisordersMutilizing the 5988 line. They are (5931 x 5985) 5986; (5931 x 600~)598k - Iantes tmes and (872 x 5931) 5988 hantes-hanvers t;~e. One hundred and i'ifty-five inbreds and hybrids were -bested on a severely infested rusty root area on the farrn of the Luck Research Station, Iiollanu 1.-arsh. Twenty six hybrids were included in a sirrxilar observation trial. There is no doubt that considerable progress has been made regarciinz the resistance and/or tolerance to foliar blights, rusty root =d horizortal cracking with these screening trials. Selection against these diseases and fldisorderslt will be continued as long as growers fira the results acceptable and continue to increase their denlam for seed. (~.uck1-esearch Ltation, Holland harsh, H.R.&l, Kettleby, Ontario arid Uepartnent of Eorti culture, Iichigan State University, East Lansing, Icichigan, U.b .A. ) .

--Lettuce- - ysmTrials -1974. Iini'nbe, 3.&., Valk, 1.1. 5went;- head lettuce cultivars were tested four times during the groidnz season. The lirst was seeded in he zreenhouse on April 3, transplanted into soil blocks and trans~lancedto the field Lay 14. lhe second was direct seeded on April 30, third on June 3 and fourth or July 4th. The n;ost outstamling cultivar for quality was Eiinetto, although it :!o?s not r&e good size, particularly in cold seasons. The top five cultivars were: 1. Portage - a fiat head type, fast growing, good tolerace to tip~urc and bottom rot. 2. Ithaca - excellent in early season, slightly affected by bottor.. ~~otin tiid- season. 3. dairton - good size, ratures somewhat unevenl;r, affected by bot'ior? rot. 4. ~'ulton- matures more evenly than Fairton, also susceptible to Sotton rot - a stacdard cultivar in the Bradford area. 5. liriilake - very good early variety, slight susceptibility to tipourc in xriid- season. Other varieties worth noting were: Lpartan Lakes, good tolerance to bottor rot, slightly susceptible to tipburr, in rid-season; llesa 659 anti 1-esa 469 for late season only. (huck Research ;tation, Holland Larsh, H.h. ,,l, Kettleby, Ontario). la-. Celery Variety --Trials ------1974.-.- Knibbe, E.Iv., Valk, Eighteen cultivars were tramplanted from the greenhouse on Iiay 17 and harvested August 2 to 13. cv Tall Green Light was the only cultivar which developed a i'ew seed stalks, although weather conditions were favourable for this condition. 'The earliest maturing cultivars were Calmario and Elorida 663~. They pro- duced the highest trimmed yield for the processing market, however the stalks were too short for fresh market purFoses. The best early market types were: &I26 (~arris), Utah 52-7C-213 (Keystone) and $3036 ($erry Yorse) . ihe later maturing cultivars were : i,'8190 err^ ~~orse),Utall 52-7C;-213 (keystone), Florida 2-13 (~eptone), trh25 (Harris), 1,'P30 (liarris). iwenty-three cultivars were transplanted from the greenhouse on July 2. Farvesting dates were taken between Lept. 11 and Lept. 3C. Calmrio aEd Zlorida 683 again produced the highest trimmed yield, but r'lorida 683 cannot be reconmended lor fresh narket because of the short stalks. ?he best five cultivars in this late season trial were: Junebelle (Keystone), ,:el% (?erry horse), Elorida 2-14 (Keystone), ,; Ii30 (~arris), and ir'3036 (i'errj- horse). 5 third direct seeded trial was ~lantedon 1~'ay8, harvested Sept. 3C. lwenty-three cultivars were placed into storage. Storage qua lit:^ data will be available early in 1975. (~.uckiiesearch Ltation, Hollad IIarsh, ~I.H.T:~, Kettleby, Ontario).

Yhhiw, SI;L. p~oduce------rusty -root- --ir! ---- nuck-grow, ------carrots in Onta~i_o, htton,- J. C. ~~st>root has been widespread and severe in muck-irowr, carrots for several years. In 1972, the OWtC decided that rusty root should be given top priority in vegetable disease research. There was r-uch controversy regarding the cause of the disorder which becme the subject of the prese~tinvesti@ion. The rusty-root incitaxt was shom to be a living agent, greater than 3 ylr and smaller than 53 )un in size, and capable of spread in sterilized soil. Because it was found that rusty root was controlled effectively in pot-grown carrots by the furgi- toxicants Dexon, PP 395 and thiram, but not by several other fungitoxi- cants, oonycetous funji were corsidered as the possible cause. Several species of -pYthim were reccvered f rcrr affected roots arid sbown to be capable of producirig rusty root ir. carrots. These i~cludedP. coloratx, -P. - irregulare, P. sulcatum, P. ~iotylunand P. rarillatum. (~epart- ment of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ario. ) .

-Carrot-- -.--- rust2 - --root - problem. - --- Kenp, bi.G., Bar;-, L). whim -sulcatuni---- implicated by some in the root-2orkir:g anu browning of muck- Zrowrl carrots (rusty root disease) was isolated (~arr)riot only fro~ rack soils froxr. the Bradford 1 arsh but also fron other ruck soils ir, Ontario and Guebec where the disease is unkriown. Curren~tests indioate that i?hhiiz s&L&$,JE does iriducc! sore root necrosis in seedlirL:; carroLs. pared in

Coffin, r.. l'.ora;ecke, --liust. ------hoot or" Carrots--.- Gateral - - root.. -- .- diebacu,-- - -- , I. L. The nost serious carrot protiuctior~pro'olep of the 3radi'ord-Lollanri harshes is the ~he~omenonknov& as rust:? root (lateral root dieback). It nanii'ests itself in mny Tomis all of which reduces the ciarketabilit:~of a .ziven crop of carrots. There are man;. explanations as to what rusty roct is, rargicg from being a reactior! to over generous quantities of various chenicals to strains of fungal root orgariisrr,s called ~ythiur.. itegardless 01 what nay be the causal agent, it was found a couple of ;rears azo that seeding carrots to ar: optinmi stand of approximately 1-1/2 inches betwesr~ plants, using a Stanhag precision seeder, greatly lowered the incidence 02 urnarketable carrots. The mere fact that carrots grown without conpetitive pla~tstress somehow escaped serious inroads of rusty root greatly improved the carrot production situation. Yet the answers as to why this seedinz metiiod worked remains a n:rstery. This year an intensive study was set up to find answers to why precision seeding made carrot ,grohir,g better. Va?iables included highly infected soil, different varieties m-d various methods and rates of seeding. The preliminary results indicate that 1) varieties do irdeed play a part but resistance may be due to inherent vigcr of varieties as mch as to any particular disease resistance; 2) precision seeded carrots cm in fact recover frorLlateral root dw.age nore easily than staxdard seeded carrots resulting in r.ore miforr~., mar- ketable carrots; 3) hitherto unknowr, was the fact that all carrots, re:;ard- less of how they are sesdea or bred, suffer from sporadic attacks on the feeder roots and that the ~o~~inationof varieties and methods of seeding, to a larze measure, will detemAne the severity or permnee of darrage due to such attacks. Arther studies will be conducted to probe deeper into this problem. (2epartment 01 Horticultural Science, University 02 Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

f ar, P. -.-Ef e---.----c t of Zinc-.--. d -Fknza-i2essee.- on the -i.neccip-e_r!ce,of hor i zo&.a.--L es io s --in -.--...-carrots. -- is,I .. %n and I.h, as chelate~,were applied to the soil previous to seeding on three growerst farms in the Iiollar~dI-larsh. ;,hen the carrots were six inches ir, height and again 3 weeks later, a foliar spray was a~pliedwith the sare chelated raterials. At harvest tine, the carrots were washed, and examined, for horizontal lesions and culls (forked, split etc). The 1973 and 1974 results were as follows:

----Yield ;.----- Llushels/acre Horlings Gasko--- -- Klic Zn & Pn Check 1973------. ------. Zn & 1.n ---- -Check ------.---Zn Er -- 1.h---- Check-.-- %a1 Yld. 1575 16-F-- - 1102 1139 1566 1596 Lesions 125 239 102 229 77 i76 Culls 171 236 149 14-4 222 2G9 There was a much more marked reduction in lesions in 1173 than in 1974. Only the Zn treatment of Frantzern shows a significant reduction in les- ions due to treatrnent in 1974. In 1973 the results show sipificant reductiors ir, every instance, where a treatment was applied. (3epart- rent of Land Eesource tcience, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

--Carrot - --- Viruses..-- Eecp, id.C., he of the two viruses isolated fro~:carrots with ~renatureleaf chlorosis and s~ottingin 1973 b-as see~ identified as cucumber mosaic virus. It has previouslp been unre~~orteii in carrots in Ontario. The other, still unidentified is a flexucus rod about 770 ur;. in length with a thekal inactivation point of 5G°C. It appears to be distinct frorr. celery mosaic virus although this possibi1it;- cannot be ruled out as yet. Ihis virus was again detected and is~lateu from cornercial carrot crops in the Bradford and Port Colborne Earshes u in 1974. (Agriculture Canada, Research Ctation, Vineland :;tation, Ont. )

Evaluation of rh~icideson an 85r.dexed11spr&~~ro~ram for_c?_r~& ------. ------A- -folia,eklii.nt control. I,aitland, A.L., Valk, IL. The effectiveness 01' combinations of i'ungicides applied accordiq to an %naexll Frogran for controlli~gAlternaria and Cercospora foliage blight of carrots was evalu- ated. ?he cultivar Spartan Lweet, which is susceptible to i'oliage blight, was seeded on Ka:r 22nd, usirq, a Flanet Junior planter. 'ertilizei- ana herbicide and insecticide applications were done according to standard recormendations for comnercial carrot production. rXn~icidesar,d rates used ware as indicated in table 2. A small plot sprayer developing about 50-60 p. s.i. was used for appl;ring the fuRgicides. The equivalent of about 75 gallons per acre was applied. r'ungicides were a~pliedon July 24th, Ihqust 15th, 21st and 29th and or, ~epternber10th. +rays were tired acccrding to an assumed infection severity index based or, relative hurriaityr, moisture and temperature. There were four rqlicatioris of each treatrr,erit in a randomized complete block design.

?oliage blight frorLnatural infections was assessed, using the improved Horsf all and Barratt grading syst err. for rzeasuring plant diseases. r'orty leaves taken randomly fron twenty plants in the centre two of four robis for each treatnent constituted a sample for blight assessment. hmples were taken on August 21st, 29th, September lGth, 19th and on October 9th. Alternaria and Cercospora were not assessed se~arateljr. iiesults are su~m~arizedin table 1. Treatments Aug.21 llug.29 Sept.16 Lept.19 Oct.9 Lean - all date:;

6.1 b e.9 bc 6.5 bc 10.7 d 7.C b 1C.C bc 6.2 bc 11.9 cd 6.0 b 7.9 c 5.5 c 13.8 bca e.6 b 1C.7 b 6.7 b 14.3 bc 6.1 b e.8 bc 5.7 bc 13.6 bcd 7.3 b 16.0 b 6.5 bc 15.7 b 8.3 D 10.8 b 5.7 b 13.3 bcd 11.1 a 13.9 a E.1 a 15.9 a

------.------. . .- -- .- . . ------Values follo~ledby similar letters are r!ot significartly different. (Dwcanls 1 ultiple rar.ge test; 5;; level) 1. Treatnerts indicated in Table 2.

-.------.-. ------. -. . - - -.------.-.-. ------Table--- -2 Treatmnts ~a~erialsSSSm-~-Iiates ~er acre 1 Bay Dam 11q54 - 3/4 lb-.-'-- 2 Bav DmL18654 - 3/4 lb. -L 3ravo 7.2F - 24 f1.c~. 3 Bay i)m 18654 - 3/4 lb. + Bravo 7.23 --24 f1.o~. + Xtharie 1.45 - 3 lbs. 4 Bravo 7.2F - 24 fl.02. 5 dravo 7.2F - 24 fl.02. + 3ithane 1545 - 3 lbs. h Hthane 1'45 - 3 lbs. 7 Uithme F45 - 3 lbs. t Bay liam 1t?/;54 - 3/4 lb.

8- -- - . -. ------.- ..Check -.------. - -- -. -- -. ---.- T&ticultural -eriment Station, Sirrcoe, ChtarioT

-Reduct -- --ioc - ---- of E'un~isidgusa@ _or, Ve&eta_b_1I-CCrops by 2chhe_duling Sprays

--a-accordine _to--wm&her ddata. Cillespie, T. J., Sutton, J.C., Langenberg, ,,. J. Carrot leafblights, caused by the fungi &_ter_nna_riri_8dauci and Cercospora -Carotae -.-.- -. vary in severity frorr ;rear to yea? largely depending on the i~fluence of weather. Levere blight does not usually apFear until ~3.d-August or later. This late season developpent of blight weakens the foliage, such that rech- anical harvesters leave ~uchof the crop in the ground. This is especiall:: the case if blighted foliage is further weakened by frost.

Carrot loss due to severe blight was exm5ned on a corm.ercial carrot field in the Bradford Ilarsh, in the fall of 1974, and showed the following re-- sults: Carrot plots grow, at the Ontario Idnistr:: of Agriculture and Zood, 1-uck Research Ltation Bradford, in the 1974 season were given either co fu~gi- cidal sprays, weekly sprays or sprays on a reduced schedule. GE the re- duced sFray progrm, the decision to spr?.y was baseci OK controlled emir- onnental studies along with microclimate and blight data gathered in 1972 and 1973. Or1 October e, the following data were obtained for a hizhly susceptible carrot cultivar :

hone Weekly Fungicide t, kLed by weather ------.--- --.----.------The data shows that h sl;rays applied, tired by weather co~ditions,controlled blight better than weekly sprays.

vilat are the economic losses inflicted by blizht and how nuch will the far- mer save in terns of dollars if they were to follow the reducec spray progrm? Frorr observations of the disease development at our p&ots at the l,.uck itesearch Ltation and the harvest operations on a commercial carrot field, we four~rithat as a result of a reduced spray program, percentage of blight reduced r'rorr 16.6/6 to 11.8; and the mount of loss (carrots left ir. the field) from 3.5; to 3.G16. This will result in an *creased yield of 14 bushels or G16.CO per acre. hith the reduced spray Frogram, the reduc- tion in the umber of sprays was 5. This will save the grower an additional 416.00 per acre.

-Conclusion: - ----.- --- For rr.axirrurr. effect and to avoid waste, I'ungicidal sprays must be applied at critical stages in the disease developrent, depending on the weather conditions. (~e~artmentof Land Resource Science acd department of Environne~tal Biology, 0. A. C ., University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

--Feasibilit~f ------utilizing ------the sterile male-- ap~roach------for onion r.a;;,:ot --control. .- IxEwen, F.L., Harris, C.Ji., Svec, P. J., Tolman, J., iiitcey,C. Prelin-inary studies initiated in 1971 and done in both the laboratory ana the field have indicated that it may be ~ossibleto utilize the sterile male a~proachfor controlling the onion maggot. In 1974, the eass rearing technique for or,ion maggot was improved and productiox over a period GI 7 months was increased to 1,00C,OCG pupae per month. Studies were also initiated to determine the feasibility of utilizing a chemosterilant, rather than radiation, to induce sterilization, with ~romisingresults. However, pupae produced in 1973 were sterilized by radiation utilizind a cobalt source. A small marsh, the Keswick F:arsh, c~ntair~ingapproxhately 2GC acres of onions was utilized for the release proera. Over ~,CGC,CGC sterilized flies were released coincident to emergence of first m,d second generation adults in the field. Plant damage assessments icdicated verv little dama2e to onions in tke experinental area, although onion r.aggot dmage was high in control plots in the nearby Bradford marsh. Atterrpts to collect eggs in the experkental area were made with only li~itea success. Percent, hatch was 22.4; contrasti~gwith a r~ormalfield hatch averaging t?~:5. (~epartmentof Environnental Bioloar, University of Guelph and Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, London, ~ntario).

.l'icro lot, studies. .--. - pn- -.--. control -of - .. the.- .carrot .-- --- weevil-- - .1 -Listronotus - -. .-... oregonensis Kecontel attacki.carrcta ard celery_grown ir. orqanic soils. - .- . - -- -.------.- ----.- . . .. - . - --.. - , ----.- -. - .- .. - -. --- .. !.!arris. C.3.. Svec, H.J. Since restrictions were placed on the use of Dm, the carrot weevil has been a probler of minor -hportance in Ontario and of major importance in G'uebec. Studies conducted over several ;Jean both in the laboratory and the field have indicated that several insecti- cides show promise. I!owever, tirrAng of spray applications is critical. In 1974, erphasis was placed on rr-ethod, timing, and nwber of applicatiom usin2 the 3 most ~rornisinginsecticides, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos arid tetrachlorvinphos. Ap~earanceof the adults in the field was Froven diff'i- cult to predict with any degree of accuracy. Also adults survive ar:d lay eg,?s over an extended period. Single ap~licationsof ari insecticide tined to the approximate tim.e of adult ~Agratiocinto the field have not pro- vided adequate control in previous studies. These results were confirmed again in 1974 wben single a,pplications of carbofuran, chlorppifos, and tetrachlorvinphos tined to the appearance of the adults, and applied at 2 lbs. A~/acredid not provids adequate control. Three a~plicationseach of 2 lbs. A~/acreof carbofurm and chlorpyrifos -t carrot oil gave excel- lent control, while 3 applications of t etrachlorviapiios and chlorpyrif os alcne at 2 lbs. ~1/acreprovided adequate control. Zxcellent protectior. was obtained with carbofuran granular a~pliedat 2 lbs. k~/acrein the furrow at seeaicg.

Carrot weevil alsc 3mages celery acd a prelirinary study indicated that only the carbcfurari at 1/&lbs. ~1/acrea1,~lied in a planting water treatment was effective. However, this treatnerd, caused ~hytotoxicitp in the early stages of plant development. (~esearchIrLstitute, kgri- cul tur3 Car-acja, London, 0r;t ario) .

-hOhITi'O,UhG------the carrot-- . ------rust fljr- to-- -tine----- sms. Ltevenson, A.b. Hesults of the nonitoring program for carrot rust fl;r in the Iiolland I-arsh again showed that a substantial reduction in the amount of insecticide required can be achieved by trapping adults in certain locatiom tc tine sprays against the 2nd generation. In an unsprayed plot rraintained to study the seasonal development of the rust fly, 2Ld generation adults were present for about 2 months, a period during which at least 7 sprap would be applied. On 4 plots of at least 6.1 acre, which growers sprayed only when trapping catches indicated it was required, C, 0, 1 and 2 spra:is were recommended. ?he first two growers, however, a~plied1 spray each in error or anxiety. Rust fly damage in the plots at harvest was 3, 5, 0.4 and 6.8$ respectively, but all of the damage was very light and caused an insignif icarit crop loss. p pi culture Canada, Iiesearch Station, Vineland Station, Ontario). ---CA:U1CCT ----- weevil --- in - -the -- Holland------.- bhrsh.- --- Ltevenson, A.B. i'ield studies on the seasonal developrr,ent of the carrot weevil in the Rolland harsh showed that adult weevils were present in carrot fields by I.ay 10. They began laflng eggs in transplanted second-year carrots and celery transplants about 1-.ay 24 and inseedling carrots early in June (usually not before the 2cd true leaf stage). The peak of att,ack on seconu-par carrot

In the laboratory, lab-reared adults did not lay eggs at 2C°C if day length was 14 hours or less. However, overwintered field adults laid eggs at day lengths as short as 12 hours. Adults overwintered in the insectary and placed at 2C°C in spring and exposed to a changing day length corresponding to the natural began to oviposit at 13$ hour asp- light, which occurred rnore than 1 nonth before the earliest eggs were laid in the field. (kpiculture Canada, Research Station, Vinelard Station, Ontario).

--COLTROL ------of carrot rust-- :c_l-an_d- _c_dar

five weekly sprays of carbofuran, 1 Ib. ai/acre, gave 95,; control of 2nd generation carrot rust fly damage ir, plots 3 rows x 401, while parathior. and diaziron at curreritly recomended rates gave 4C.7 and 34/d control respectively. (~gricultureCanada, hesearch Station, Vineland Station, Ontario).

----COLTEOL of - --.onion - rna~ot, - -IIjrleoya -. antis>- {k:&ar,d - ---onion- - - smut Urocptis c egulae r~rost ) by seed and &rar-ular treatnent s ------. --..- - - - . -- -. ---.------.- -- -. ~d~inFtor., L.V., !'chrer,, r'.L., Kelly, C.B., Bruin, G.C.A. The currently registered pesticides were applied at the hck Research Station near Ikadfora, Ont. and on two growers fields in the Lemington mck area. Plots were repli- cated 4 times in an RCB design. The chemicals perfomed similarly at the three l~cations. ?he raLe:; 11:;cd werc: thosc ~~ecunwcncietl,~eriarally 1 111. ai irl:;eci;icjde/acre I'or sin~leshoe and l .5 11,s. Tor sl:lit :;hoe. 'lh~1.0:;:; ill starid for untreat,?ci checks was 3C to 56,. ,mu rr,a.?@ot~0tu1t:i were six-ilar. iJestici:ies ra~ketiin terr~sol stnr.d cour:t aid effective contrcl of mazgots ware: ethion-thirar (:- :i.th thirgm or with Pro-Gro seed treatmerit (3) j Dyf'or~zte-thiran G with thirar-. L";' Lasariit-thiran G with thirar;. LT - Car'ociuran G with Fro-Cro 5'2 > Birlar*e G with Fro-Gro ST. airlane was ineffective at Lez.li-&or-, - out gave verj7 good control 02 naggot at the iiollanti I.arsh. Smut averaged 79,: of wtreated plants and 52 ad&7$ in the ;.;rosjers iield usin3 ciasa~it-thirmwith thiran C? and diazinon G hitn thfrar: L.T respectivel~. ;$here Pro-C-ro atas used as a 2: the average fiwber 02 plai;s infected was 2&, where thirac; G plus thirarr. 3 was used the ,; ir!i"ecA;ed was 39;6 arLd winere thiramCI plus a Pro-Gro ST was enp1o:red only 13;; of plants were diseased. Yield response war, correlated closel;.r with prevention of stand loss and co~trolof naggot k5th hion on thiram G conbined with thirar or Pro-Gro seed treatnlent giving the highest yields. ilere agein Birlane ~1.otswere verj; high yielding at Holland Larsh. (Uepartnent of Lnvirorxental Biolo~;:, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

YIELD reduction of lettuce in 3radlorc mck soil infested with -. -.------. .------.-..- -.-. ------~ - ---.----northern root... ----knot ----.-- ne~atode. . .- Potter, J.ii., Olthol, Th.H. A. Lettuce cv FernJake were grown tc narket size in clay-tile ~icroplotsfilled with northern root-knot fiexatode-i~fested Lradford rr.uck soil. Rematode-free soil for check plots rias prepared by air-drang. Average losses in weicht of marketable lettuce heads were 32$, 465, 54,; and 55,; respectively at preplant densities of 3CG, 2500, 15WC and 27GOC nenatode larvae/liter of soil. Lettuce roots were heavily galled at all pre~lantnematode densities: however final soil larval populatio~swere less than i~itialdensities. (Lesearch Ctafion, Ayriculture Canada, Virlelarid Litatior;., Ontario).

------CLLh.lY xxosaic------virus - in Ontario-.--- - Kemp, ;r.G. A virus isolated from stunted celery plar,ts with vein c1earir.g and leaf mottling has been identi- Lied as celery mosaic virus, a merr.bell of the Potyvirus group. It has hitherto been unreported in Canada. The virus caused significant yield reduction ir- the celery cultivars, Utah 52-70, Utah 15, Greenlight, stokest Golden Plume arid Cornell 619, but not in Slowbolt, Lmer Pascal or 3alt Lake. Purified virus fron; Ontario celery reacted with antiserwr, to aK authentic celery mosaic virus isolate from Britain. (iiesearch Station, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Ltation, Chtario).

1IL;SECTICIDEHesidues- - .- - ---Holland ------1:arsh.- Eiiles, J.IL.YS., Harris, C.3. knalpes for insecticide residues in farrr, soil and the water of the !;ollar.d I:arsh have been conducted to assess the ecvironmental impact of insecticide usage in the narsh. Averap residues found in the soil oi 13 farm were - total UDT 2E.9 parts per nillion; ethion 4.4 Fpmj dieldrin 1.3; parathion 0.5 - chlorpyrifos, diazinon, ddrin and VC13, all 6.1 ppm, with traces of er;:lrin, lindane, hey tnchlor, hertachlor epo;:itP c, c.hlc\rda~?ethi.o.h, chlo1.f envinphos, fonf os, and leptopho:;. The wei$-tts01 insecticiclcs transferred from t11c narsh have Seer; c,dculated by corr,birlinr: the tor!- centrat,ion found, with the mour,t of wter pumped. 7hi.s data is ;liver! jn ?able 1. liei,:l-it:; t,ran:jfer~*eciwere lower in 1973 than in 1972 Sccause of' the combined cl'fect of lower concer:trntion:; and less pnpir,:. 1rt:iectA- cillc :v:iidues in J.'? :;;I :'rc~:l cool:^ Ihy continue at, a very low I evel.. Total UJi' corlcentratio~~r,were 0.5 ~pl:or Ie;;:.;, ant1 dieldri.11 6.C2 ppm or lass jn perch, rock bass, ywnykir:seeci ami suck~r.

-- lverage concer?tratio~in -m?er kJouds per week ~u~eci out of the narsh

1?73 'i'otd b2T C, .117 dialdi5~ C . C2:5 C. G3C. iiazirior C .3C9 C .lk? ethion 6.623 0.~3~ parathior: 0. C24 G.CO; . - - ---.-- -- .------(?,-;riculture Car-ada, Lor1 ior, ~htario)

.LL.~~LCT1-.7-- 1'. ------of seek3ize LC pr~.i?:,atio.nand :rielti of----. carrots. -- Valk, , nioe, . The seed of an ur.r.ame5 cultivar I.:. 2 .T!. (5?31 3: SCCC) 13C2 was sized as follows: 1) <4/44: 2) 4/54 - 5/41+: 3) 5/44 - /./854; 4) 5/64 - 7/64; 5)>7/54

The seed ViaE sown evenl;? spaced in 1C foot rows, replicated six times on Lay 23. Observations on emergence were ~adeafter 3 weeks. The nediw, size seed (5/54 - A/&) prociuced the highest percentage of healthy ~l~ts (52.6,;). The smallest and largest seeds produced the lowest nw!ber cf healthy plants (24;; anci 31.4,; res~ectively). 'ihe highest yield was also produced by the ritedim size seeds. '.he reciuction in j6eld with the stxllest; seeus ancur,ted Lo approxir: ?..'idly 56,;. The largest seeiis protiucec approxir.at1 3~,;lcwer yield. (I...uck iiesearch Z'tation, tIolland I~~arsh, 2. it.iil, Kettleby, Ontario).

--dl' - -CC~ -..- 2f-i a~lybdeqL pn_ ybie&dand-~~uality- _ofieeaatic; le~tt~c~e~. .. illi s, A.L. Lodim mo1:~bdate was applied as a seed treatmnt to raw lettuce seed. Cultivar - Ithaca. Leave; vere analyzed for 1-0 at various stages 0:: crowth fror two patches ~lanteciat difi'erer.t dates. Outside leaves were taker: for leaf analysis frorr srall plar;ts, ard wrapper leaves Iror all others. June 2C July- 5 July 5 Ju1y 1j 1st r,lant ir.:; 1st ylarltir.,-; 2nti ~lar,tin,y 2nci larking

-. ---. . ( I:). (~a~.t.tu~~c1- lar~t,:: ) (.small- -. . . @art- z ) _(raturc.. - yl-.ants) . .-. -.-

..Cl.,cc:c p! ar:Ls 2re cor,sistectl:~1c:rer ir. 1.0 the~treateu plants. Uptake 0,' i. ?, f.L % ~~ea.t,estwhen 1-1ar.t~are md1. k'ield and clualit:.~ 0.;' lettuce was rat ai'lected by treatmerit excer t that better zerrr,inat,ion resulted f ror, trea'ied seeci. 1.0 difference ir: dap tc riaturitjr due to treatme~t. (~ept. of Lard 1,esource Zcience, Uriversity of Guelph, G.uelyn, O~tario).

dIhP;C7.- . . .. _:;eediw -. - _ . 1 ellete,: lettuce se~di~tc, soil Xoc!.:; xi subsec_uer,< wat erir.2 and shadir!; treatre1.t~. Cultivar - Ithnca. T;;o t;,~osoP -oil Slccks rade ::it,h ruck were use(:. a) Fanli pressed: holc cqth 1-11: ixh, 2 x 2 i~ch;i?we+,er. b) Autorratic machine yressei;: ho1.e depth inch, 1,' x 1: inch diareter. Ar'ter lacing the ~elle'ied seed in!;o the soil blocli hola on April 4, the f ollowir;~t,reat,ment r, were applied : 1. Keq cool anci shad?:! Por., cnc wee!:. 2. Light, wat2ri.n~ac2 full sw.li.;h'i. 3. E'ay er cover or.11.. !+.L erricc3.: t 6 ccvcr orly. -5. ;:o cover, nc 1,qateri.r.i;. ,. eather corditior,s : A~ril-5, cloud;;; :.~.~-il.<,, surr::r, 'orig?,t, : ii~ril7, cloud:,^; ?rer,yence April C.

Jest. re:iult,s were cbtai,.r.ed frcr t.l;e ~:1~il.l0:5ihole soil 'dockc, no ccver, r,o watcrir;:- (lCC,o Aerc;ir.at,ion). I oct rai is-; gerrdl:atiorL was obtair eC ikon thc ver~icul.i.teccvered blocks. rhadix:: the block:; uKr!er- cool cor.ditior.s sio~:edriow. ,:errir;atior.. Zic porest results were oj'uai~ecifror t". blocks with the deep holes which werie watered at seedin: t,i re (27,; ;arcir,ation). The bezt yisld of r:arketablc: heads ;:a:+ cbtair,c(l fror: the s!-.a.llov: hole soil blocks, which were left a1or.e ai'ter seedicg (PO cove:., ro sk.ade, PO hlateric:;). (1,uck i,esearch rtation, iiol1ar.c; I xzh, -,.i~.,,l, IkttlcSy, Cntario) . i;U1 ,LID.',Cor,t ent of_IjzairLai;e fTOT Crga+c :..oil?. l.Ailler,I-.E - . -.- -.- r;~t,>r ., Tl~er.ut~ierit co~ter~t of tile cirainaye tinter from four sit'e:, iri t e hieau I arsh ?:as beer. measured ciuring 1972 anci 1773. ';he corcentratic:: of :utrieni. s F a?-ticularl;~nitrate - ritroger ad soluile orthoyhos~k~atevaried ;ddel;r l-,hroughcut tye ;rear. In ~enerd.,the cor,centrati~nswere hi2hest in Lhe s~rir;~wher: the ~ajor~ortio:~ of t5e drairia~eoccurei, :.;ere lower during the swrar months and increased a;:air: ir: the fall. ;lather large quantitie:: are beirc lost ir. the draina~ewater. The iraina.ye water fron theseh sites exceeded the accepted safe level c;f rjitrate-nitrogen (1G m;; I':C?-1. per litre) for livestock in almost every sqle. Yhe loss oi' pi?os~,horusis of concern f ron the ~ollutionstar& oint. 7 he average loss of soluble orthophosphat e was well above the C.l mg/l level which hill cause z;ice:.c,,ive elgae growth. The value ir: terns of plant nutrient.- of the i.,, I', ar,ti ?< lost fro^ the four sites averaze $~c.cO per acre at toda~~si'ertilizer ~rices. Based on research conducted at 3ratiford, Cktario, fertilizer rzes, particular1:- phos~;:orus and potassium ir, the Drieau 1- a:-sh cculu be redccea ciras ticdly without irrir:airin~l~ielci an2 quai.ity of the cmp. (LeI:artrert of iaci iiesource :.cience, VniversiLy 0;' Guely:?, kelph, Cr!t eric).

bef~re;.~?tt,uce, herice Paracuat l.:las r.ct vwy: effective. ;?Lots xere hnti wecded anci lettuce tninned to a 12 inch :;t,u;d or. Jme 12. Elants were quite larp at; that the ar.d some ciu-3,:;e ;ias cione -kc, tile roots resultiri~ ir: a delay j1: natu~ity. iFechmical rotovation ~25necessary to eli!lir;ate rerninirg heeds; this also reduced zro:...th ar,d ~ieid. ;,eei;ing ariu thirrLin; cost i;lC,;.CC per acre. (check). Ire~adex5 ai - ;air tc 2oou weed control, slig1;t clarrage, 2~,;reduction in na,L :;eedir:g cost (.,?l .c.c). Vegadex 8 ai - slight1;- better weeci control - L;e-Jer? clar~:asa. CIX 4 ai - i'air weed CCri- trcl, poor barnyard grass co~trol,LC CX,~cice~e, 2G,? reduction i~ weeciing cost. CIX 5 ai - good +;eed cortrol e;xept zr.is::es, nc crcF uarriage, i-ii~nes', yiel.d, 4G,i retiuctior; in seeding ccjni (14.~~). Vegauex & ai + CIFC 2 ai - Foor gash and broadlea? we& control, crop cima,ne r.:.aciium - lcrrest yield - no re:!ucticc ir; hand weedir,g cost. Paraquat 2. ai sose weed coritrol - rc crop daraf;e, 2~,;recuction of weedin2 cost. Vegadax over 5 lb~.ai is too tlarL;;e;.cuz to use; CI2C is a ;ood herbicid'2 as lone as grasses are r~ota proulen,. i'araquat siiould be used if' seeiiizz ir: c!ela;.red after lard re para ti or^ (stde sced bed t,echxique). (hck l!eswirc;l ::tation, Holland ?:arsh, F-.L., 1, Kettleby, ~htaric). ?hi3 wca;her at b a:-ve.-;t was. . sunr:- 2r .i ,!r;-, t,>:rs t? e o;:!-or.:; -.v;;::-e 1: al-v->~-ke.l ur-der 5:ieal corciitior.;, o21rq; lo-;: ir. ~cri.sl,~::-e2r12 ?I-W o; ri::;eace. Lj.t;

r. -CAr',:,cTr, - - -stora~e- trials. it,5, 4, 1. ~nl-eecaTrot cud- tivars, P.antes, Hipak and Spartan Dzlight were used il. iAlz carrot stora;e trials. Lm~lesof carrots, left unwashed, mshed a.11~ was he^ ar.a ,:i~ped ir, deritate (1.~~b/l~(j cal. lic~.)were store^ in a refri,;eratsu co! c ,tor'tije, and in a ccmon storage. I., s~lit-qlit lot analy-sis G,' varix,cz ria GOI e or&t,:~e data for percerlt weil;ht loss ark !,srcent rot.

This analysis indicated that all the cultivars did pot peact the sz.3 to the storage environment or to the treatrmlts. In ger.ara1, there rias less weight loss but more r1ot in the jacketed storage. hacl,ir,:; aypeareci to increase the anount oi' rot in tvio of -;he tkree cultivars. uippir,: ir. Bedate did not reduce the =our;t oi ~otbelow ihst fourid ir, the wiarashec, sar~les. ().:orticultural rlesearch kstitute 01 ktario, Vineland Ltation, ktario). F-74 ONTAEIO CRUCIFER CROPS RESEARCH COi:II.:ITrTCI;

A. LougI~ton,Chairman, 1I.R. I .O. , Vineland Station C.11. Collin, I1.L.S. Simcoe (to MOV. 1974) 1.1. Valk, Muck Research Station, Bradford 11. Tiessen, Dept. of IIort. Science, University of Guclpb I. d . Ihans, Dc>j,t-. of T'nvironmcntal ::iology, Univcrs i ty of Cue l.pt1 ( to Ju1 y 1'174 ) A .A. Reyes, Agriculture Canad,?, Vineland Station 1'. 1,. Jarlrlcs Agz~iculturcCanada, Flarrow I?. E . Slnj th, 1lor.t. Products Lab. , Vineland Station Y.J. Rochcleau, ?ork Farms, 3rantford (representing the Ontario Food Processors1 Association) D.1;. McDonald, 206 Food Terminal, Toronto (representing Ontario "tabaga Council) ::.C. NcIntosh, Soils and Crops Eranch, OPAF, Milton (from Sept. ln74) ;;. T. Barry, Crower , F.. R. ?2, Stouff ville

The vacancy caused when Dr. Evans left Guelph has not yet been formally filled, but it is hoped to include another virologist on the committee this winter. Frank Ingratta had temporarily been the representative of the Extension Iiorti- culturists until Ted McIntosh was appointed to the Yilton office.

Croi, Values in Ontario

Broccoli $100,000 (estimated) Lkussels Sprouts $200,000 (estimated) Cabbage $3,537,000 Cauliflower $1,801,000 Radish $1,130,000 Kutahagas $3,841,000 (Figures taken from the Annual Summary of Fruit and Vegetable Production in Ontario, published by O.M.A.F., May 1374)

------Professional Man-Years- in Research------on Crucifer Cro~.in- -- Ontario --

A. By Agency

------. -. ------Agriculture Canada I uaof Guelph O.Y.A.F. Iiarrow Vineland Simcoe Vineland Bradford Other Total Branches I 0.60 1.15 1.52 0.15 0.70 0. n5 0.10 4.27

(nino~innuts also at Aprj culturc f'anarla London and ';mi thfie ll)

. 1 v Eiscinline ------.. . -- * Breeding E Crop Post Harvest Cultivar Testing Protection Management Pliysiology Total

0.44 3.03 0.50 0.30 4.27

(compiled Feb. 1974) --COMMITTEC ACTIVITIES The Committee held a program planning meeting on 19 March 1974.

Cabbage Storage

rollowing discussion at the 0 .V.R.C. meeting in January 1974, the committee was asked to submit a stronger brief concerning con- tinued research in storage of cabbage at the Horticultural Products Laboratory, Vineland. This brief urged, inter alia, evaluation of fungicides for controlling storage rots on cabbageand also residue tests on these materials. Such work necessitates cooperation between storage physiologists and plant pathologists. During the year, this recommendation was submitted to the parent committees and appropriate research managers. The recommendation was accepted by them and such work will now continue, with cooperation from HPL and Agriculture Canada, Vineland.

Rutabaga Viruses

In July 1974, Dr. I. Evans left the University of Guelph and the program of work for which he was responsible, on viruses of rutabagas, was suspended. At this time, it is the feeling of the Department of Environmental Biology at Guelph that further work on rutabaga viruses would be academic and that no further work of an applied nature is justified. Dr. Evans' research produced two practical results of value to rutabaga growers, 1. Carry-over of virus from one year to the next may occur in cull-piles, unharvested roots and volunteer stecklings. If these sources are controlled, a serious potential hazard is eliminated. 2. Rape is not a host for the overwintering rutabaga viruses. There are some unanswered quest- ions relating to rutabaga viruses, but resumption of researcli on this subject is unlikely in the immediate future. --Rutabaga Variety Trials- Limited work has been done by the Department of Horticultural Science, Guelph, but efforts to have such trials located on commercial farms have been largely unsuccessful. There is real need for such trials with this crop on farms, and the assistance of the Extension Horticulturist will be sought again in 1975.

The Committee net again on 11 December, 1974 to discuss trends in the industry, to review the year's research program, to draw up priorities and to formulate this report. -----TRENDS 1I.J TIlE CRUCIIXR------CROPS INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO broccoli - interest in this crop is certainly increasing, to supply both the fresh market and processors (freezing). It has a very promising future.

Rrussels - unlike broccoli, this other minor cole crop is not expand- Sprouts ing in production. Contributing factors to this stagnation are: high labour demand, expensive and heavy machinery if labour is to be replaced, very stringent requirements for raw product quality and standard of trimming demanded by the processors, limited market with no likelihood of great expansion (probably accentuated by high cost of consumer packs, whether fresh or frozen).

Cauli- - remaining steady, but the suggestion has been made that if flowers self-blanching types of cauliflower can be produced satis- factorily, the acreage may increase at the expense of cabbage. Because of labour costs in their plants, the processors still require large curds for pickling and freezing. Scheduled harvesting system urgently required.

Cabbage - crop acreage and value has increased substantially over the last two years. Ontario growers are, however, still un- decided about winter storage in view of large volume of imports from the U.S. The growers in this Province certainly have the ability to produce home-grown cabbage to substitute for these imports. They would welcome this opportunity, but at present are not prepared to take the risk of a high capital investment without some form of assured market protection.

- No obvious trends. Both crops are valuable export commodi- RutabagaRadish 1 ties, and this aspect could possibly be developed further, especially if "under-wax darkening" of rutabagas could ?x eliminated.

General - increasing popularity of -direct-- seeding provided that soil Trends and weather conditions are good.- Acce~tanceof -. hvtrid varieties in spite of more expensive seed. There is a potentially very valuable market outlet in supplying frest, produce to domestic home freezers. This could be particularly attractive for farm-gate sales, or even pick-your-own, with broccoli and cauliflowers. 1. Studies aimed at programmed production of cauliflowcrr,-- leadin&; to a mecl~anisedproduction system. This would involve a total systems appr>oach and integ~ateall factors of production and management, e.g. transplant in^ versus direct seeding, cultivars, planting date, seed size, spacing, irrigation.

The Committee recommends that consideration be given by Agriculture Canad? to having this work conducted at the Research Station, Harrow with supplementary trials at other locations coordinated from Harrow.

2. Maintain research in pest and disease control at least at its present level, paying particular attention to the need to reduce costs of pesticide application programs.

3. Continue studies on "under-wax darkening" of rutabagas. Control by the use of chlorine is promising andyatisfa~tor~completion of the work already in progress at HPL, Vineland is strongly recommended.

4. Continue studies on cabbage for winter- storage, including the storage characteristics of different cultivars, and the effectiveness of applications of fungicides in the field on the control of subsequent storage rots. F.esearch and extension workers should continue to encourage the supply of a larger proportion of the market's requirenents in the period Dec - i:ay with Qntario grown and stored cabbage. At the same time, however, some approach should he made to the Federal Government to seek their assurance that imports of fresh cabbage would be restricted during the period that Ontario stored cabbage would be placed on the market.

5. Maintenance and improvement of seedstocks-- --- of the rutabaga cultivar -Laurentian. The Ontario rutabaga industry is almost solely dependent on one seed source of one cultivar. The consequences of a failure of that supply would put a $4 million industry in jeopardy.

6. Cultivar testing program of crucifers should be maintained, with increased emphasis on rutabaga trials on commercial farms. Cooperation of extension horticulturists will be necessary for this.

The Committee endorses the continuation of the existing programs not referred to above.

One additional recornmendation which is more of a service nature rather than research is that the Economics Branch of OMAF he encouraged to collect data on acreage, production and farm value of broccoli and Brussels Sprouts for publication in their annual summary of fruit and vegetable production in Ontario. E-78

I;IJ?IF1AIIY OF RCSCAPCII ON Cl

1. Cultivar Test inr ------L, -I~roccoli. --- -- As 11 result of trials tliis year, thr, rccornrl~critlc~l cultiv,~rlist in Pu1,lication 3C3/1975 will I,(. ,~rr~cn(lctl,I.; Collows : - Remov~d: CXPI. Atlclcd : C,RI:I:N CO:?I"I anc1 ~OIJ'I"II:1'h' COFTT. A pronisin~ncw varietv is C,El;I'lJ' liOR!JET, but furtlier evaluation is necessary. -Brussels- sprouts. Results from 1973 arc presented herc. Trials for 1974 were not complete at the time of compilinc this report. In the recommended list for 1975, IIJDRA is removed; DAVEIIPORT and TOPGRADE are added. llany new hylzids from IIolland are being tested but further trials are necessary.

Calhage. As a result of last year's trials (1973), STARK- \;INTER will he added to the recommended list as a cultivar "for trial". In the late maturing group, Eastern Gallhead and r:vergreen Ballhead continue to be the outstandinp cul- tivars for storage.

-Cauliflowers.-- A wide range of cultivars, including many from IIolland and Denmark are being- tested for fresh market. European cultivars continue to be superior to North American ones, especially for curd protection. SESAIhill be removed from the recommended list for 1975, and the remaining'culti- vars will be listed in slightly revised order to give a more reliable maturity sequence.

Studies on effect.q of seed size on broccoli and cauliflowers showed generally poorer vields and delayed maturity with sr:iall size seed.

Doubling the plant population of broccoli from 23,000 to 44,000 plants per acre gave a 32?5 increase in yield, but treblinp the population to 63,000 (11 in x 9 in) gave a 50% reduction com- pared with the regular spacings.

With cauliflowers, close spacing gave later maturity and smaller heads, but the larger number of plants per acre produced sub- stantial increases in total marketable yield. The closest spac.ing gave the most concentrated maturity.

I'. comparison of transplanted and direct seeded cabbage for kraut sl~owedno differences in head size or qualit!].

3. Crop Protection

Cabbage root maggot and cabbage looper continue to be thc most serious crucifer pests and considerable research effort is expended on their control. kiith maggot in rutabagas, poor control was obtained using fensulfothion and carbofuran on the late crop, although carbofuran gave reasonable control with an early crop. Control with chlorfenvinphos in the early crop was not entirely satisfactory, 16% of roots being infested. Carbofuran also caused damage to red cabbage when applied in transplant water. fIew materials continue to be screened for possible insect control in crucifers, and some are promising. This includes trials on biological control measures.

A welcome innovation to vegetable pest control research was an initial evaluation of sprayers, nozzles, boom types etc. for control of cabbage looper. Also studied in these tests were tractor speed, pressure and presence of surfactants. It is hoped that this work may continue to permit positive recommendations to be made.

Studies continue on chemical control of the dark-sided cutxorm which might become a pest of crucifers.

Work on the possible use of Benomyl as a soil application for controlling Club Root has been terminated because of the high cost of tlie treatment. Some selective action of henomyl has been found on crucifer pests such as aphids and cabbage maggot, as well as the fungal pathogens causing blackleg and hsarium yellows. Presence of certain nematodes caused increased severity of Fusar- ium yellows on cabbage seedlings.

Various factors concerned with stored cabba~econtinue to be studied at Il.P.L., Vineland. A program of cultivar evaluation for suitability for storage is in progress and considerable data are beinp collected on this, in addition to those recorded in the field It is hoped that at the end of the present season's trial, all the data will be analysed for a three-year period. Generally, cabbage in jacketed storage lost less weight than those in cold storage but were inferior in all other quality aspects.

Problems encountered by commercial storage operators resultinr from mixed loads of caSlage and apples during winter 1973 - 74 stimulated a test on the effects of ethylene on leaf abscission in stored cabbage. Leaf abscission was more severe with higher storage temperatures, hut level of ethylene had little or no effect. These results conflict with those found elsewhere and it is possible that age of cabbage could be responsible for this difference.

Trials on control of storage rots by field application of funp,i- cides indicated greater variation in incidence of rot between cul- tivars than between fungicide treatments. The worlc is continuing. CULTIVAR TESTING

liroccoli 'Jariety Trial. Knibbe, L. li., V,dk, I.. :'ijcteen culti-~ars _ __ . ---- 1i:eyit ;:liyect seeded on June 6 and thinned to a sl;acir.c; cf ?2 x 12 irlches on Jul; 3, 1974. Tihe carliest cultivars, harvested on ?.~yp:;t1.2, i!ene: :;rave, Green Iiornet, Lq1.8 (Farris), 5~art)ani;ariy Y. (i;c~:~torie). CuLt.iva:- Crura

BROCCOLI variety trial. Muehmer, J.K. Unsized seed of twenty- eight cultivars were field-seeded on June 20, 1974 with 36" row spacing, hand thinned after 2 weeks to 16-18" between plants. Emergence was generally poor, due to improper seeder, lacking correct depth control. Yields reported represent 3 different cuts, starting September 1. The best yielding varieties in order of maturity were:

Variety -T/A Terminals and Plants Emergence

Gem 6.3 loose good Harris's Exp. Hyb.A 4.6 bluish, loose terminals, dwarf plant fair DeCicco 5.2 coarse, large plant fair Topper 5.3 coarse, green fair Bravo 5.1 excellent quality, very attractive v. poor Crusader 5.6 very uniform, bluish f. poor Morse's 4638 5.5 bluish, late medium Sakata's 818 8.0 light bluish, large, light poor Green Duke 5.0 unattractive

The dry late summer and autumn decreased the uniformity of plant growth, resulting in insufficient number of mature terminals at any one time for a simulated once-over harvest. (RCAT, Ridgetown)

EROCCOLI variety trial. Loughton, A. Main trial of 12 varietie;; x 4 reps; oh~crv~~tiontrial of 2 varieties x 1 rep. Direct seeder? 37 June in rows 19 in. apart. Tlsnts thinned to 15 in. apart in the roiJ. Only/ terminals recorded in a once-over harvest when the majority of plants of a variety were judged mature. ?he Lest varieties in onder oF raturity !.:ere:

P.v. ::t . of tcrlminals tons/acre c::s. ;'yI)rid i, (ihrris 29 11ug. 6.GG 10.3 Crecn C1o:iet 23 Aug. 5.15 -.>i' - Brdvo 29 Aug. 4.82 9.0 Green Ilornet 30 Aug. 4.55 8.2 Southern Comet 4 Sept. 5 .Q8 10.3

(;iorticul-tural iiesearch Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario). BROCCOLI variety trial. Metcalf, J.G. Elevenvarieties were tested for terminal head production on a once over harvest when the majority- of the plants of a variety were judged mature. The better varieties were:

Green Hornet Sept. 13 7.74 tonslacre Crusader Sept. 16 5.13 tonslacre Green Comet Sept. 9 5.05 tonslacre

(Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

BRUSSEL sprouts variety trial (1973). Metcalf, J.G. Twelve varieties were grown. Each variety was completely harvested onthe date when the highest yield of marketable sprouts could be realized. Parcifal- Nov. 19 - 7.9 marketable tonslacre, very little branching. Best looking sprouts in trial. Jade D- Nov. 7 - Highest yikld with 8.8 tonslacre, Sprouts remove easily from stem. Jade Cross- Oct. 5 - 6.8 marketable tonslacre. Harvested before optimum maturity. Five of the varieties namely Citadel, Vrosa, Peer Gynt, Top Grade and Top Score were harvested after December 1. These showed internal browning caused by freezing. Since this cannot be detected without cutting, these varieties would appear of questionable value in this area. (Agriculture Canada, Smi thfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

BRUSSELS sprouts, cultivar--- trial (1973). Loughton. A. Yain trial : 12 varieties x 4 replications. Observation trial 17 varieties (single plots). Direct seeded 20 June, thinned 17 July to a spacing of 21 in. x 21 in. Cach variety was harvested once-over, when the marketable yield was judged to have reached its maximum.

Best varieties in order of maturity were:- MAIN TRIAL

Jade Cross harvested 15 Oct. 4.25 marketable tons/acre Jade E I! 9 Nov. 7.31 marketable tons/acre

Topscore 11 22 Nov. 4.82 marketable tons/acre Peer Gynt 11 22 Nov. 4.38 marketable tons/acre Topgrade 11 13 Dec. 6.87 marketable tonsjacre Citadel 11 13 Dec. 5.83 marketable tons/acre

Promising varieties in the Observation Trial were:-

Davenport harvested 1 Nov. Multiline 11 13 Nov.

Quickline (I 13 Dec. Tabletop I I 13 Dec.

This trial was completed too late for results to appear in last year's report. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario). --1NJSSI':LS sprouts cultivnr trial 15174. Collin, (; .li. ant1 PI. >luc:ilov. 'Twelve cvs. x 4 rcps. Dircct sccdcd June 14; thinned July 9 to a spacin!: of 28 in. x 18 in. Lath cultivar was harvested once-over, wlicn tllc narkctablc yield was judged to have rcaclicd its maximu~i. The best varieties to give a scqucncc of liarvests wcrc : - Jade Cross liarvested Oct. 18 5.31 tons/acre Ijavcnport 1 v Oct. 18 4.10 . t I ' Quickline I I Oct. 29 3.59 Nu1 tilinc 11 NOV. 1 4.07 t I I, Topgradc !I hov. 1 3.57 (1:orticultural Lxperiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario).

L. ': :?I:%-: f'c,~: -Laulif - - - - -lower. . - - -Varie&;r- -- - -Trials. - - - Knibbe, i . , I'a! k, I . cultivar:; were direct seedeu cn June 6 arid thir~ieciLo a s~acir.;i;oi :2 x li." or, Jd.:.-3. Iialf cf the plantr were tied, except cv. :.el:' I)lnncbq ':,he ot,heiu ha1 t' was lei't urtie

Cu1tiva.r~i:crth notir.~were: (5etwee~ bracket.^ shoiir; averq;e cia;.:; i,~rntu;-i',;.), : (?i+ :2r2rl:.- -kcellmt . .. - . - Larly ASundmce dqrs), hper CnotkCLl. (€!A), ;.xt:-a. kowbnll 721 ) , ;*elf 31,u;che (9$) . I;erlr - Coo:: Veralto (?c), i r,nw Crom (81), Torina (92), . rLowbdL (l(.l.), -- d--'---- I ~:loo (1~7j , ?erf r:ct,ed FnowSall (16~)~Clon (99), :.r,ohcour d (??/ 1. . . , caq i'rozt, occurred or, :.e~ten5er24. Any of th~'culi-.ivsrs abcv-. r-oL ;la:vec-.i;:.: 0:: that (late sl-,c:~ed very li.i;tlt?I"ros-, iiar.al;e, althcu!;h yrow:[> ter; erat.~r+.-.:; rznchcd liOT;'. .,:-t.ra. ;;ari;.- ;;I ,o;:5d 1. :l.n(i \l era1tc produc ec! -the 1ar~e:;tr::xocr c:' r er;:e ., 2. )I. e h5acia ir, a o:-!ce cver l;arve:,t. !.uck 1:esearch I tatior,, L:.iL. ,.! , i!ct tic:;:-, ,?-.ta~ic.

CAULIELC\7ERS,variety trials. Loughton, A. Plain trial of 12 varieties ----- x 4 pepscations; observation trial 21 varieties (sin~leplots). Direct seeded 25 June in rows 30 in. apart. Thinned 19 July to 18 in. apart in the row. Leaves were NOT tied. The best varieties, to give a succession of maturity through the fall were: - Alert (mean cutting date 4 Sept . ) , Idol (15 Sept. 1, Raket (19 Sept.), Clou (30 Sept.), Self Blanche (10 Oct. ), Vinner (30 Oct. ). In the observation trial promising varieties were Eortados (16 se~t.1,Suprimax (23 Sept. ) , Delira (2 Oct . ) , Currawong (10 Oct . ) . (Ilorticultural Xesearcfi Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario.)

CAULIFLOWER variety trial 1974. Metcalf, J.G. Eleven varieties were tested in a replicated trial. Earliest lines were Driva and Alert which had an average cutting date of September 11 and 13 respectively. Alert had 93% marketable heads which was the highest in the trial. Clou gave the best color with 23% white and 70% cream. 86% of the heads were marketable with an average date of October 3. Self Blanche was also high on color with 18% white and 66% cream. Only 68% were marketable however with a date of October 11. (Agriculture Canada, Smithf ield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario). CABBAGE, late maturing varieties for storage 1973. Loughton, A. Twelve varieties x 4 replications, direct seeded 19 June in rows 30 in. apart. Thinned 17 July to 15 in. in the row. The best varieties, rated on field characteristics, in order of maturity:- Eastern Ballhead, harvested 22 Oct.: 43.6 tons/acre Evergreen Ballhead " 5 Nov.: 41.6 " I, Storage Green I, 8 Nov.: 36.1 " II Starkwinter I1 14 Nov.: 43.3 " II This trial was completed too late for results to appear in last year's report. (Hort. Res. Inst., Vineland Station, Ont.)

CROP MANAGEMENT

CABBAGE performance of field-seeded vs, transplants in 2 commercial fields. Muehmer, J.K. and Tomecek, E.J. In cooperation with 2 growers (John Litschko and Henry Schneider) and Libby, McNeill & Libby Co., size graded Sanibell seed was field drilled on June 14, 1974 with a Stanhay precision seeder at 5/8" depth and with a John Deere, 4 unit Flexi planter set at 314" and 1 1/4" depth with sugar beet plates using 40" row spacing and 12/32'' size seed. The 112 acre seeded trials were part of commercial plantings near Chatham on Beverly fine sandy loam.

On July 12, 1974 the balance of the fields were transplanted with seedlings established on June 11, 1974; while the seeded sections were thinned to equal stands. Common cultural practices were followed by both growers.

There was no significant difference between seeded or transplanted field sections in size nor quality for kraut when heads reached maturity. The heads established from seed matured 15 days before those from transplants. This confirms that field drilling of late cabbage for kraut should be undertaken 10-12 days after seeding for transplants. There was no marked difference between the seed planting depths, but the 518 to 3/4" depth appeared most desirable. (RCAT, Ridgetown) BROCCOLI, effect of seed size. Loughton, A. Seed of tliree sizes of three cultivarswas sown in a seedbed on 13 June, 1974. Transplants were lifted and planted in the field on 10 July, spacing 18 in. x 15 in. Terminals only were recorded. Two harvests were made: 29 Aug. and 4 Sept.

Seed size effects were more marked with cvs. Spartan Early and Creen Comet, than with Green Hornet. With the first two varieties, the smallest seed size (4.0 to 4.6 64 ths. inch) gave lower yields, smaller terminal size, and a later crop than the two larger seed sizes. There was no significant difference between the mean yields from the two largest seed sizes. (IIorticultural Fesearcl~ Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

CAULIFLOWERS, effect of seed size,--.-- 1973. Loughton, A. Seed of 4 sizes of 2 varieties was direct seeded on 20 June, 1973 in rows 30 in. apart; plants thinned to a theoretical spacing of 18 in. on 17 July. Germination was not good and in some plots of variety Snowball 219 there was no stand, particularly \/it11 the smallest size seed. This variety was abandoned.With variety Igloo, the stand was variable and a large proportion of plants had not matured :.?hen the experiment was terminated by wintry weather. Lfarketahle yield increased with increasing seed size. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

-CAULIFLOWERS, -- effect of seed--- size 1974. Loughton, A. Seed of two sizes of cvs. Idol, Clou and Snowball Y, and three sizes of Self Blanche was seeded in an outdoor seedbed on June 13. Transplants were planted in the field on July 10 at a spacing of 30 x 18 in. Regular harvesting was done as the heads natured. Leaves were not tied.

There were no consistent differences in yield, quality or maturity which could be attributed to seed size. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland Station, Ontario).

BROCCOLI spacing trial. Metcalf, J.G. Green Comet and Bravo were tested at regular (18" x 15"), double (13" x 11") and triple (11" x 9") spacing. This is equivalent to approximately 23, 44 and 63 thousand plants per acre. The double gave an increase of 32% while the triple gave a decrease of 50% in marketable yield over the regular spacing. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario). I CAULIFLOWER spacing trial 1974. Metcalf, J.G. The varieties Clou and Snowball Y were grown at spacings of 30 x 18, 20 x 14 and 16 x 11. This gives populations per acre of 11,616, 22,402, 35,640 plants. Closer spacings gave a later maturity (Oct. 10, 13, 17) and smaller heads (6.2, 5.9, 5.7 inches diameter). Although the closer spacings resulted in a reduction in % marketable (84, 72, 54) and smaller heads, the largernumber of plants resulted in an increase in crate yield of 29 and 36% respectively. While color decreased with closer spacing (81, 77, 78 cream or better) the crate yield of cream or better were still 23 and 31% above regular spacing. Concentration of maturity were similar at the 30 x 18 and 20 x 14 spacing. It was however considerably increased at the 16 x 11 spacing. % of marketable yield harvested at best day were 36, 37 and 59%. This would give increases in crates of marketable heads cream or better over regular spacing at best day of 26, 114% respectively. (Agriculture Canada, Smithfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, CONTROL of the cabbage maggot in rutabaga. McEwen, F.L., Ritcey, Gwen, McGraw, Rick. Rutabaga (variety Laurentian) were seeded on May 2 at the Cambridge ~esearch~taiion as plots for testing various materials for cabbage maggot control. Each plot consisted of 4 rows 50 feet long and each treatment was replicated 4 times. Treatments were applied on May 10 (just prior to plant emergence) in a 6-8 inch band over the row at the rate of 48 gallons of liquid per acre, The insecticides fensulfothlon, carbo- furan, chlorfenvinphos, Dyfonate, Dursban and AC 99876 were tested, each at the rate of 2 lbs/AI per acre. Plots were treated with TOK on June 17 for weed control and a second application of insecticide was made on July 10, the application procedure being the same as the first application on May 10. Twenty-five roots were selected at random from each plot on July 15 and rated as to maggot damage. Results showed that only carbofuran provided reasonable control with 6% of the roots being infested. In plots treated with chlorfenvin- phos, 16% of the roots were infested and in most other plots, infest- ation approached 50%. Seventy per cent of the plants in the check plots were damaged. A second seeding of rutabaga was done on June 26 to evaluate 2 insecticides against the root maggots in the late crop of turnips. In these plots, fensulfothion and carbofuran were used. The first treatment was applied on July 2 (just prior to emergence) with a second treatment applied on August 12. At harvest time (mid-October), 25 roots were removed from each plot and examined for maggot damage. Neither of the insecticides provided adequate control, there being greater than 50% damage in all plots. (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph).

CONTROL of insects on crucifers. McEwen, F.L., Ritcey, Gwen, McGraw, Rick. Four-row plots were seeded on July 26 with cabbage (pen; State Ballhead) and broccoli (Waltham 29). These plots received no treatments until September to permit an infest- ation of leaf-feeding caterpillars to become established. Plots were treated on September 5 and 12 with the two centre rows of the plots being treated. Counts were made on September 10 and 19. The insecticides Lannate, Monitor and Phosvel were tested on the cabbage plants and Bayer NTN, AC 99876 and AC 99662 were tested on the broccoli plots. Counts on September 10 indicated that a single application of Lannate or Monitor provided good contol of the cabbage looper and imported cabbage worm. Control of the diamond-back moth on cabbage was less satisfactory with these materials. In the broccoli plots, each of the 3 insecticides provided good control of the diamond-back moth and imported cabbage worm with AC 99876 and AC 99662 providing the best control of the imported cabbage worm. None of the materials provided adequate control of the cabbage looper. Counts made on September 19 following 2 applications of the insecticides indicated that Monitor was the best material for cabbage looper control, followed by Lannate and Phosvel, with the latter 2 materials being some- what less than satisfactory. Each of the 3 materials on cabbage provided good control of the imported cabbage worm, but Phosvel was not adequate for control of the diamond-back moth. In the broccoli plots, none of the materials provided adequate control of the cabbage looper, but all provided satisfactory control of the imported cabbage worm and diamond-back moth. (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph). CIiBJ3hG.i iviibGGiYl' control in cabbage. McClanahan, ll. J . Ten treatments, including all the Ontario recomendations, were evaluated for protection of early cabbage. All treatments resulted in very low maggot counts cornpered to the average 3.5 larvae per stem in the check plots. Promising new materials were Counter, CGF 2600 and CGA 12223. (Research Stat ion, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario).

CCNTKOL of loopers and cabbage worms on cauliflower, Brusselk sprouts and broccoli. McClanahan, R.J . Three treatnent s were ap?licd 5 times at weekly intervals in August and September. In order of increasing effectiveness against cabbage looper were Lannate at 0.5 lb, Phosvel at 0.75 lb and Phosvel at 1 lb. A11 were very effective against cabbageworm. Phosvel plots were free of thrips, larvae of the diamond-back moth, and only had a few aphids. Lannate plots had soy-.: thrips but no aphids. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario). -- . -- CABBAGE maggot control by transplant water treatments. McEwen, F.L., Ritcey, Gwen, McGraw, Rick. Red cabbage were trans- planted to the field on May 24 and the insecticides carbofuran, diazinon, Dursban and Dyfonate were used in the transplant water. Each plant received 4 ounces of liquid with the dosage rate of chemical designed to give 2 lbs/acre and 1 lb/acre active ingred- ient. Plants were examined for injury on June 10 and at that time injury was apparent following the treatments with carbofuran. Growth and characteristics of other plants were comparable to that of the check. In the carbofuran treatment, the red had been bleached from the foliage especially in those receiving 2 lbs/acre dosage rate. Plants recovered from this damage and were normal at harvest time. No infestation of cabbage maggot occurred in these plots and no information is available on the efficacy of treatments. (Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph). -. - -- VIRUSES, bacteria, and chemicals for control of the cabbage looper and cabbageworm on late cabbage. Jaques, R. P. Mixtures (rateslacre) of Dipel (0.25 lb.) or Thuricide (16 fl. 02.) with Galecron (0.25 lb.) or Fundal (0.25 Ib. ) were more effective against the cabbage looper than were the materials used alone at 2 or 4 times these rates in plot tests at Harrow. Mixtures of Thuricide (32 fl. 02.) and cabbage looper virus (113 rate) control led the looper better than did the bacterium or the virus used alone at the full rate. A new formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis, RHC601, reduced leaf and head damage as much as did Dipel or Thuricide but RHC601 had less effect on numbers of cabbage looper larvae. Reductions in numbers of the looper by application of a protozoan parasite were satisfactory but crop damage was higher than in plots sprayed with other biological insecticides. A preparation of cabbage looper virus propagated in cell culture had slightly less effect on populations of loopers than did virus obtained from virus-ki 11 ed insects. (Research Station, Canada Agriculture, Harrow, Ontario). SURVEY and Assessment of some of the Sprayers used for Control of Cabbage Loopers, Trichoplusia ni (Hbn. ) . Fisher, R.W. , A. Hikichi . A survey was made of 17 sprayers in 4 locations that varied from homemadk boom to commercial boom to airblast. No two sprayers had the same emission equipment. Eleven different nozzle types and seven different boom designs were used. The three airblast sprayers were from different manufacturers. Fluorescent dye tracer was used to assess coverage on the under surface of lateral leaves of cabbages. Growers used eight different chemicals in varying combinations and numbers of applications. Damage by loopers was recorded. Coverage ratings varied from 0.5 to 2.8 based on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is total coverage. Coverage was least where large orifices and low pressure were used. Parathion was not effective against loopers. The survey showed that application equipment, techniques, materials and timing were so variable that no usable pattern could be derived to form a basis for recommendations. (Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station, Ontario; Soils and Crops Branch, Simcoe Ontario).

COMPARISONS of the various spraying techniques with a Hydraulic Boom Sprayer used in the control of cabbage looper, TRICHOPLUSIA ni (Hbn). Fisher, R. W., A. Hikichi. In order to obtain reliable information on hydraulic boom sprayers, comparisons were made between 4 nozzle types, 2 driving speeds, 2 pressures, 2 nozzle placements and presence or absence of wetter-sticker, on 6 different Cole crops. Dipel at 2 lbs. per acre was used in all tests. Nozzle types in general decreased in control effectiveness as follows: full cone with drop arms, hollow cone with drop arms, flat fan with drop arms, flat fan without drops. Control was better at 2 m.p.h. than at 3 m.p.h. Coverage improved as pressure increased from 60 to 300 p.s.i. Control was better at 100 than at 60 p.s.i. Wetter-sticker improved coverage on the more waxy leaves. (Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Vineland Station, Ontario; Soils and Crops Branch, Simcoe, Ontario).

MICROPLOT studies on the effectiveness of three insecticides applied as pre- and post-planting treatments in controlling the darksided cutworm attacking direct-seeded cabbage. Harris, C.R., Svec, H.J. Chlorpyrifos, leptophos, and Stauffer N-2596 applied as preplanting broadcast applications at 1 lb. AI/acre provided excellent control of the darksided cutworm. As post-planting treatments chlorpyrifos and leptophos provided excellent control at 1 and 2 lbs. AIIacre respectively. Stauffer N-2596 was less effective when applied at 1 lb. A11acre indicating that a higher rate of application would be required. Generally leptophos and Stauffer N-2596 have been as effective as chlorpyrifos when used as preplanting treatments against cutworms, but less effective when used as post-planting treatments. This can probably be attributed to the fact that both materials are slower acting than chlorpyrifos. With preplanting treatments which are applied about 7 days prior to planting this is not a significant factor. However, with post-planting treatments, the slower action of the two insecticides will allow more cutworm damage before control is obtained. (Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, London, Ontario). EFFECT of benomyl on crucifer mstg. Reyes, A. A. aenomyl acted selectively on crucifer pests. At the rate of 0.28 g ai/177 cc/7-in pot of soil it controlled blackleg, Fusarium yellows, aphids, cabbage maggot, and mites but did not control Alternaria leaf spot, turnip mosaic virus, imported cabbageworm, loopers or nematodes. Earthworms were killed by ben- owl at a low rate of LJ &I77 cc/7-in pot of soil. (Agriculture Canada, ~iielandStation).

1;JTXRACTIOTJ between crucifer pathorens. aeyes, A. A. Interaction was observed between certain crucifer pathogens. The presence of either Iietorodera schachtii or Meloidomne hapla in the goii increased severity of Fusarium yollows on cabbage seedlings. No interaction was observed between -F. oxvsporum con lutinans and Pratylenchus netrans nor Plasmodiophora brassicae. r"-AgricultureCanada, Vinelard --zStation

POST HARVEST PHYSIOLOGY

EFFECTS of ethylene on leaf abscission in stored cabbage. Smith, R.B. Two cabbages of each of eleven cultivars were placed in eight small storage units in April. One-half of the storage units was held at O°C the rest ;t 3OC. These cabbages were treat- ed with ethylene at concentrations of 0, 3, 6 and 9 ppm for three weeks. The concentration of ethylene within each unit was deter- mined gas chromatographically. The samples were left within the treatment unit for a further three weeks after the ethylene treat- ment.

Samples of cabbage were stored with apples in a O0 and a 3OC unit during this same storage period. Average ethylene con- centrations in these units was 2.5 ppm at O°C and 5 ppm at 3OC. The degree of leaf abscission in the controls increased with increasing temperatures. The addition of ethylene at the three levels applied appeared to have little or no effect on increasing the incidence of leaf abscission over that of the con- trol at a corresponding temperature. A similar trend was observed when apples were used as a source of ethylene. These results follow a pattern similar to that observed in commercial storages in Ontario, but are different than results obtained by some investigators in the United States. The age of the cabbages used could be a factor responsible for this apparent variance in effects. (H.R.I.O., Vineland Station, Ontario). CABBAGE storage cultivar trials. Smith, R.B. and Cook, F.I. Eleven cabbage cultivars, direct seeded in June were harvested during a 10 day period In November. These cabbages were stored in a Jacketed cold storage (O°C and 98% R.H.) and a refrigerated cold storage (O°C and 95% R.H.) for five months. The samples were eval- uated for weight loss, external condition, color and flavor. In 1972, the samples in the jacketed storage lost less weight than those in the cold storage but were poorer in all other aspects used to measure quality. There was interaction between cultivar and storage thus further statistical analyses have to be done to determine the significance of the findings. In 1973, there was a similar trend but there was no interaction between cultivar and storage technique. (H.R.I.O., Vineland Station, Ontario). - -

STORED cabbage fungicide trials - 1973. Smith, R.B. The test cultivars were Excel, Storing Strain 4409 and Eastern Ballhead. Two field spray fungicides (Benlate and Thiabendazole) and one fumi- gant fungicide (~cetaldehyde)were evaluated for control of Botrytis spp. in a high humidity cold storage. The Benlate and the Thiabend- azole were applied at the rates of one and one half pounds per 100 gallons of water. The Acetaldehyde was applied at the rates of one and two percent of the atmosphere by volume of gas. The field sprays were applied either one week and again one day before storage or one day before storage only. The plants were sprayed to the run-off point. The cabbages which were fumigated were treated either one day and again one week after harvest or one day after harvest only. The funigant exposure time was two hours at 32OF. The quality of the cabbage was evaluated on May 17, 1974. A scale of 1 (good) to 10 (bad) was used for scoring.

All cabbages fumigated with acetaldehyde had various degrees of physical injury. Because of excessive breakdown, these samples were discarded after a few weeks. This data was not included in the analysis of variance. The statistical analysis indicated that the cultivar effect was greater than the fungicide effect. There was a significant difference in the amount of rot among cultivars but there were no significant differences among fungicides. Alternaria rot was not a problem in those cabbages which were field sprayed. (H.R.I.O., Vineland Station, Ontario). Rutabaga variety trial. Rieger, B.A. Eight samples of the variety Laurentian Purple Top (L.P.T.) from different seed sources and seven other Varieties were compared in a precision seeded, four replication randomized block experiment. The top five varieties (seed origin in parenthesis) were: Purple King (Dominion), Chignecto (J.E. Langille) L.P.T. (Maritime Co-op), Wilhelmsburger(J.E. Longille), Laurentian (Northrup, King & Co.) with yields of 44.7, 44.0, 42.4, 42.3 and 41.4 t/Ha respectively. The other varieties in order of decreasing yield were: L.P.T. (Sunset), L.P.T. (E.L. Eaton), L.P.T. (Steele 6 Briggs), Improved Long Island (Seedway), and American Purple Top (Northrup, King 6 Co) with yields from 38.6 to 35.6 t/Ha, while in the least yielding group with yields from 34.1 to 24.1 t/Ha were : L.P.T. (H.R. Klinck), American P.T. (Harris), L.P.T. (Harris) York (Sunset) and L.P.T. (Dominion). For smoothness and uniformity of the roots York proved to excell. The L.P.T. from seed source of MacDonald College (H.R. Klinck) seemed to be very susceptible to root nematode infection. (Department of Horticultural Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario).

HERBICIDE INVESTlGATlONS

1. Herbicide for field-seeded broccoli 2. Herbicide for broccoli transplants 3. Chemical weed control for cabbage transplants 4. Weed control in field-seeded cauliflower 5. Weed control in transplanted cauliflower by S. C. Phatak and W. J. Bouw (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe). Published in Research Report 1974 Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, pages 196 - 200.

TRIALS NOT REPORTED

At the time of compiling this report, harvesting was still in progress on the following trials at H.R.I.O., Vineland Station. (Loughton, A.).

1. Brussels Sprouts varieties, main trial 12 cvs. x 4 reps., observation trial 25 cvs. (single plots). 2. Brussels Sprouts, effect of seed site. 3 cvs. x 3 seed sizes x 4 reps. 3. Cabbage varieties for fall maturity and storage main trial B cvs. x 4 reps., observation trial 16 cvs. (single plots). ONTARIO ASPARAGUS COMMITTEE 1974

RESEARCH SUMMARY, ABSTRACTS AND FECOMMENDATIONS

Objective - To provide information on cultivars, cultural practices, and pesticides for asparagus.

Committee Members

H. Tiessen (Chairman) University of Guelph Gue lph R. Allan Canadian Canners Ltd. Hamilton R. Kerr Kerr Farms Ltd. Chatham K. Matthie Ont. Asparagus Growers Marketing Plan St. Catharines R. Chard O.M.A.F. Simcoe S. Phatak O.M.A.F., Research Station Simcoe R. Brown O.M.A.F., R.C.A.T. Ridge town A. ought on O.M.A.F., H.R.I.O. Vine land I. Nonnecke Dept. of Hort. Science, U. of G. Gue lph C. Waywell ~ept.of Hort. Science, U. of G. Gue lph w. Re11 R.R. #6 Simcoe A. Liptay Research Station, Agriculture Canada Harrow

Thirteen abstracts related to different areas of asparagus research were received. Six abstracts dealt with variety trials, variety develop- ment, cultural practices, post-harvest physiology, and chemical residues in plants, and 7 were concerned with weed control.

Varieties harvested in their 4th year of production indicated an unexpected reversal in rank for productivity. The two lowest yielding varieties in 1972 and 1973, ~imburgiaand Hybrid F1 gave the highest yields in 1974. This reversal may have been the result of recovering from severe rust infection in 1971 or the acclimatization of the variety to its environ- ment. There also appeared to be a general reduction of fern vigor as the cutting period was increased from 52 to 68 days. In another variety trial with the first full cutting season, the Selected Viking gave the highest yield of those grown from one year old transplants. In the 5th full harvest season of Selected Viking grown at different spacings the closest 17 x 17 inch spacing still outyielded the wider spacings without any apparent re- duction in spear size.

Controlled atmosphere studies with asparagus indicated that the most tender asparagus resulted when the spear butts were in water and the per cent 02-C02 was 5 to 10 atmospheres.

Studies with Methoxychlor residues from sprays of 3 lbs per acre were only 8.8 ppm 9 hours after application which is far below the tolerance level of 14 ppm, thus a 1 day harvest interval is adequate. The herbicide studies with pre- and post-emergence sprays for asparagus have resulted in the recommendation of paraquat on emerged weeds before crop emergence and chloramben as a pre-emergence to the next crop of weeds.

Recommendations

(a) The development of a variety for Ontario is still the most impor- tant single factor in the asparagus industry. There are variety trials at Harrow, Vineland, and Guelph that may disclose a more desirable variety. The growing of a better selection of Viking seed from an Improved Viking field will help upgrade the Viking strain planted. Also the planting of hand selected seed from Improved Viking plants should help improve the asparagus plantings. A commercial seedbed of Improved Viking is being planted at the Cambridge Research Station, through the co-operation of the Ontario Asparagus Growers Marketing Plan, and this should be a good source of commercial seed for the industry. This planting will be continually rouged to eliminate diseased and poor plants. Genetic material is being assembled at Guelph for variety development and improvement. Thus it is recommended that all variety trial and development programs be continued or implemented whenever possible.

(b) Herbicide studies are high on the priority list, especially those that can be used for direct seeding of asparagus. It is requested that these programs at Guelph, Simcoe, and Ridgetown be continued.

(c) It is recommended that investigations to study seeding depth, plant populations, direct seeding, cutting periods, etc., should be continued at Vineland, Harrow, and Guelph.

(dl The committee recommends that different asparaqus harvesters, both selective and non-selective types be assessed.

Recommendations to 0. V. R. C. for immediate consideration

(a) Initiate a study in harvesting and handling methods of asparagus, with special emphasis on spear trimming, grading, delivery, and in-plant hand- ling of the crop.

(b) Initiate studies in cultivation, soil compaction, and growth on different soil types.

Research Reports

Asparagus, variety testing and cutting-time durations. Nuttal, V.W. In their third harvest, begun May 1 for the 52, 60, and 68-day cuts and stopped July 8 for the longest harvest, the two lowest yielders in 1972 and 1973, Limburgia and Hybrids F1, gave the greatest yields in 1974. This unexpected reversal in rank for productivity may (a) reflect a complete recovery from the set-back caused by early fern-kill by rust in 1971 or (b) - per Dr. J.H. Ellison, Rutgers University - Limburgia and Hybrids F1 may be only now starting to show "superior adaptation to the area". An interaction between varieties and cutting durat5ons continues, but without clear-cut relationships.

Visual ratings were made for fern vigor, using scores of 1 is "weak", and 5 "strong". Mean scores for 9 plots of each variety, cutting durations disregarded, were not consistent with the 1974 nor the 3-year average yields. However, a trend toward loss of vigor was evident when the scores for the 11 cultivars were averaged, showing a fern vigor rating of 3.60 for the 52-day cutting duration, 3.36 for 60 days and 2.99 for 68 days. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO)

Asparagus varieties, 1971. Loughton, A. The 17 varieties were planted in 1971 at HRIO, Vineland. Harvesting of the trial started in 1974 from April 30 to June 18 (20 pickings) . Yields ranged from 0.15 tons to .92 tons per acre. The best 4 varieties grown from seeded transplants were Viking selected 1971, Viking Specially Selected 1969, 286F X 276 (Rutgers) and Exp. Hybrid 103 (Rutgers), with yields of 0.92, 0.90, 0.86, and 0.75 tons/acre respectively. The lowest yielding varieties were U.C. 66 and U.C. 72 with 0.34 and 0.15 tons per acre respectively.

Asparagus, spacing, 1974. Loughton, A. The fifth harvest was taken in 1974 from a trial planted in 1967. The fern was cut down in the late winter while the ground was still frozen. In the spring, areas of quack grass were treated with dalapon, a 10-10-10 fertilizer was applied for general weed con- trol (2 lbs. of commercial product per acre). After cutting, paraquat (2 quarts product) and diuron (2 lbs. product) were applied overall, plus ammonium nitrate at 300 lb/acre. A policy of no-cultivation has been maintained on this area since 1967. For the first four harvest years, all three varieties were harvested and recorded. Because of the rapidly declining yields of the two varieties from the Univ. of California (U.C. 66 and U.C. 72) these have now been abondoned. Recorded harvests were made in 1974 of selected Viking only. Harvesting in 1974 was from 30 April to 26 June (24 times) .

Spacing Plants Yield* Av. Wt. of* in. Per (tons per spears (g) acre acre)

*Within each column figures followed by the same letter do not differ significantly at the 5% level of probability. (The results for the 17 x 17 spacing include an estimated value for a missing plot in one of the four replicates) .

In previous years, the yield fran the closest spacing has been signi- ficantly greater than yields from all ther spacings. In 1974, the yield from the closest spacing was significantly different from only that at the widest spacing. There was no difference in spear size due to plant spac- ing. (Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario, Vineland station). Experimental asparagus seeder. Jung, R.V. The seeder was used to establish plantings at the Cambridge Research Station (O.M.A.F.) and in the Collingwood area (Meester Farm). The seeder can successfully seed a twin raw of asparagus 38 cm. apart in the bottom of a 10 cm. deep trench. The seed ie covered with approximately 2.5 an of soil. Fertilizer is banded to one side of each seeded row. A pre-emergent herbicide is applied within 10 days of seeding. This requires that the row and trench spacings are such that a tractor can pass over the planting for the herbicide application and for gradual scuffing-in of the trench around the asparagus plant as it graws to maturity. A larger four to six-row unit is under consideration as a more realistic machine size for establishing plantings on a custom operation basis. (School of Engineering, University of Guelph).

Low Pressure and Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Asparagus , 1974. Lougheed, E.C. and H. Tiessen. Asparagus was held in controlled atmosphere (CAI and low pressure storage (LPS) at 4.5O~ for 10 days. Treatments were: CA (%02- C02) - 5-15, 5-0; LPS - 180 mm Hg; controls - 20-0, air, and approx. 700 nun Hg in a flowing system. Relative humidities in chambers were from 95% to saturation with air being at approx. 90%. Asparagus was held wet (with butts of the spears in water) and dry (without water). The most tender asparagus was from the wet treatment + the 5-15 atmosphere. The next best atmospheric treatment was LPS at 180 mm Hg. (Department of Horti- cultural Science, University of Guelph) .

Residues on asparagus, 1974. McClanahan, R.J. Methoxychlor at 3 lb. per acre was applied by a grower at 9 p.m. Residues after 9, 15, and 39 hours were 8.8, 4.6, and 2.7 ppm. The present tolerance level of 14 ppm on asparagus would suggest that a harvest interval of 1 day would be adequate. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario) .

Seed stock Improvement (Improved Viking) , 1974. Tiessen, H. The object of this investigation is to obtain desirable plants from Improved Viking for establishment of a seedbed for ccanmercial production. The seedling bed was direct seeded in June 1973. As soon as sex determination can be made, the plants will be set in a permanent bed with a ratio of 4 females to 1 male in 1975. A small part of the permanent bed was planted in 1974 from the same genetic material originally planted in 1972 and intended for another investi- gation. (Department of or ti cultural Science, University of Guelph) .

Viking Variety Improvement, 1974. Tiessen, H. The object of this investigation is to develop a strain of Viking asparagus that is more resistant or tolerant to Fusarium Wilt. Seed fram selected Viking I1 were sawn in flats in the greenhouse. The seedlings were innoculated twice with Fusarium Wilt in 1973. From 4000 plants innoculated, approximately 350 survived until fall. The plants were overwintered in the greenhouse and continually rogued out until only 50 plants were set outdoors in the summer of 1974. It is to be hoped that a more disease resistant strain of asparagus will result from these plants. (Department of Horticultural Science, University of Guelph). Pre-emergence herbicides for weed control in established asparagus I. Brawn, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P. 178, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Post-emergence herbicides for weed control in established asparagus 11. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P. 179, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sec.) 1974.

Weed control in established asparagus 111. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P. 179-180, Res, Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Pre-emergence herbicides for weed control in field seeded asparagus I. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P. 180, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sec.) 1974.

Performance of post-emergence herbicides for weed control in field seeded asparagus 11. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P. 181, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (~ast.Sec.) 1974.

Post-emergence herbicides for field seeded asparagus, 1974. Phatak , S.C. and W.J. Bouw. Horticultural Experimental Station, OMAF, Simcoe, Ont., An abstract of these results is published in the 1974 Research Report, Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sec.)

Pre-emergence herbicides for field-seeded asparagus, 1974. Phatak , S. C. and J.W. Bouw. Horticultural Experiment Station, OMAF, Simcoe, Ont. An abstract of these results is published in the 1974, Res. Rept. Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sec.)

Tolerance of Asparagus to Herbicide, 1974. Waywell, C.G. Dept. of Horticultural Science, Univ. of Guelph. An abstract of these results is published in the 1974 Res. Rept., Can. Weed. Comm. (East. Sec.)

H. Tiessen, Chairman Asparagus Commi tree

SWEET CORN

RESEARCH SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

Fourteen abstracts on research work in sweet corn were received, three in the breeding and cultivation section, two dealing with European corn borer and corn earworrn control, and nine in the herbicide section.

Work on using line crosses to increase the productivity of the seed parent and seed quality while maintaining earliness, uniformity and other desirable characteristics of the cultivar is progressing.

Screening of insecticides for corn borer and corn earworm control is continuing.

Herbicide research has concentrated on screening of potential sweet corn herbici-des and mixtures, testing of antidotes for the protection of sweet corn from thiocarbamate injury, and the assessment of the effect of various herbicides on the weed spectrum.

Recommendations

To maintain an upto-date recommended list of sweet corn varieties in

Publication &63, some cultivar testing would seem desirable. Possibly a trial every second or third year would be suffi.cient for this purpose. Work on corn borer control and monitoring should continue. Herbicide research has provi-ded sweet corn growers with a good range of potential herbicides. Testing of some of the newer and more promising herbicides on a wide range of sweet corn cultivars would be desirable. DEVELOPMENT of sweet corn inbreds. /\err, E.A. The main work in 1974 was further stabi l ization of released and unreleased inbreds. Lines produced at Simcoe were compared with lines which had been selected and selfed in 1973 under severe fusarium stalk rot conditions in Idaho. No consistent differences were noted. Sometimes the Simcoe lines appeared to have the y-eater vigor and uniformity and sometimes the Idaho lines did.

A quantity of seed of seven inbreds was produced in anticipation of the release of hybrids containing them. A couple pounds of sel fed seed of 21 inbreds was obtained in anticipation of seed production of hybrids for preliminary grower trials, Unfortunately, the freeze of September 22 came before some of the corn was fully ripe. Germination tests have not yet been made. (Horticultural Experiment Station, S i mcoe )

PRODUCTIVITY of sweet corn line crosses. Kerr, E.A. Economical commercial seed production of early sweet corn hybrids is difficult because of low ivity. An attempt is beinj made, by use of line crosses, to Increase productivity of the seed parent and seed quality while retaining earliness, uniformity and other desirable characteristics of the cultivar.

In 1974, 131 1 ine crosses were compared, for vigor and open- pol I inated seed production, with the standard and the closely related inbreds. lnbreds being investigated were: V574, V576, V6ll, V631, V641, V642, V643 and V6715. Most of the line crosses showed very little improvement; a few were very promising. Crosses have been made to some of these line crosses to determine whether the cultivar is affected. (Hort icuitural Experiment Stat ion, Sirncoe)

SWEET corn cultivar trials. r,. A. Cultivar trials \were qreatly reduced in 1974. They consisted primarily of numbered hybrids from the Simcoe breeding project that were undergoing preliminary commercial trial. The most promising were as follows:

Ear l i vee Season : VH733 and Onthyb 741 Spring Goid Season : Onthyb 742, Onthyb 744, Seneca XPi75 and Sundance Tende rvee Season : VH701, VH735, VH692 and Onthyb 747 Tastyvee Season : Onthyb 746, VH694 and VH695 J ub i lee Season : VH695, VH702, Onthyb 749 and Onthyb 7410 Stylepack Season : 3nthyb 7411, NCX2004 and Tendersweet

Semicommerciai trials indicate that there is a place for VH701 in commercial productlon. Seed stocks of one of the parents wi l l have to be built up before it is introduced.

A three-way hybrid maturing In Earlivee season will be named. It has been produced and tested by seed companies as Polarvee A. h llmited amount of seed will be available from commercial sources in 1975. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe) CONTROL of the European corn borer in sweet corn. McClanahan. R.J.

The infestatim love1 of corn borer was about one-fifth of that for 1373. S~vin,Lannate, Padan, monitor and RH 213 were adequate for 1st generation

c~ntrolon R 5 day schedule. Furada,~on a 10 day schedule was comparable. In late sweet corn 6 sprays were appliod starting I~ug. 2; the first 3 at 3 day intervals thon closinz to twice-wcekly. Furadan, Iiostathion, Lnnnate, 1:onitor and Sevin all kept infestation of the ears to 4,; or Laier. {Xesearch Stat ion, ? ~ricultureCanada, Harrow. Cntari 0).

TOXICITY of insecticides to the corn earworm, Heliothis -zea (Loddie). McClanahan, R.J. Spray tower tests established the toxicity of 12 insecticides to 1st instar corn earworm. Ten materials, previously found to be effective against Zuropean corn borer, were moderately to very toxic to the corn earworm. Padan and Sevin had low toxicity to earworm larvae. ('.*+search Station, Apiculture Canada, liarrow, Ontari 0).

Weed control in sweet corn I. Hamil 1, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.64, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.)

Weed control in sweet corn 11. Hamill, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.65, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sect.)

Weed control in sweet corn 111. Hamill, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.66, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect .)

Weed control in sweet corn IV. Hamill, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.67, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect. )

Weed control in sweet corn V. Hamill, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.68, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect .)

Weed control in sweet corn VI. Hamill, A. S., Agr. Can., Harrow, P.69, Res. Rep. Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sect.)

Screening herbicri.des for sweet corn. Phatak, S.C. & Bouw, W.J.,

H.E.S. Simcoe; Page 88 Res. Rep. Can. Weed Comm. (-st Sec.) 1974

Pre-emergence herbicides for sweet corn Phatak, S.C. B BOUV:,.i.J.,

H.E.S. Simcoe; Page 89 Res. Eep. Can. Weed Comm (-st Sec.) 1974 PICKLING CUCUMBER SUMMARY

Research Summary and Recommendations -

Fourteen abstracts, relating to various aspects of pickling cucumber research, are presented. ~reedln~research was conducted at Harrow where 116 breedinq l lnes and hybrids were evaluated for disease resistance, qua l lty andWperformance.' Emphasis, in disease resistance, was p laced on tolerance to angular leaf spot and cucumber mosaic virus. The new FI hybrid, Harrow 71.21, was tested at a number of locations. Its performance indicates testing should continue. Replicated Cultivar Trials conducted at 3 locations again showed Pickmore to be the highest yielder of the 5 cultivars tested but Greenpak (H-38ND) also performed well. In herbicide trials a number of mixtures and programs gave full season weed control. The most promising programs were: vensulide + naptalam, butralin + ch loramben, din itramin; + ch loramben or dyanap. l rrigation stud ies showed that cucumbers grown both for hand-pick and once-over harvesting responded to irrigation with increased yields. iucumbers grown for hand- pick should be Irrigated frequently i.e. whenever the available soil moisture drops to 60%. ;;ith once-over harvesting, less frequent irrigation may be adequate. Resu Its from population studies showed that yields increased by increasing plant population to 175,000 plants/~for Heinz 3534 and to 250,000 plants/A for Pickmore, in the absence of irrigation. Growth regulator trials were carried on at 2 locations. In one trial, ethephon increased y ieIds by approxiniatel y 25%, chlorf l urenol increased yields by 42: and a combination of both these chemicals increased yields by 55%. Another trial, showed that varieties responded di f ferent l y to ethephon and ch lorf l urenol appl lcations.

Assessment of research: There are no serious problems in growing cucumbers with present cultural practices. But the high cost of and lack of labour is of immediate concern. For this reason mechanical harvesting is inevitable. In 1974 about 250 acres of cucumbers were grown for once- uver mechanical harvesting. At the present time there is sufficient information avails5lo on cultural practices for once-over harvesting to make recommendations on fertilizers, herbicides, plant populations etc. Registration of uthephon would get over the problem of sex reversion and increase yields. %search relating to once-over mechanical harvesting should be continued.

thcommendat ions for future research: I) Herbicide eval uatlon should be continued. Weed control is a major problem with cucumbers grown at high density. . 2) Variety testing at high populations density should be continued. 3) Efforts to obtain registration for the growth regulator, athephon, should be continued. 4) Irrigation studies in combination with plant population density studies should be Initiated. The economics of irrigation for once-over harvest i ng should be eva l uated. 5) Study the possibility of increasing populations with present cultural practices and reduce the frequency of harvesting as an interim step to once-over mechanical harvesting. 6) Other research related to improved practices for once-over mechanical harvestlng qf pick1 ing cucumbers should be continued in order to maintain a viable cucumber processing industry in Ontario. PICKLING cucumber breedin and testin . Nuttall, V. W. One hundred and sixteen breexgT~nes,wgenet c stocks, F hybrids and F2 to Fg populations were field-grown with selection emphas 1s on tolerance to Anqular Leaf Spot (ALS), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), also for white spine and other important horticultural characters. ALS screening was done by Dr. IJ. G. Bonn. Many promising tolerant selections senesced early, preventing vegetative propagation. Spread of ALS was also hindered by extended drought. Cb1V either stunted or destroyed several vegetatively- propagated plants, indicating that the need to combine tolerance to ALS and CMV is critical. Incorporation of resistance to scab in the new whi te-spined 1ines also is essential.

Harrow 71.21 black-spined F1 hybrid pickler was tested at 5 locations in Ontario and in 5 States of the U.S.A. In Ohio it was considered to be too light in color and in Michigan and Wisconsin, too dark! i'i salt-stock evaluation report is pending. However, it wou 1d appear that 71.21 merits a second wide-scal e test.

The inheritance of the rare combination ivory skinlblack sp ine was completed, showing that spi ne color segregates i nd&endently from. skin color; also that ivory skin in Ottawa 50 and in cv White Wonder are controlled by the same gene.

In the once-over trials at 100,000 plants per acre, the white- ,pined cultivars significantly outyielded the black-spined cvs; in the multipick trials at 2Cl,000 plants, there were no significant differences in yields between the two types. In once-over observation trials, cvs Patio Pik, Perfecto Verde, Earlipik and C5ND yielded In excess of S12001A. All exceeding a gross yield of $1800/A, in descending order, were mu1 ti- pick observation item Bounty, 140. 11 59, IXX518, Perfecto Verde, FX3904, Premier, Harrow 73.18, Score, No. 3885, and FX3815.

Research initiated in 1973 to determine the optimum high density for a once-over harvest on Fox sandy loam in Essex County was included in an irrigation-population density experiment cooperatively with Dr. J. M. Fulton. It is noteworthy that at "no irrigation", culls from the 20,000, 50,000, 75,000 and 100,000 population ranged respectively from 17.4, 22.7, 31.3 to 33.3 per cent. (Agriculture Canada, Research Station, Harrow, Ontario. NOR 1GO)

CUCUMBER variety trials. 0' Sul livan, J., Goodwin, P. Five cultivars were grown in the once-over advanced replicated trial. Greenpak (H-38ND) gave the highest return ($687/A) followed by Pickmore, Harrow 71.21, ilremier and Pioneer. Of the 28 cultivars in the once-over observational trial, the named cul tivar, Patio Pik, gave the highest return ($1450/A) followed by the experimental 1ines Niagara-NCX 513 and Harris-] 1C2. Returns from observational and rep1icated trial s were much reduced from previous years because of a poor plant stand and a poor growing season. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe). CUCUMBER variety trial. Metcalf, J. G. Four varieties were grown in advanced and 29 in observation trial. These were harvested on a once-over basis. Those in advanced and the more promising varieties in observation trial were:

Qua1i ty (out of 100)

Advanced Pickmore 38ND 14-71 .21 Pioneer

Observation Exp 3665 4J C 2 FX3904 XP 1040

Pioneer, the standard was lowest in the advanced trial as it was last year. Pickmore was top as it was last year. (Agriculture Canada, Smi thfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

GROHTH regulators on pickling cucumbers. Heeney, H. B. The 1974 field trial completed the study. Three years of field trials have indicated the following average effects on Pioneer cucumbers planted at 77,500 plants per acre during the first week of June in a sandy loam soil and harvested as a once over destructive harvest: 1. Ethrel (250 ppm) at 3 TL stage increased average returns over the three year period b 24.21 and 2. Morphactin (100 ppm I applied during last week in July and harvested 7-10 days later increased yields by 41.8%. 3. The combination of the two treatments increased returns by 55%. 4. Average returns of the best treatment over the three year period was 51093 per acre. 5. Later ethrel treatments, later morphactin treatments or early or later harvests after morphactin treatments eliminates all benefits. 6. It was noted that during cloudy, cool periods such as these experienced in mid June 1974, 1i ttle or no benefit was evident as a result of ethrel treatments. (Agriculture Canada, Smi thfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

YIELD increases in pickling cucunlber by ethephon and chlorflurenol. Phatak, S. C., Bouw, w.-J. Pickmore and Heinz 3534 cucumbers seeded to 100,000 plants/acre. Ethephon (250 ppm) was applied twice, three days apart starting at first or fourth leaf stage. Chlorflurenol was applied at 0, 25, 50 or 100 ppm when 6-8 female flowers had reached anthesis. ~~ighestdollars per acre yields were produced; \/hen ethephon was applied in the first leaf stage followed by 50 ppm of chlorflurenol for Pickmore and ethephon application in the fourth alone for Heinz 3534. Fresh qua1 ity was not affected by the treatment. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe). IRRIGATION and plant populations for pick1 ing cucumbers. Ful ton, J. M., Nuttall, V.W. Irrigation substantially increased the yield and dollar returns of both the hand pick and machine harvest (simulated) system of production. Highest yield and gross dollar returns were obtained from the hand pick operation with 20,000 plants per acre. All populations (50,000, 75,000, 100,000 plants per acre) of the machine harvest operation produced similar yield and returns when not irrigated but when irrigated returns increased slightly at higher populations. It would appear irrigation at 60% available soil moisture can be justified in the hand pick operation but irrigation at 25% ASM is adequate in once- over operation. Rainfall during the 1974 season was below normal and irrigation increased yields about 300 per cent. (Agriculture Canada Research Station, Harrow, Ontario).

IRRIGATION and nitrogen requirements of cucumbers grown at hiqh population densityor- once-over harvesting. O'Sullivan, J., Goodwin, P. 'Premier' pickling cucumber cultivar was seeded into a Berrien sandy loam to give a population of 100,000 plants/A. Fertilizer at 600 lbs/A of 6-24-24 and 200 lbs/A of 33-0-0 was applied, pre-plant incorporated.

Treatment Tons/A $ Value/A % Off Shape Fresh Quality %

1. No Irrigation 5.9 855 40. .J 57.8 2. Irr. at seeding 5.3 847 37.2 62.8 3. Irr. at running 5.(; 87 6 30.0 63.7 4. Irr. at running+30 lb N/A 7.0 967 20. 1 61.5 5. Irr. at fruit set 6.7 91 5 20. 1 69.3 Combination of 2, 4 C 5 6.7 956 15.8 67.8

Irrigation at running with U, at fruit set or a combination of these + irrigation at seeding increased yields by approximately 1 ton/A or $100/A, reduced 7; off shape and significantly increased fresh qua1 i ty. Itowever, the effect of irrigation was not very pronounced in this trial, ilainly because of non-uniform emergence, poor early growing conditions and inadequate weed control. (Hortlcul tural Experiment Station, Simcoe) .

PLANT population study for optimum yields and quality. Phatak, S. C. Two cultivars of pickling cucumber, Pickmore and Heinz 3534 were grown under unirrigated conditions, at 8 plant populations of approximately: 20,000; 44,000; 62,000; 75,000; 110,000; 175,000; 250,000 and 400,000 plants per acre. All fruit was harvested once-over. Tons per acre yields increased as population increased up to 175,000 plants per acre for Heinz 3534 and up to 250,000 plants per acre for Pickmore. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe). SCREENING for angular leaf spot tolerance in pickl ing cucumbers. Jonn, W. G., Nuttall, V. W. A technique for screening cucumbers for tolerance to angular leaf spot was perfected in the greenhouse and growth chamber during the winter season of 1973-74. The system involved inoculation of one-week old seed1 i ngs with Pseudomonas lachrymans and subsequent evaluation of the young plants for susceptibi 1i ty or tolerance five to seven days later. Twenty-one lines of cucumhers from the pickling cucumber breeding program at Harrow were screened for tolerance to angular leaf spot in the greenhouse before setting out the tolerant plants in the field for further evaluation. In addition 15 lines were direct- seeded in the field and evaluated for field tolerance to this disease. selections based on angular leaf spot tolerance and horticultural value were obtained from this material and will be used for further work in the breeding program. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario).

HERBICIDES for pickl ing cucumbers. Heeney, ti. 8. , i!arren, V. (Smi thf ield txperimental Farm, Trenton). Research Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 213.

HERBICIDES for pickling cucumbers. Phatak, S. C., bouw, W. J. (H. E. S. , Jimcoe). Research Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 214.

PREPLANT incorporated and preemergence herbicides for weed control in cucumbers I. Pitblado, R. E., Brown, R. H., aillon, C. (RCAT, Ridge- town). Research Report, Canada Weed Comi ttee, Lastern Section, 1974, p. 215.

POSTEPIERGEIJCE herbicides for weed control in cucumhers I I. Pi tblado, R. E., Brown, R. ti., Dillon, C. (RCAT, Ridgetown). I?esearchReport, Canada Weed Commi ttee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 21 5-216.

SCREENING herbicides for weed control in cucumbers I I I. Pi tblado, R. E., brown, K. li., Dillon, C. (RCAT, Ridgetown). 1:esearch Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 216-217. SLICING CUCUMBERS

SUMMARY V. W. Nuttall

Messrs. J. K. Muehmer (R.C.A.T., Ridgetown), and A. Loughton (H .R. I .O., Vineland Station), cooperated in evaluating the same 10 cul tivars on a replicated basis. At Ridgetown, an additional 48 cvs were assessed on a single plot basis and at Vineland Station, 4Q observation i tems were tested. The same general cultural practices were used at each location, and transplanting and initial har- vesting dates were comparable. On the basis of the trial results, two varieties, Marketmore 70 and Belle Aire, were proposed as additions to the cultivars now listed in Pub1 ication 363, but under the category "for trial only".

RECOMMENDATIONS

Resources permitting, evaluation of new varieties shoul d continue for two more years, selecting only the most promising cvs from the 1974 coordinated trial. Since total labor input for slicing cucumbers is high (starting plants indoors, hand-transplanting, tunnel or other form of protection for specific areas, and hand-harvesting), a cost of production study with this crop meri ts consideration. As recommended in 1972, explore the feasibi 1 i ty of bare-root transplanting; compare precision seeding with conventional transplanting; test scheduled plantings to ensure continuity of supply.

ABSTRACT SLICING cucumber yield and observation trial, 1974. Muehmer, J.K. In a coordinated effort with H.R.I.O., Vineland, ten advanced cultivars in replicated yield trials together with 48 cultivars in single plots of 10 plants were sown in R.C.A.T. greenhouses, pricked-off into 2%" peat pots and field-set on June 5, 1974 with a mechanical peat-pot-planter at 5.0' x 1.5' spacing. Comnon cultural practices were maintained; at least one replicate suffered yield reduction due to drought conditions, hwever, no irrigation water was applied. Harvest commenced on July 22, 1974, but was cut-short on August 12, 1974 due to other work pressures. The follow- ing table lists the best performing cultivars only. Advanced Tri a1 Observation Trial Name Fruit Size Yield Name Fruit Size Yield

Victory 344.0 14.0 Get Set 466.1 22.5 Belle Aire 351.0 13.0 Smooth Set 459.5 20.2 Marketmore 401.7 11.6 Quick Set 424.1 19.0 Chal lenger 423.4 10.8 Vi ctory 380.5 17.9 Marketmore-70 374.1 10.8 Burpee Hybrid 478.9 17.1 Highmark I1 374.9 9.7 Gemi n i 453.3 16.7 Long Green Impr. 350.8 9.7

These and other promising cultivars will be entered into a screening trial for prospective hothouse cucumbers. (RCAT, Ridge town) PEAS

RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

I. L. Nonneckc

SWEET-PODDED pea screening trial, 1974. Muehmer, J.K. Ten cultivars from different seed sources were sown June 18, 1974 at 14" row spacing with single seed drops approximately every 3". in a replicated, randomized block design. The lateness and the dry weather following seeding resulted in a poor stand which made yield evaluations impossible.

Little Sweetie (Stokes) and Dwarf White Sugar (Agway) were earliest, while Dwarf Gray Sugar (Seedway), Mammoth Melting Sugar (Burpee) and Hyoga Sugar (Sakata) were most pleasant tasting. The renewed interest of some processors in this specialty crop may warrant further investigations in 1975. (RCAT, Ridgetown) .

POST-EMERGENCE herbicides for weed control in processing peas I. Brown, R.H., Pitblado, R.E. and Konecny, J.F. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., p.18, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. BEANS (SNAP AND LIMA)

SUMMARY R. H. Brown

Two experiments in weed control in lima beans and three experiments in weed control in snapbeans carried out at Ridgetown (RCAT) and Harrow (CDA) and reported in the 1974 Research Report of the Canada Weed Committee (Eastern Section) are referred to. No other research work was reported.

RECOMMENDATIONS -

1. Demonstrations and experimental research to further define the advantages and problems associated with planting snapbeans in beds (6" x 6") versus 19 to 20 inch rows.

2. Examine spacing effect on lima bean production.

Performance of herbicides in lima beans I. Pitblado, R.E., Brown, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.157, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Screening herbicides in lima beans 11. Pitblado, R.E., Brown, R.H. and Dillon, C. RCAT, Ridgetown, Ont., P.158, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Corn. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Weed control in snap beans I. Hamill, A.S. Agr. Can., Harrow, P.151, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Weed control in snap beans 11. Hamill, A.S. Agr. Can., Harrow, P.152, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974.

Weed control in snap beans 111. Hamill, A.S. Agr. Can., Harrow, P.153, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. sect.) 1974. PEPPERS

SUMMARY J. K. Muehmer

From a total of 13 abstracts received, four were dealing with cultivar testing and improvement. These evaluations form the base for specific recommendations in Publication #363. Stock seed of 2 superior cultivars will be turned over shortly to commercial channels to eventually benefit the Ontario pepper industry.

Peppers respond well to irrigation by increasing early and total yields as well as wall thickness and uniformity, but irrigation delays fruit ripening. Sixty pounds N/A in a split application was most beneficial.

Applying Ethephon for color promotion in peppers resulted in significant increases of red and colored fruit at Simcoe and Ridgetown. Early cultivars require lower rates while all commercial peppers tested responded best to split applications of low rates.

The vitamin 'C' content of most green peppers was equal to or better than that of red ripe tomatoes while ripe bell-type peppers contained 4 to 5 times that of tomatoes or twice the vitamin 'C' of oranges.

Furadan, despite low incidence, still proved most effective for corn borer control.

Yield losses due to pepper viruses are of concern to the industry, therefore the studies at Vineland were of great interest. None of the 14 commercial cultivars tested showed immunity. In a separate study plantings were almost virus free until the end of August when the virus incidence jumped sharply without showing parallel increases of aphid catches nor aphid/leaf count correlation. There were definite reductions in the incidence of a!>iud transmitted virus by using different colored polyethylene mulches betwec;, :>:ant rows. Next to aluminum yellow colored mulch proved best by reducing incidence by 50% or better.

RECOMMENDATIONS -

The problems with unsatisfactory pepper yield are still with us, many of these could be alleviated by extending available information, such as improved cultural practices, varieties, populations, etc.

The emphasis in research should be in the following areas:

1. Growth regulators: a) To continue existing projects in screening varieties for Ethephon responses for color promotion. Most varieties in use are maturing too late for processors who aim for a high color of full ripe pack. Any advancement of maturity and/or color promotion would therefore greatly 4 improve the utilization of the full yield potential of cultivars grown in Southern Ontario. b) Concentrate on Ethephon application for fruit abscission.

2. Pesticides: a) Stress the screening of bactericides for control of spot (X. vesicatoria). b) Continue existing projects on pepper virus control and interrelationships with aphid vectors.

3. Cultivar Testing and Breeding: Due to the great climatic differences between the production areas, the need for coordinated pepper trials remains in order to have valid recommendations for Publication 1363. Ontario would also fare better with cultivars distinctly bred and selected for our conditions.

4. Engineering and Management: As labor is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain for harvesting operations, a coordinated effort is needed to successfully mechanize the harvest of the various types of peppers for the processing industry.

COORDINATED cultivar trial of sweet peppers for processinq. Muehmer, J.K. and Mucalov, M. Ten cultivars were entered in replicated yield t;ials while 15 additional lines were tested in 2 rep's fo; observation both at H.E.S. Simcoe and on trial grounds at R.C.A.T. Transplants grown in 2 1/2" peat pots were field set using a peat-pot- mechanical transplanter on June 3, 1974 in gravelly loam soil at a spacing of 36" x 18". Common cultural practices were followed; despite drought conditions, no irrigation water was applied. Harvesting of mature fruit with at least 25% coloration began on August 26, 1974 and continued at weekly intervals till September 19, 1974. Advanced Yield Trial - 1974 - R.C.A.T. and H.E.S. Simcoe Fruit Weight Avg . Wall Name and Source T /A g Thickness R.C.A.T. H.E.S. R.C.A.T. H.E.S. m

Sonnette - M.S.U. 10.21 Belaire - Niagara 10.1 Keystone R. Giant - Asgrow 10.1 E. Canada Bell - Stokes 10.0 World Beater - F.M. 9.9 Jade - Asgrow 9.7 Big Pack - Twilley 9.5 Canape Hybrid - Stokes 8.8 Staddon's Select - Agway 8.4 Midway - Twilley 6.9

The cultivars Bell Boy, Emerald and Missile gave outstanding performances in the observation trials, and will receive "trial" recommendations for publication 1363. Detailed descriptive reports are available from each of the institutions. (RCAT, Ridgetown) CULTIVAR trials of sweet peppers for processing. Mucalov, M. and Muehmer, J.K. Ten sweet pepper cultivars were planted in a Berrien sandy loam in single row plots of 15 plants each, replicated four times. Seeds were sown in greenhouse flats on April 3, trans- planted on April 29 and set in the field on June 7, (2 112 ft between rows and 1 112 ft between plants). Five hundred lb/A of 6-24-24 fertilizer was broadcast and disced in and for weed control Treflan 314 lb/A was preplant incorporated. Irrigation was applied three times during this years excessively dry growing season. Fruit was harvested for the early harvest on August 20 and September 4 (ripe fruit only) and for the main harvest on September 19 (both red and green marketable fruit). Fruits from 10 plants per plot were taken for yield records and a sample of 10 fruits per plot were evaluated for fruit characteristics.

Fifteen cultivars were compared in the Coordinated Sweet Pepper Observation Trial and another 32 cultivars and experimental lines in an additional observation trial. Both these observation trials were treated and recorded in a similar manner to the coordinated processing sweet pepper trial. In the observation trials there were only two replications. Outstanding in the coordinated observation trial was Bell Boy cultivar and second best was Missile for yield and fruit characteristics. In the additional observation trial B15M73 + B19M73 (Pollack N.J.) were very early and very attractive in colour (greenish- yellow) and in size. Other promising selections were: V70-42-28, 37, 46, V70-24-5, 10, 26 (HRIO), PS74-1 (V70-21-1, P31-73), F1 Hybrid ill9 (Sakata, Japan) and Cadice (Holland). (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario)

DEMONSTRATION plots of processing peppers in S.W. Ontario. Muehmer, J.K. Transplants of 10 different commercial pepper cultivars, grown at RCAT greenhouses were field set at 2 locations during the end of May using 1.5 x 3.0 ft spacing. The cooperators, Messrs. R. French, Malden Twp., Essex Co. and G. Cadotte, Dover 'Itrp., Kent Co. employed common cultural practices; both plantings suffered drought in various degrees causing a yield reduction. RCAT transplants generally showed more vigorous growth than southern plants due to a better developed root system. Average Commercial Yields of Processing Peppers Cultivar Source Ton/Acre % Red - Midway Twilley 6.7 60 Big Pack Twilley 5.9 50 World Beater Ferry Morse 5.4 40 Staddon's Select Away 5.3 5 0 Sonnet te M.S.U. 5.0 5 0 Keystone Res. Giant Asgrow 4.7 15 E. Can. Bell Stokes 4.7 75

The above yields compare well with the data obtained from other experiments, and confirm the recommendations in publication ii363. (RCAT, Ridgetown) INFLUENCE of irrigation and nitrogen on pepper yields. OISullivan, J., Goodwin, P. Eight N treatments together with 2 irrigatlon treatments were compared in a pepper N-sidedress- ing, irrigation trial. Staddon's Select cultlvar was planted into a Berrien sandy loam which had 600 Ibs of 0-20-20 fertili- zer broadcast and disced in prior to transplanting. The starter solution, 10-52-17, was applied in the transplant water. Plants were planted 18" apart in 25l rows, each plot had 3 rows, 30" apart. Immediately after planting, NH4N03 at 0, 30, 60 and 90 Ibs/A was applied to irrigated and non-irrigated blocks. At first fruit set, the 8 blocks of irrigated and non-irrigated peppers were split into 2 and 0 and 30 Ibs/A of NH4N03 was app l ied.

Pepper Fruit Yield Amount of N(lbs/A) Early Tota l Tota l Total applied at planting (T/A) (T/A) (No. (% non-marketab le) and at fruit-set +IR -IR +IR -IR +IR -IR +IR -IR

lrrigation significantly increased early and total yield both in tons/A and number of fruit harvested. This was due to the large increase in green fruit harvested from irrigated plots. Non-irri- gated plots yielded more intermediate and red-ripe fruit, this effect being more pronounced in the early harvest. The effect of N-sidedressing was not significant at early harvest. However, N treatments had a significant effect on total fruit harvested, the 30+30 Ibs/A N treatment gave the highest yield. The effect of N- sidedressing was not very pronounced in this trial, probably due to an early frost. With later harvesting, the N effect would have been more significant. Irrigation significantly reduced the number and '% of non- marketable fruit harvested but N sidedressing had no significant effect. While irrigation had no effect on the incidence of blossom- end rot or soft rot, it did effect uniformity and wall thickness. Irrigated fruits had much thicker walls and greater uniformity than fruits of non-irrigated plants. N treatments had no effect on wall thickness, uniformity or soft rot but increasing N tended to increase the incidence of blossom-end rot. There was no inter- action between N and irrigation treatments on any crop responses measured. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe). PEPPER fruit rlpenlng with ethephon. Phatak, S. C. and ~UW,W. J. TWO pepper cul tivars, Shepherd and Staddon Select were treated with ethephon at 400, 800, 1200, 1600 ppm once or 100, 200, 300 pprn three times or granular ethephon (150 g /plot) once. All ethephon treatments increased per cent red ripe fruit from once-over harvest of both cultivars. Most effective ethephon concentrations were; 100 ppm three times or 1200 pprn once on Shepherd while 300 pprn thrlce or 1600 pprn once for Staddon Select. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Slmcoe) ------

EFFECT of Ethephon sprays on color promotion of peppers, 1974. Muehmer, J.K. Southern transplants from 6 commercial cultivars were field set on June 13, 1974 and-grown according to common cultural practices. Starting on August 30, 1974 applications of Ethephon once at 800 pprn and 3 times at 300 and 500 pprn respectively were successful in increasing the percent of ripe fruit numbers and weights. The crop was harvested on September 30, 1974. All treatments were equally effective, but it is felt that 3 x 300 pprn is as beneficial as the higher rates. The treatment response is directly correlated to earliness and/or maturity respectively. Effect of Ethephon Sprays on Color Promotion of Peppers - 1974 Percentage of fruit numbers Name Ethrel Rates

Check 3 x 300 ppm 3 x 500 ppm 1 x 800 ppm

S taddon 6 6 8 46 16 38 36 7 57 11 66 23 Sweet Banana 12 11 77 37 31 32 14 25 61 31 27 42 Hot Banana 12 29 59 49 34 17 56 35 9 38 51 11 Cascabella 2 13 85 32 18 50 31 22 47 29 26 45 Yolo Wonder - 18 82 12 18 70 18 29 53 15 27 58 Keystone Res. Giant 24 12 64 75 25 - 52 12 36 46 4 50 Totals 6 15 79 36 22 42 33 24 43 30 31 39 (RCAT, Ridgetawn) INFLUENCE of maturity and inheritance on ascorbic acid content of processing pepper cultivars. Reedman, E.J. and Muehmer, J.K. Fruit samples from a varietal cross section of pepper plants raised at R.C.A.T. greenhouses were collected on September 27, 1974, quick frozen and to be later analyzed for ascorbic acid contents by Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Montreal. Ascorbic Acid Contents of Processing Peppers at R.C.A.T. Designation Type Size Avg. Ascorbic Acid

Green Red

Keystone Res. Giant bell large RCAT 74-4 bell large Asgrow-437 bell medium RCAT 74-1 pimento medium Castle pimento medium (yellow) Castle pimento (orange) Sweet Banana long large Cascabella hot v. small Eastern Rocket hot medium Early Set bell medium Ace Hybrid bell medium

It is obvious that red fruits have more ascorbic acid content than green ones of the same cultivar; here again bell types rate higher than others.

Fruits of most green peppers are equal in "Vit. C" content or better than red ripe tomato fruits from most commonly used varieties. For the benefit of all consumers further tests appear warranted to confirm these preliminary findings. (RCAT, Ridgetown)

CORN BORER control on peppers. McClanahan, R.J. Five materials were evaluated for pepper protection. Sprays were applied on a 5-day schedule from August 1 to September 10 except Furadan which was applied every 10 days. Peppers were harvested weekly from August 8 to September 12. Usually the degree of fruit damage in check plots reaches 90% towards the end of the season, however, this year it was only 10.1%. Over 1,900 fruit were picked from each treatment, and the total infest- ation by corn borers was as follows: Furadan 0.1%, Padan 0.9%, Monitor 0.8%, Lannate 1.5%, Sevin 2.5% and untreated 7.0%. Differences greater than 2% are significant at the 5% level. (Research Station, Harrow) POPULATION dynamics of aphid vectors of non-persistent pepper viruses. Kemp, W.G. Seasonal development of aphids was again monitored throughout the season in an unsprayed pepper planting as part of the continuing program related to spread and control of vegetable viruses. As in 1973, the virus incidence was low (less than 5%) until the last week of August in spite of large catches of aphids on at least 2 occasions in late July and early August. The incidence jumped to 28% in the last week in August. Again, as in 1973, sharp weekly increases in virus incidence was noted in September. Large sticky board catches did not coincide with the sharp virus increases. Neither were the increases correlated with the highest aphid/leaf counts. The largest count occurred on July 3 when the mean number of aphids/leaf was 21. At that time and until August 15 there were no infected plants in this unsprayed plot. (Canada Agriculture, Vineland Station)

SUSCEPTIBILITY of pepper cultivars to infection by aphid-borne viruses. Kemp, W.G. None of the 14 pepper cultivars recommended for commercial use in Ontario in 1974 were immune to natural infection by the common aphid-transmitted pepper viruses in a replicated field trial at Jordan, Ontario. The cultivar Istody had the lowest incidence (42%) on September 10, while the cultivars Staddon Select (95%), Emerald Giant (98%) and Keystone (100%) had the highest on the same date. All cultivars but two, Szedgedi (60%) and Shepherd (72%) had more than 80% of their plants infected. There was no significant difference in aphids/leaf on any cultivar to indicate preferential host status. Emerald Giant, one of the cultivars with the highest virus incidence did, however, have one of the highest aphid leaf counts. (Canada Agriculture, Vineland Station)

EFFECT of colored polyethylene mulches on the incidence of aphid- transmitted virus diseases of peppers. Kemp, W.G. The incidence of aphid transmitted viruses in peppers at season's end was reduced relative to the controls by 5 different colored polyethylene mulches located between the plant rows. Aluminum colored mulch proved most effective. It reduced the virus incidence by 59%. The virus incidence was reduced by 46% with a yellow poly-mulch, by 39% with a red poly-mulch, by 31% with a green poly-mulch, and by only 19% with a blue poly-mulch. The aluminum and red poly-mulches appear to delay a sharp increase in virus incidence by about 2 to 3 weeks.

Mean number of aphids/leaf was greatest on plants mulched with blue poly and was smallest on those mulched with aluminum poly.

Aphid counts were generally the highest throughout the season on yellow and blue sticky traps placed in the centre of the yellow and blue poly-mulched plots approximately 2 ft above the soil. They were usually fewest on aluminum colored sticky traps and on "soiltt-coloredsticky traps located in the aluminum poly-mulched plots and in unmulched, clean cultivated plots, respectively. (Canada Agriculture, Vineland Station) PEPPER selection and observation trials for southern Ontario, 1974. Muehmer, J.K. A. In addition to the coordinated cultivar trials 34 cultivars from commercial sources were screened for their usefulness in S.W. Ontario. Outstanding performance gave: Rumba (Rijk Zwaan), XP2030 and XP437 (Asgrow), B19~-'73(Romania and HES, Simcoe), Sweet Bull Nose (Ball), Gedeon (Pannevis) , Castle (Brooks, Alberta), Yolo W.A. (Asgrow) and M.R. Florida Giant (Twilley). B. Twenty-four additional selections from RCAT and Vineland breeding stock were tested as Fq, Fg and F6 for earliness, fruiting, fruit storage on vine, wall thickness, fruit shape and quality. Eighteen plant selections were made for further testing. C. From 25-F3 populations, 17 numbers were re-selected with a total of 31 individual selections for future evaluation of blockiness, wall thickness, high fruiting habit and good yielding ability. D. Populations from two pimento and 3 elongated bell-type pepper lines out of the RCAT selection1 breeding programme were grown in isolation for seed production. Only one line from each type was kept and stock seed will be turned over to commercial channels. (RCAT, Ridgetown)

BACTERICIDES for control of bacterial spot of pepper. Bonn, W. G. It was a disappointing season for experimental field work in bacterial diseases. The sumer was extremely dry in 1974 and those few times when rain occurred were not sufficient for disease outbreak. An evaluation of a number of bactericides including copper, antibiotic and other compounds for control of bacterial spot of pepper was not successful because dissem- ination of Xanthomonas vesicatoria and infection of plants did not occur in the field. (Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Harrow, Ontario).

HERBICIDE INVESTIGATIONS - Herbicides for transplanted peppers. Phatak, S.C. and Bouw, W.J. Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, P.240, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm., (East. Sect.) 1974.

Herbicides for weed control in transplanted peppers and tomatoes. Stewart, M.P. Amchem, Chatham, P.241, Res. Rept., Can. Weed Comm. (East. Sect.) 1974. SPINACH SUMMARY

Two abstracts, one on herbicide and one on a new spinach disease- "sp lnac h y'e l l ows" , Cycloate and chlorpropham are now recommended for use on splnach In Ontar lo.

RECOMMENDATIONS- I

HERBICIDES for splnach. Phatak, S. C., muw, W. J. (Horti- cu I tura l Experiment Stat Ion, Slmcoe) . Xesearch Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 211.

A new d isease of spinach. /

Research Summary and Recommendations - L. A. /;err

Four abstracts on research work in pumpkins were received : one on variety trials, one on spacing and two on herbicides. hickinson has been removed from the recommended list because of late maturity. Surprisingly there was very little difference in yield of bush-type cultivars as the spacing increased from 8 to 24 square ft per plant. There was a reduction in fruit size at the closer spacing. Chloramben appears to be an effective and safe herbicide for recommended pumpkin cultivars. decommendat ions

Further spacing trials with bush cultivars should be conducted to conf i rm 1974 results.

Pumpkin should be included with other cucurbits when screening trials with fungicides and insecticides are being conducted.

Earlier, more productive, mechanical harvest types with longer storage life are needed. These should give greater in-plant recovery and greater uniformity of product color. PUMPKIN variety trials 1974. Metcalf, J.G. Thirteen varieties were grown at 8' x 2' spacing. Heavy frosts occurred on Sept. 22 and 23 killing the vines and damaging many fruit especially those not fully mature. Varieties of interest included: PSX 773 (Peto) 27.9 T/A 25 lbs/fruit Jack Pot 26.8 T/A 24 lbslfruit Howdens Field 24.7 T/A 25 lbslfruit Connecticut Field 21.1 T/A 20 lbs/fruit The variety Cinderella had a very large crop however it suffered from frost damage more than many others placing it in 7th place with 16.6 tons/acre. The variety Dickinson had no ripe fruit. (Agriculture Canada, Smi thfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

PUMPKIN spacing trial 1974. Metcalf, J.G. The varieties Cinderella and Jackpot were planted at 4 and 8 feet between rows and 1, 2 and 3 feet in the row.

Yield T/A Size lbs. 8 ' 4' Ave . 8 ' 4' Ave. 1 ' 19.25 13.59 16.42 1 ' 15.3 10.5 12.9

Ave. 20.57 19.89 20.24 Ave . 18.4 14.7 16.3

Fruit size was consistently smaller as plant spacing decreased. Yield was similar at 2' and 3' spacing but was reduced at 1'. Yields were increased at 4' over 8 ' except at the 1 ' spacing. (Agriculture Canada, Smi thfield Experimental Farm, Box 340, Trenton, Ontario).

HERBICIDES for field pumpkins. Heeney, H.B. and Warren, V. Research Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 217.

IiERBICIDES for squash and pumpkin. Phatak, S.C. and Bouw, h. J. 1:esearch Report, Canada Weed Committee, Eastern Section, 1974, p. 218. WATERMELON

W. H. Foott

SUMMARY

There was no report submitted by the only scientist investigating watermelons in Ontario because severe drought in his area interfered with variety trials. Hwever, a report was received from G. A. Fisher of the Economics Branch, Ontario Ministry of Agricul ture and Food titled, "The Economics of muskmelon and watermelon production in Ontario". A brief sum- mary of his data follows: Watermelon production has never enjoyed much success in Ontario, with the average annual acreage estimated at under 35 acres. In 1973, average production costs per acre were $442.56. Quantities of watermelons were im- ported into Ontario during the period of local production. Successful melon growers in Ontario developed their own markets and annually supplied these markets with varieties and quantities demanded by the local cl ientele. Under the growing and market conditions found in this study, Ontario-produced melons were significantly important on markets in the immediate area where they were grown. The extreme variations in yields and gross returns per acre over the years classify watermelons as a high risk crop. Growers in the melon-producing areas of Ontario have learned by experience or observation that other crops can be produced wi th less ri s k. RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Fisher stated that the acreage devoted to muskmelon and water- melon production in Ontario and anticipated future production do not appear to justify any increase in research projects devoted entirely to these crops. There is a need, hwever, for someone to monitor the requirements of musk- melon and watermelon growers in the province. Someone (preferably attached to the Extension Branch) could assemble research data from neighboring states and other sources for the Ontario growers' use. IKKBICIDES for squash and pumpkin. Phatak, S. C. and W. J. Bouw. Butternut squash and Spookie pumpkin were seeded into a Caledon sandy loam on June 21. Herbicides were applied preemergence on June 24. Plots (5 ft. x 25 ft.) were replicated four times and were harvested on September 13.

Treatments Rate Weed Control Yield (I~/A) ~o/ftl(~ul~12) ~t/fr BLW GRASS (lbs) T/A

SQUASH Chloramben 2 1 3 1.3 1.5 " (gr.) 2 1 2 1.1 1.0 " (mixed salts) 2 2 6 1.2 1.5 Nap t a lam 4 2 10 1.4 0.4 Non weeded check 5 11 1 .O 0.5

PUMPKIN Chloramben 2 1 2 2.7 2.1 " (gr.) 2 2 3 3 .O 2.9 I' (mixed salts) 2 1 3 2.4 2.3 Nap t alam 4 2 13 3.1 1.0 Non weeded check 6 13 2.2 0.8

Major weeds in the plots were; crabgrass, pigweeds and lamb's- quarters. Chloramben provided acceptable weed control and yields. Naptalam controlled only broadleaf weeds. Butternut squash was injured by naptalam. (Horticultural Experiment Station, Simcoe, Ontario). MECHANIZED harvesting of horticultural crops. Voisey, P.W., Reid, W.S. and Hergert, G.B. Work has continued on the development of machines to harvest and bunch several crops including shallots and mini carrots. A new seeder was developed and evaluated for planting narrow beds of mini carrots to optimize yields and facilitate harvesting with existing multi- row harvesters. A single row harvester was developed and tested during the 1974 season. An apple harvest aid was developed for wall type plant- ing~and initial testing performed. The machine is also being evaluated as an aid in pruning. (Engineering Research Service, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa) .

PROCESSING and quality measurement. Voisey, P.W. and Reid, W.S. Studies of and equipment development for processing various horticultural crops were completed. Concentration by reverse osmosis was applied to apple juice, cranberry juice and maple sap to establish commercial feasi- bility of this process. Currently the working life of the reverse osmosis membranes in concentrating second press apple juice is being evaluated to establish parameters for predicting operational economy. A pilot scale individual quick blanch system is under construction to study vegetable processing. Several techniques for drying mushrooms were evaluated to establish a method that optimized product quality and costs. The gelation of baked beans is being examined to determine if poor textural quality can be prevented. Methods of drying white beans are under examination to find the least cosf method of preventing off flavours experienced during export. A number of techniques of removing pits from peach seeds were tested. Slicing of peaches by high pressure water jet and laser beams was given a preliminary examination to look at the feasibility of adapting these tech- niques to commercial processing. Work continued on the general instrumen- tal techniques for measuring quality and maturity of fruits and vegetables including pressability of grapes, apple sauce graininess, tomato firmness and onion deterioration in storage. (Engineering Research Service, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa).

TRISTIMULUS colorimetry of vegetables and their products. Fuleki, T. The objective of this project is to develop methods for the objective measurement of color of vegetables and their pro- ducts with the aid of a Hunterlab D25 Color Difference Meter equip- ped with two optical heads (L and P). Methods were developed to measure color on the L optical head for mushroom (L) and tomato juice (b.L/a) and on the P head for cabbage (L). The Hunter values or their combinations recommended for color measurements are given in brackets. Our laboratory participated in the Collaborative Reference Program for Color and Appearance of the Manufacturers Council on Color and Appearance. Four color plates were supplied by the above organization on four occasions. Our results compared favorably with those of 98 other instruments taking part in the program. (H.R.I.O., Vineland Station, Ontario). THE DEVELOPMENT of a simultaneous Mulch-Laying Machine for transplanted or seeded vegetable crops. Bomford, P.H. A satisfactory machine has been developed for this purpose. It lays twin mulch strips, separated by approximately 4 inches at the centre. The shoe of the transplanter or seeder (which are interchangeable) passes along this centre strip, placing the transplant or seed. Band spray- ing at the edges of the paper reduces the need for mechanical culti- vations, which may damage the mulch.

In trials during 1974, the machine was used to grow approximately 1 acre of cucumbers, 113 acre of tomatoes, and a small area of water- melons. Mean yield increase on mulched vs non-mulched rows was 50% for cucumbers, 56% for watermelons. Herbicide effects masked any yield benefit in the tomato area.

A STUDY of harvesting aids for vegetable crops. Bornford, P.H. The use of harvesting aids was studied in Asparagus, Strawberry and Cucumber crops. Construction and performance data were recorded. A prototype machine, based on data collected from the study, was con- structed and tested at Ridgetown. Further development and evaluation is planned for 1975. (R.C.A.T. Engineering Section, Ridgetown)

SEEDING wheel to direct seed through paper mulch. Jung, R.V. The small lightweight seeding wheel developed at Guelph has overcome most of the problems associated with previous paper mulch seeders. Modifications of the open pocket design are being evaluated. The adaption of a plate type (John Deere 33) and a rubber belt type (S tanhay) seedmetering box to the seeding wheel is in progress. A twin wheel seeding unit integrally mounted on a paper mulch laying and anchoring machine is under developed. (School of Engineering, University of Guelph).