Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/illinoisvegetabl515univ NOTICE: Return or renew ail Library Materials! The Minimum Fee for each Lost Book is $50.00. The person charging this material is responsible for its return to the library from which it was withdrawn on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for discipli- nary action and may result in dismissal from the University. To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN L161—O-I096 JUN 6 2000 AGRICULTURE LIBRARY /o<z EXTENSION SERVICE Acx c - w COOPERATIVE 'C V3<P 5i COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE J2 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS flj AT URBANA — CHAMPAIGN b^ March 1985 \°$> \^^ NEWSLETTER SUPPORTERS The 1985 issue of the Illinois Vegetable Farmer's Letter is cur- rently being supported by the following companies: J.R. Kelly Co. Paarlberg Chemicals Cole Chemical Co. FMC - Agriculture Chemicals Group Harris Moran Seed Co. Potash Producers, Inc. We greatly appreciate the support from these companies. In the past, however, we have had almost 30 sponsors. If we do not re- ceive additional assistance, the newsletter will have to be dis- continued. please give us your support so that we may continue to be a primary source of information on commercial vegetable production. Other companies and organizations that would like to help sponsor the Illinois Vegetable Farmer's Letter, should contact John M. Gerber (217)333-1969. - U OF I ACTIVITIES ON COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE PRODUCTION 1984 This issue of the newsletter highlights some of the activities of the vegetable research and Extension staff during 1984. The University of Illinois has one of the best programs on commercial vegetable crops in the nation. We hope you are proud of your university. Extension specialists are available to help answer your questions on commercial vegetables. Please feel free to contact any of the following individuals: Vegetable Culture Vegetable Insects C. Chris Doll Roscoe Randell 132 N. Kansas 165 Natural Resources Bldg Box 645 607 E. Peabody Dr. Edwardsville, IL 62025 Champaign, IL 61820 618-656-9227 217-333-6650 Philip Nixon Shoemaker William 1010 Jorie Blvd. Road 535 Randall Suite 300 IL 60174 St. Charles, Oak Brook, IL 60521 312-584-6166 Vegetable Diseases Randy Lindstrom Barry J. Jacobsen K.C.C. Campus-River Road N-533b Turner Hall rtllULlUKE LIBRAR P.O. Box 2266 1102 S. Goodwin Kankakee, IL 60901 Urbana, IL 61801 815-939-3626 217-333-1845 DEC 1 9 1989 DIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS State/County/Local Groups/U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities In programs and employment. -2- John M. Gerber Vegetable Marketing 208 Vegetable Crops Bldg. J.W. (Bill) Courter 1103 West Dorner Drive Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Urbana, IL 61801 Simpson, IL 62985 217-333-1969 618-695-2441 Vegetable Weed Control Herbert J. Hopen Home Vegetable Gardening 206c Vegetable Crops Bldg. James C. Schmidt 1103 West Dorner Drive 1107 West Dorner Drive Urbana, IL 61801 Urbana, IL 61801 217-333-1967 217-333-2125 REPORTS FROM RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AT THE U OF I BARRY EISENBERG, postharvest handling specialist in the Department of Horticulture: Research in postharvest handling and storage of vegetable crops involved three crop areas: lettuce, sweet corn and horseradish. Lettuce research was designed to evaluate present packing procedures for hydroponically grown lettuce. Cooling rates, packaging techniques, and stacking patterns were examined. Sweet corn re- search involved an examination of how precooling and wholesale and retail handling affected sugar loss. Two varieties of sweet corn ('Florida Staysweet' and 'Gold Cup') were evaluated under different temperature regimes to emphasize why proper handling procedures are necessary at every step in the handling chain. Horseradish research examined how handling procedures at harvest and in storage affected dis- ease development, loss of fresh weight, sprouting, and total sugar content. CHRIS DOLL, area advisor in fruits and vegetables: The 1985 Vegetable School at Collinsville attracted an audience of 100, including 9 Missouri growers. The primary emphasis in 1984 was growing under plastic. This school was followed by the annual horseradish day at which the University of Illi- nois gave research updates. The summer twilight meeting at the Barry McMillan farm emphasized sweet corn and horseradish production systems and was concluded with attendance at a St. Louis Cardinal baseball game. Cooperation from the staff of the University of Illinois Departments of Horticul- ture, Plant Pathology, and Entomology with field plots resulted in (1) good ear- worm control in sweet corn with Pounce at 4 and 8 ounces and at 48 to 96 hour intervals; (2) continued favorable potentials for horseradish herbicides; (3) showing the potentials of fumigation with methyl bromide-chloropicrin in horse- radish production. There was a continuation of research in horseradish cultivars and storage, and pest management programs in horseradish and sweet corn. Interest in direct marketing continues in the area, and is supported by the staff through farm visits, newsletters, and promotion of the Farm Market Program. WALTER SPLITTSTOESSER, vegetable physiologist: The tomato is usually self-fertilized with wind being the primary pollination stimulus. Failure to set fruit is an important limiting factor affecting yield of plants. Although tomatoes can be grown over a wide range of temperatures, most cultivars only set adequate fruit under the narrow range of night tempera- tures of 59-70°F. -3- Parthenocarpic tomatoes set fruit naturally without seed. Research in the Department of Horticulture has shown that parthenocarpy in 'Severianin' tomato is controlled by the environment, and the control is a single recessive gene. Under favorable environments, seeded fruit is produced, but under unfavorable environments, such as the hot summers in Illinois, seedless fruit is produced. Fruit production in the greenhouse can also be a problem due to insufficient pollen shed. Again, under these conditions, seedless fruit is produced. It is hoped that this parthenocarpic gene can be transferred into lines with other desired horticultural characteristics. This could result in increased production, both in the greenhouse in winter, and under the hot Illinois summers. BILL SHOEMAKER, horticulturist: It was a busy year in 1984 at the Illinois River Valley Sand Field in Kilbourne, IL. Bill conducted vegetable trials, several studies, and hosted two twilight meetings for the growers of the region. Trials were conducted extensively on melons, in- cluding honeydew melons, large watermelons, yellow-fleshed watermelons, and obser- vations on mixed melons. A trial was also conducted on processing tomato culti- vars. Two studies he conducted looked at the use of spunbonded polyester mate- rials as row covers in a "floating" application. Use of the row cover over black plastic mulch on several planting dates was compared to the use of black plastic mulch or bareground planting of direct-seeded seedless watermelon. He also eval- uated its effectiveness on transplanted muskmelons in black plastic mulch. An evaluation was also conducted on the use of black plastic mulch on watermelons and muskmelons, both direct-seeded and transplanted. Results of this work can be found in the 1984 Illinois Vegetable Research Report. Bill is now established at the Northern Illinois Horticultural Research Center in St. Charles. He will be expanding his cultivar evaluation work with trials being carried out on ten to twelve vegetable crops. Other work he will conduct will include several studies on the use of row covers or tunnels on vegetable crops, an N fertility study on fresh market tomatoes and possibly some drip irrigation work. Any interested party is welcome to contact Bill at the Kane County Cooper- ative Extension Service Office (312)584-6166. BANDY LINDSTBOM, horticulturist, and ROBEBT CUBBY, Extension advisor from Kankakee County: The University of Illinois Horticulture Department conducted a successful twilight meeting in August of 1984. Forty-five growers viewed research plots dealing with variety trials on watermelons, broccoli, cauliflower, and peppers. Other studies conducted included a muskmelon transplant container comparison, a herbicide study on cucumbers, and fertility studies on peppers and broccoli. The Redwood Inn was the site for the Kankakee area Vegetable Growers School on January 22, 1985. Sixty-five growers heard various updates on insects, diseases, and weed control. Variety trial results from the Kankakee River Valley Sand Field and the Illinois River Valley Sand Field were presented. Special talks were given on drip irrigation and the development of good advertising programs. Following the meeting at the Redwood Inn, a representative from the University of Illinois Experiment Station announced the news that a permanent field will be established in the Kankakee River Valley. Land acquisitions will be looked into in the near future. -4- BARRY JACOBSEN, Extension pathologist: He presented disease control information at 7 schools in Illinois and made 37 farm visits. Barry made his annual trip to Tifton, Georgia, to inspect transplants for Illinois growers. He published a number of disease reports and circulars and co- authored colored picture sheets on vegetable diseases. These are available