_ 1996 Fruit and Vegetable Research Qeport October 1996 Research Report Series No. 12 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Dr. James. E. Marion, Director Auburn University, Alabama Contents Authors ...................................................................... ...... 1 Problems in Accessing Commercial Markets for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ................................................................................................... 2 New and Profitable Crops for Alabama -- Asparagus ...................................................................3 For the Second Time, 'Silver Queen' Not Rated as Best-tasting Sweet Corn .............................................................................................. 4 Sensory Evaluation of Alabam a Lettuce .........................................................................................5 Effect of Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on N Level in Bell Pepper Leaves ............................................................................ 6 Year Two: Double-cropping Bell Peppers and Broccoli on Black Polyethylene Mulch .......................................................................... 7 Root Growth Helps Schedule Irrigation for Plastic-Mulched Tomatoes and Bell Peppers .......................................................................8 Mulch Color Affects Bell Pepper Yield ................................................................................ 9 Surveying Irish Potatoes for Three Viruses ................................................................ 9 Appearance and Performance of Selected Red-skinned Irish Potatoes .....................................................................................10 Could Irrigation Increase Irish Potato Yields in Alabam a? ...............................................................................................11 Evaluation of Fungicide Treatments to Control Late and Early Blight in Irish Potatoes ...............................................................................................12 Transgenic Tomatoes Withstand CMV Epidemic ........................................................................13 Alabama's Fresh-market Tomato Growers Use Integrated Pest M anagem ent ..................................................................................................14 Evaluation of Biological Control Treatments for Bacterial Spot Control on Tomatoes ................................................................................15 Reproduction of Reniform Nematodes on Snap Beans Commonly Grown in Alabama .................................................................. 16 Molecular Markers in Watermelon .......... ....... ..................................................... 17 Isozyme Markers in Kiwifruit .....................................................................................................17 Effect of Mulch Color on Strawberry Production using Annual Hill Plasticulture .......................................................................................... 18 Frost Protection of Satsumas with Microsprinkler Irrigation ................................................................................................ 19 New Peach Thinning Material Evaluated .....................................................................................20 Maximizing Irrigation in Peach Production ...............................................................................20 Evaluation of Fungicides for Scab and Glomerella Control on Pecans .............................................................................................21 Evaluation of Fungicides for Pecan Scab Control in Central Alabama ...............................................................................................22 Evaluation of New Pecan Cultivars for Scab Resistance ..........................................................23 Yield and Kernel Percentage of 22 Pecan Cultivars from 1992-1995 ......................................................................................24 Weed Control Increases Yield and Economic Return from Young 'Desirable' Pecan Trees ..................................................25 Information contained herein is available to all without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin. October 1996. Authors John Adrian Bob Goodman John Owen Professor Associate Professor Superintendent AU Agricultural Economics AU Agricultural Economics Piedmont Substation and Rural Sociology and Rural Sociology Mike Patterson Randy Akridge Gary Gray Associate Professor Superintendent Assistant County Agent AU Agronomy and Soils Brewton Experiment Field Chiltion County Jim Pitts Paul Backman Michael Guerini Superintendent Professor Graduate Research Assistant Chilton Area Horticulture Substation AU Plant Pathology AU Plant Pathology Billy Rhodes Jim Bannon Beth Guertal Professor Director Assistant Professor Horticulture, Clemson University E.V. Smith Research Center AU Agronomy and Soils Marvin Ruf Ellen Bauske Derenda Hagemore Interim Superintendent Extension Associate Secretary Sand Mountain Substation AU Horticulture North Alabama Horticulture Substation Laura Sanders Bobby Boozer David Himelrick Computer Specialist Area Horticulturist Professor AU Discrete and Statistical Sciences Chilton Area Horticulture Substation AU Horticulture Ed Sikora James Brown Hongwen Huang Associate Professor Associate Professor Associate Professor AU Plant Pathology AU Horticulture Wuhan Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Lynn Slocum Arnold Caylor Research Technician Interim Superintendent Joe Kemble AU Horticulture North Alabama Horticulture Substation Assistant Professor AU Horticulture Amy Simonne Cindy Chanrnell-Butcher Postdoctoral Fellow Research Technician Stephen Kiser AU Nutrition and Food Science AU Horticulture Graduate Research Assistant AU Agricultural Economics Eric Simonne Fenny Dane and Rural Sociology Assistant Professor Assistant Professor AU Horticulture AU Horticulture Leonard Kuykendall County Agent Jim Smith Bill Dozier, Jr. Chambers County Agricultural Technician Department Head Turnipseed-lkenberry Place AU Horticulture Pauline Lindo Graduate Research Assistant Lewis Tapley David Dubois AU Agronomy and Soils County Agent Visiting Scholar Jackson County AU Horticulture Karrie Lovins Research Technician Ed Tunnell Joe Eakes AU Plant Pathology County Agent Coordinator Associate Professor Baldwin County AU Horticulture Ronnie McDaniel Associate Superintendent Larry Wells Ron Eitenmiller Gulf Coast Substation Interim Superintedent Professor Wiregrass Substation Food Science and Technology Harry Mills University of Georgia Professor Rudy Yates, Jr. Horticulture, University of Georgia Assistant County Agent Wheeler Foshee Dallas County Extension Associate John Murphy AU Entomology Assistant Professor Geoff Zehnder AU Plant Pathology Professor Bill Goff AU Entomology Professor Monte Nesbitt AU Horticulture Area Horticulturist Xian Zhang Visiting Scholar Gulf Coast Substation AU Horticulture 2 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Problems in Accessing Commercial Markets for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables JOHN ADRIAN AND STEPHEN KISER A frequently heard comment among ward brokers and wholesalers/retailers. The primary Alabama's fruit and vegetable growers is, "We can reason for using a particular outlet was convenience grow it, but we can't sell it." AAES research evalu- (53%). Other reasons noted for selecting a particu- ated this professed dilemma to provide some insight lar market were: only market available (18%), into the problem. Goals were to determine and owner of retail outlets (7%), large volume required evaluate differences and compatibilities between to use the market (6%), repeat sales (5%), and bet- produce growers and marketers in the state. ter prices (3%). The top-two problems associated Forty-two marketers and 64 growers were with markets used were insufficient buyers and low personally interviewed to determine their role in and price. Fifty-four percent of producers stated that opinions of the fruit and vegetable system. About price received at markets used was unsatisfactory. three-fourths of the fresh-produce-purchasing firms On the buying side of the market, firms are contacted were retailers, while the balance was interested in handling locally grown produce, but equally represented by brokers and wholesalers. generally on a basis that is consistent with normal About two-thirds of these firms were sourcing terms and conditions. Basically, retailers proprietorships, while 21% and 14% were corpora- or their warehouse units can operate without locally tions and partnerships, respectively. grown produce, but under appropriate conditions, Product specifications most frequently de- their business could be enhanced by availability of sired by retailers for local produce were fresh, clean, quality locally grown crops. Retailers want stabil- appropriately packaged and vine-ripe products. Al- ity in product flow or, at least, sufficient lead time though retailers stated a desire to use more locally to promote items that are readily available. grown products, they indicated that market require- On the selling side of the market, growers in ments and conditions were rigid and some local pro- the state are primarily oriented toward direct mar- ducers would have difficulty meeting them. Sev- kets, which seem to become saturated with prod- eral considerations that influence the marketers' ucts during the primary production season, result- willingness