Planting Date Effect on Yield of Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper, Zinnia, and Snapdragon in High Tunnel in Mississippi

Abstract

High tunnels' are unheated greenhouse structures used to extend the growing season and protect high-value horticultural crops. High tunnels have been used for many years worldwide and their popularity has increased in Mississippi recently. A planting date study of 'Roma' tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), 'Legend' tomato, 'Ichiban' eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.), 'Sweet Banana' pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.), 'Benary's Giant' zinnia ( Zinnia elegans L.), and 'Potomac Red' snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus L.) was conducted in 2010 in three high tunnels in Starkville, Mississippi. Each vegetable and cut flower cultivar was treated as an independent study. There were two planting dates for all the cultivars: 12 March 2010 and 2 April 2010. Only for zinnias, yield (272 stem/plot) of first planting date was higher than planting date two (106 stem/plot). A significant block effect was observed with 'Legend' tomato and 'Ichiban' eggplant where one high tunnel had significantly higher yield than the other two high tunnels. Harvesting of tomato, eggplant, and pepper from high tunnels was a month earlier than the field-grown crops. High tunnels can extend the growing season to provide produce to the market at earlier harvest dates in Starkville, Mississippi.

The Use of High Tunnels to Produce Fruit and Vegetable Crops in North America

“…In Mississippi, earlier plantings provided earlier harvests without yield loss [59]. However, there was no planting date effect on the total marketable yield for tomatoes, eggplants or banana peppers.…”

Influence of microclimatic conditions under high tunnels on the physiological and productive responses in blueberry 'O'Neal'

“…Studies have shown that air temperature inside the tunnel is 3 to 20 °C higher and that soil temperature is 2-5 °C higher than soil temperatures recorded in open fields (Ogden and van Iersel, 2009;Zhao et al, 2014). Studies conducted in tomatoes and strawberries indicate that the increase in temperature in high tunnels directly influences fruit precocity, with a harvest starting between 7 and 21 d earlier than in the open field (Wien, 2009;Singh et al, 2012;Cowan et al, 2014;Zhao et al, 2014). An increase in temperature of 2-3 °C and in relative humidity of 2-6% has been reported in strawberries grown under tunnels (Singh et al, 2012).…”

“…However, little information exists on the physiological and productive changes in woody plants, such as blueberries (Demchak, 2009). Studies have shown that air temperature inside the tunnel is 3 to 20 °C higher and that soil temperature is 2-5 °C higher than soil temperatures recorded in open fields (Ogden and van Iersel, 2009;Zhao et al, 2014). Studies conducted in tomatoes and strawberries indicate that the increase in temperature in high tunnels directly influences fruit precocity, with a harvest starting between 7 and 21 d earlier than in the open field (Wien, 2009;Singh et al, 2012;Cowan et al, 2014;Zhao et al, 2014).…”

Características de la cubierta de un túnel efecto en radiación, clorofila y rendimiento de calabacita

“…El uso de túneles, permite ampliar los ciclos de producción, aumentan la calidad y rendimiento de los cultivos, reducir la incidencia de plagas y enfermedades y protección contra condiciones climáticas adversas (Lamont, 2009;Rogers et al, 2012;Zhao et al, 2014).…”

“…The use of tunnels allows to extend production cycles, increases crop quality and yield, reduces pest and disease incidence, and protects against adverse climatic conditions (Lamont, 2009;Rogers et al, 2012;Zhao et al, 2014).…”