[PDF] Optimizing Yields In Tomato Cultivation eBook

Author : Andrew Blunk
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 28,79 MB
Release : 2022
Category :
ISBN :

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Fresh-market tomatoes are the most common vegetable crop grown in high tunnel systems in the Mid-Atlantic Region and there is an increasing adoption of grafted tomato plants due to the benefits offered by vigorous rootstocks. In these production systems, it is common for N fertilizer rates to be determined by "prescriptive" recommendations that fail to account for the changes in N throughout each unique growing season. This often results in overfertilization of N up to two times more than actual crop needs which can lead to environmental pollution, reduced crop yields and quality, and lower farmer profits. The increasing adoption of grafted tomato plants in high tunnel and enhanced vigor of grafted tomato plants compared to non-grafted ones calls for a better understanding of the N demands and the optimization of N fertilization in this growing environment. Additionally, advances in handheld sensors, and common irrigation technologies used in protected culture production systems, offers new opportunities to improve fertilizer management. A study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 at the Penn State Russel E. Larson Agriculture Research Center, to evaluate 1) the response of grafted and non-grafted fresh-market tomato grown in high tunnel to N inputs and 2) the ability of two simple on-farm in-season soil monitoring methods, and multiple handheld electrodes, to track changes in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate levels throughout the tomato crop growing season. The test crop was fertilized via fertigation and received four levels of nitrogen (N): 0 (N0), 84 (N1), 168 (N2) and 336 (N3) kg/ha of N. Every two weeks, soil solution samples of each plot were collected using both suction lysimeters and the Sonneveld 1:2 (v:v) soil-water extraction method. Soil solution samples were collected throughout the season and analyzed using handheld pH, EC, and nitrate-ion selective electrode sensors. Results indicate that grafted plants have a higher N use efficiency and higher yield than non-grafted plants. N rate had no effects on total marketable yield over both growing seasons, which corroborates the limited usefulness of "prescriptive" N rate recommendations. Results from the soil monitoring methods showed a sensitivity to N treatments and suggest soil monitoring could be used by a grower to inform N management plans during the growing season. Finally, under the assumptions made, the economic analysis revealed that grafted tomato plants are more profitable than non-grafted plants in a high tunnel production system even in absence of biotic and abiotic soil-level stressors.

Author : Zhuri Hart
Publisher : Independently Published
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 43,78 MB
Release : 2024-02-20
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN :

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Dive into the lucrative world of tomato cultivation and transform your agricultural endeavors into a thriving business empire! This comprehensive guide is not just a book; it's your ticket to unprecedented success in the tomato industry. Attention Growers: Are you tired of mediocre harvests and uncertain market trends? This book is your compass to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of tomato farming with strategies that guarantee bountiful yields and sustained profitability. Why You Can't Afford to Miss This: Discover the secrets of identifying and conquering your tomato market. From planting to harvest, learn proven methods that will set you apart and establish you as a leader in the industry. Don't just cultivate tomatoes; cultivate success! Cultivation Mastery: Unearth the intricacies of tomato cultivation, from choosing the right varieties to optimizing growth conditions. Maximize your yield and minimize risks with expert insights that make every harvest a triumph. Financial Wizardry: No more guesswork! Learn the art of budgeting and financial planning specific to tomato farming. This book empowers you to make strategic decisions that will drive your agricultural enterprise toward sustainable prosperity. Brand Your Harvest, Brand Your Success: Elevate your tomatoes from the farm to the shelves with foolproof marketing plans. Build a brand that resonates with consumers and dominates the market. This is your recipe for turning tomatoes into a household name. Legal Know-How: Navigating the regulatory landscape is crucial. Arm yourself with the knowledge of regulatory and legal aspects that can make or break your business. Stay compliant, stay profitable. Triumph Against Odds: Be inspired by real-life case studies and stories of triumph. Learn from those who turned humble tomato farms into thriving empires. Their journeys will fuel your determination and guide you toward unparalleled success. Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers. Claim your copy now and embark on a journey that will redefine your approach to tomato farming. Your success story starts here! Exclusive access to resources and tools that complement the book. Take the first step towards transforming your tomato farm into a lucrative business TODAY! GRAB YOUR COPY

Author : Mejdi Jeguirim
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 334 pages
File Size : 46,5 MB
Release : 2023-09-01
Category : Science
ISBN : 0323950779

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Advances in Biofuels Production, Optimization and Applications discusses the optimization of chemical, biochemical, thermochemical and hydrothermal processes for biofuels. With a strong focus on applications, the book bridges the gap between technological developments and prospects of commercialization. Initial chapters review efficient hydrolysis and biofuel and bio-alcohol production before reviewing key processes such as biomass gasification, syngas conversion to biofuel, and pyrolysis techniques. Several biofuel applications are presented, including those within the transport industry as well as domestic and industrial boilers. The book then finishes with a review of the circular economy, biofuel policies and ethical considerations. This will act as a systematic reference on the range of biomass conversion processes and technologies in biofuels production. It is an essential read for students, researchers and engineers interested in renewable energy, biotechnology, biofuels production and chemical engineering. Provides recent advances in the processes and technologies currently used for biofuel production Addresses the technology transfer of integrated biofuel upgrading and production at large scale Highlights policy and economics of biofuel production, biofuel value chains, and how to accomplish cost-competitive results and sustainable development Examines recent development in engines and boiler technologies for the eco-friendly applications of these biofuels in the industry and transport sectors

Author : M.A. Fragoso
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 638 pages
File Size : 22,77 MB
Release : 2013-11-11
Category : Science
ISBN : 9401724962

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The world-wide shortage of plant production menacing the survival of many people demands for more and better research, particularly on how to increase food and where it is most needed. Major problems of international concern for the scientific community are the availability in soil media of macro and micro nutrients and the efficiency of nutrient uptake by plant roots, the interactions between nutrients and other factors, the distribution of nutrients in different plant species, biochemical functions of nutrient elements, and their contribution to plant growth, yield and product quality. Feasibility and profit are also permanent concerns about plant nutrition in crop management, to which new require ments are now imposed by the need to decrease pollution hazards, a problem of prime importance to preserve the environment of the future. is A deeper insight into basic knowledge further required as well as into practical problems in the domains of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. Such has been the concern of the International Association for the Optimization of Plant Nutrition (IAOPN) since 1964, promoting International Colloquia every four years as an opportunity for scientists concerned with plant nutrition to report new findings and to exchange ideas, experiences, and techniques. The Eighth International Colloquium for the Optimization of Plant Nutrition was hosted by Portugal and held in Lisbon from 31 August to 8 September 1992, with 280 delegates from 34 countries.

Author : Dylan Charles Kovach
Publisher :
Page : 76 pages
File Size : 38,18 MB
Release : 2020
Category :
ISBN :

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Greenhouse production of tomatoes through the use of sophisticated environmental controls and precision hydroponic growing techniques allows for significantly higher yields within a smaller footprint when compared to traditional field production. One of the challenges faced by year-round greenhouse tomato operators in the Northeast U.S. is the low availability of solar radiation during the winter months, which results is a heavy reliance on supplemental lighting to maintain the photosynthetic processes required for suitable yields. During preliminary experiments evaluating multiple daily light integral (DLI) and CO2 combinations with juvenile tomato plants grown in acrylic miniature growth chambers under cool white fluorescent lights, we began to notice the development of the physiological disorder edema on the lower, oldest leaves. Multiple studies have evaluated the effect of light quality on the development of edema in tomato, with many finding a correlation between increasing rates of edema in UV-deficient environments. Given the UV-filtering characteristics of acrylic and a lack of literature evaluating the interaction of multiple cultivars to edema, the objective of our study was to evaluate the development of edema in one rootstock cultivar, 'Maxifort', and four hybrid scion cultivars: 'Sweetelle,' 'Trust,' 'Merlice,' and 'Torero.' We began our experiment with 4-week-old tomato plants, with two of each cultivar being placed into four identical acrylic miniature chambers and a remaining eight of each being grown in a control walk-in chamber with no acrylic. Each experimental replication lasted ten days, with plants being assessed for their edema index rating along with affected leaf count of the three oldest compound leaves every two days. At the conclusion of the experiment, plants were evaluated for fresh and dry weight, stem diameter, overall height and total leaf area. We found a significant variation in the edema index between cultivars, with 'Maxifort' and 'Sweetelle' expressing the most and least symptoms over the 10-day cycle, respectively. All three compound leaves evaluated had a higher edema index when exposed to the acrylic chamber treatment, with severity increasing with leaf age. All cultivars exposed to the treatment, to a different degree, experienced a reduction in fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, and total leaf area. The results of this experiment could have benefits in for selecting existing cultivars or new cultivars from plant breeding efforts with lower susceptibility to edema for greenhouse growers producing in climates that may be conducive to the disorder. In a separate study conducted to quantity the benefits of an increasing daily light integral (DLI) on commercial-style, high wire hydroponic tomato production, four greenhouses were established with four different lighting treatments (15, 20, 25 and 30 mol·m-2·d-1) and controlled using the Light and Shade System Implementation (LASSI) algorithm. Plants were exposed to the treatments for three months, with photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency (WUE)) being evaluated three times during the course of the experiment. In addition, each plant was analyzed for number of clusters, number of fruit, total peduncle and fruit weight, first fruit fresh weight, first fruit Brix, first fruit dry weight, and the first fruit FW:DW ratio, with harvests being conducted as needed. From this study, we found no significant difference between treatments in the four photosynthetic parameters, although we did see a significant decrease in the number of harvested clusters, total cluster weight, fresh weight, dry weight, and the FW:DW ratio across the three months of harvest, with plants exposed to 25 $mol*m-2*d-1$ performed significantly worse that the 20 and 30 $mol*m-2*d-1$ treatments. This trend was inverted for Brix content, with the 25 and 15 $mol*m-2*d-1$ treatments having an overall higher average sucrose content than the others. Due to the interaction of increased plant age at start of the experiment, pressure from the root disease, Pythium, and increased environmental stress from high irradiance and heat in the summer, we believe that the experiment should be replicated with younger plants under winter conditions to ensure the best results are achieved. Identifying optimal DLI targets for tomato production can be beneficial for growers looking to determine the optimal light level to target without wasting additional energy on excess light that does not further contribute to yield.

Author : Gerrit van Straten
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 318 pages
File Size : 29,77 MB
Release : 2010-11-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 1420059637

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Greenhouse control system manufacturers produce equipment and software with hundreds of settings and, while they hold training courses on how to adjust these settings, there is as yet no integrated instruction on when or why. Despite rapid growth in the greenhouse industry, growers are still faced with a multitude of variables and no unifying frame