Alternative Crops - Crop and Soil Science - Lecture Slides, Slides of Botany and Agronomy

Download Alternative Crops - Crop and Soil Science - Lecture Slides and more Slides Botany and Agronomy in PDF only on Docsity! Alternative Crops Docsity.com Agriculture is defined as the activities concerned with the production of plants and animals. Horticulture is defined as the culture of plants for food, comfort, and beauty. Horticulture is divided into three important areas: Ornamental Horticulture Olericulture Pomology Docsity.com • Corn – Calhoun County average yield in 1998 was 125.27 bushels per acre – Dec. futures at $2.59 ½ per bushel Traditional Agricultural Crops continued Docsity.com Alternatives—Fruits & Vegetables • Advantages – Generally brings a good price – Adaptable to Georgia’s climatic and soil conditions – Because of urban sprawl, Florida is loosing some of its production capabilities Docsity.com Alternatives—Fruits & Vegetables continued • Disadvantages – Labor intensive – Expensive to produce – Uncertain markets Docsity.com Cantaloupes • Most of the commercial acreage is concentrated in South Georgia • State average of around 5 to 6 tons per acre • Experienced growers have produced 10 tons per acre with good conditions • Cantaloupes should be harvested at 3/4 to full slip. At 3/4 slip, a fourth of the stem will adhere and break rather than slip free. Check with seed supplier to determine when to harvest. Docsity.com Cucumbers • Cucumbers are divided into two types--Slicing and Pickling • Most cucumbers grown for the fresh market and shipping are of the slicing types. • Cucumbers will grow on most soil types in Georgia, but tend to grow better in soils high in organic matter. Docsity.com Cucumbers continued • Cucumbers mature rapidly in hot weather so they should be harvested every other day. • Slicing and fresh market cucumbers should be harvested at 1 1/2 to 2” in diameter and 6”-10” long and should be well formed with a dark green firm texture. • Cucumbers harvested in hot weather should be pre-cooled before shipping. Docsity.com Okra Harvesting • Harvesting for processing – should be allowed to get as long as possible without becoming fibrous or hard. Usually three harvests per week are required. • Harvesting for fresh market – 3” to 5” as long as it is still tender. May require harvest every day for quality product. Docsity.com Snap Beans • Can be grown successfully as both a spring and fall crops. • Grow best on fertile, well drained soils with a fairly high level of organic matter. • Can be mechanically harvested. – Fresh market--should be harvested before the beans are fully mature. – Processing beans--should be harvested when 60% to 80% are sieve size No. 4 or below. Docsity.com Southern Peas • Can be grown on a wide variety of soils that are well drained. • Can be planted for spring, summer and fall production. • For fresh market, peas should be harvested 50 to 80 days after planting depending on variety. Pods should be completely filled but not dry. Docsity.com Types of Squash • Summer Types – Crooknecks – Scallop – Straightnecks – Zucchini • Winter Types – Acorn – Waltham Butternut – Hubbard – Butternut – Buttercup Docsity.com Summer Squash • Harvested over several weeks • Should be harvested every other day during the peek production season. • Ready for harvest when they reach an edible size. The size depends on the market that is receiving them. Docsity.com Sweet Corn • Can be grown most any where in Georgia. • Needs fertile soil to produce efficiently. • Can be harvested for fresh market or for processing. • Primarily hand harvested. Docsity.com