High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-21-2012

Summary: Crops are progressing well with small fruit harvest underway, cukes close to harvest, tomato and pepper fruit developing. Tomato pith necrosis has been observed.

Join us again on June 4, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or just dial 1-866-492-6283.

Tomato pith necrosis often causes the pith to appear rotten and the external stem to have necrotic lesions.  Photo by Dan Egel.

The stems of tomato plants affected by tomato pith necrosis often appear shriveled and wrinkled. Photo by Dan Egel.

Tomato Pith Necrosis:
Tomato pith necrosis has been observed recently in a high tunnel.  This disease is caused by a bacterium.   Although observations of this disease in Indiana are infrequent, growers should scout their production for tomato pith necrosis.  Management options include avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization and high humidity.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-12

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-2012

Summary: Discussion of bramble, especially raspberry, production in high tunnels. Tomatoes and strawberries are being harvested from tunnels in S. Ohio.

Raspberries in high tunnel, photo courtesy J. Miller.

Join us again on May 21, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283.

Reports:  

N. Central Illinois: Growers Supply 30x96 ClearSpan tunnel was erected with USDA grant funds in Spring 2011. Planted ‘Josephine’ red raspberries. Plants are supported with steel T posts and a double wire. Two hundred plants (2, 100-ft. rows about 7 ft. apart) produced 356 pints between Aug. 30 and Nov. 10 last year, the first harvest. Berry quality was excellent, much better than is found in grocery store. Berries could also be harvested both spring (June – mid-July) and fall.