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Overwinter transplant production for extended season organic cropping (OF 0144)

Stopes, Christopher and et al (2001) Overwinter transplant production for extended season organic cropping (OF 0144). Elm Farm Research Centre .

[thumbnail of OF0144_2145_FRP.pdf] PDF - English
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Document available online at: http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/Project_Data/More.asp?I=OF0144


Summary

The objectives of this project (Defra project OF0144), lead by EFRC, were to:
• identify acceptable organic fungicide products to control mildew in transplant production
• produce integrated organic transplant production systems for brassica, allium and lettuce over the autumn and winter period by identifying optimum cell/block sizes in relation to nutrient requirements and sources, growing media formulation, and supplementary feeding and watering
• evaluate developed transplant production protocols during the winter period
• undertake technology transfer and dissemination of the results
Results:
Protocols were tested for a range of crop species and varieties, growing media, cell size and feeding regimes over the three seasons under experimental and commercial conditions. It is possible to produce transplants of a suitable quality over the winter period although propagation time is generally longer than at more favourable times of year.
With respect to identifying acceptable fungicide products
• a range of fungicidal products was identified including L-Carvone, Mycosin, fennel and clove oils that showed potential in controlling mildew on a range of crop species. However the work also raised the question of the suitability of the use of such materials in organic systems which has not been resolved.
• work on spectral filters found no benefits to their use in transplant production
• cell size has minimal effect on disease spread
As far as integrated organic transplant production systems are concerned:
• production time was longer overwinter than in spring
• lettuce was relatively easy to produce in a range of media and block sizes with no supplementary feed being necessary
• similarly cabbage was relatively easy to produce although feeding was required
• cauliflower was produced using smaller cell size and full nutrient compost


EPrint Type:Report
Keywords:horticulture, transplants, vegetables, salad, fungicide, crop diseases, propagation, knowledge transfer, OF0144
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Breeding, genetics and propagation
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Vegetables
Knowledge management > Education, extension and communication > Technology transfer
Research affiliation: UK > Garden Organic (HDRA)
UK > Univ. Warwick, HRI
UK > Organic Research Centre (ORC)
UK > Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Related Links:http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/research/ir_hortprod_overwinter_transplant.php, http://www.efrc.com/?go=EFRC&page=Research
Deposited By: Defra, R&D Organic Programme
ID Code:7973
Deposited On:31 Mar 2006
Last Modified:12 Apr 2010 07:33
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Not peer-reviewed

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