Plant Sciences Commons^™

Pb1637 Fertilizers And Their Use, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

An understanding of soil chemical properties is important because of their effect on nutrient availability to plants. Also, these properties may usually be favorably altered with the use of lime and/or fertilizer materials. Many plants need 18 elements (see Table 1) for normal growth and completion of their life cycle. These elements are called the essential plant nutrients. Soil amendments containing the essential plant nutrients or having the effect of favorably changing the soil chemistry have been developed and used to enhance plant nutrition. These amendments are our lime and fertilizer materials.

With the development of these modern lime and …

Pb819 Growing Vegetable Transplants In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The production of vegetable plants for commercial and home use is increasing in Tennessee. This is partially due to the expansion of greenhouse flower and ornamental production. To meet the demand for home gardeners, growers have gradually added vegetable plants to their spring production operation. Growers are finding that production of quality plants is a profitable business in urban areas.

Successful vegetable plant production is not a simple practice, because it requires technical knowledge of production practices within an enclosed environment, careful planning and man age ment. Combining the required environmental conditions favorable for vegetable plant growth, either in a …

Pb962 Producing Cantaloupes In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Cantaloupes are a warm-season crop that requires 70 to 90 days, depending upon the variety, from seeding to marketable fruit. Their consumption has increased by 11 percent since 1958. Almost all of the increase in consumption can be credited to the installation of salad bars in fast-food restaurants. Cantaloupes are very sensitive to cool temperatures. If they are exposed to cool temperatures (50 degrees or less) for short periods of time during the growing period, growth will be severely stunted. Plants will continue to survive, but their growth rate and fruit set rate per plant decreases. About 700 acres of …

Sp277-S Black Root Rot Of Tobacco, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Black root rot has been one of the most costly diseases of tobacco in Tennessee. This disease attacks tobacco either in the plant bed or in the field. It is a serious problem where tobacco is grown repeatedly in the same bed or field. Rarely does black root rot cause spectacular damage in any one field. It is important that growers be able to recognize black root rot and take the necessary control measures.

Sp435-C No-Till Establishment Of Forage Crops, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Agriculture has changed in many ways during the last 50 years. One of the greatest changes has been the use of no-till planting methods. When no-till planting is mentioned, most people usually think of crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton. The problem of soil erosion with conventional row-crop production has been significantly decreased by using herbicides to kill a cover crop and planting without tillage. Though often overlooked, no-till technology is also well-suited to be used in forage crop establishment.

Pb737 Commercial Tomato Production, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Commercial tomato production requires a high level of management, large labor and capital inputs and close attention to detail. Tomato production is subject to the variations that occur in weather, which may result in severe crop damage and losses. Labor requirements for production, harvesting, grading, packaging and transporting are very intense. Prices can change daily when growers are dealing on the fresh market. Gross returns to top level growers range from $1,500 to $10,000 per acre. If you plan to enter the tomato business, be sure to first study these aspects thoroughly.

Three distinct production areas exist in Tennessee. In …