results from the 2014-2015 season at the cravo ... - english

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Results from the 2014-2015 season at the Cravo Demonstration and Training Greenhouse

Culiacan Mexico, Latitude 24

Overview Primary objectives: • Evaluate the impact of installing stationary insect net under the retractable roof on yield, timing, pollination, disease, insects and water usage.

• Compare the difference between a clear versus a white retractable roof when installed above the stationary insect net

• Evaluate resistant and non resistant varieites of tomatoes (roma, beefsteak, cherry and coctail) peppers ( red and yellow blocky peppers and red

lamuyo) and cucumbers (english, persian, and american slicer) both under the retractable roof both with insect net and without insect net.

• Compare late season production of indeterminate tomatoes to a late planting of a semideterminate

• Extend the harvest of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers 1-2 months beyond what can be done in conventional greenhouses and nethouses.

• Evaluate the impact on plant growth and fruit on "Biloxi" blueberry grown outside and inside the retractable roof without insect net.

• Evaluate the performance of one variety of short day strawberries inside the retractable roof with and without insect net.

• Monitor water usage to evaluate potential water savings compared to traditional nethouses.

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Production system: • All crops were grown in the soil using drip irrigation. • Cucumbers and peppers were on the same irrigation system • A very basic irrigation system was used and all fertilizer was manually mixed. • There was no additional equipment: ie: no hydroponics, no C02 added, no retractable internal

screen, no heating system. • Since multiple crops where being produced in the same house, the roof control was dictated

by the most sensitive crops (cucumbers and peppers).

Participating Seed and Young Plant Companies

• Harris Moran de México • Sakata • BHN Semillas Latinoamericanas • Enza Zaden • Syngenta • Zeraim Gedera • Nunhems Bayer

• CapGen Seed • Semillas Fito • Seminis Monsanto • Vilmorin • US Agriseeds • Fall Creek • Panamericanana

Overview videos of the 2014-2015 season

The following videos will give you general information on the Cravo demonstration and training greenhouse.

Description Links

Welcome to the Cravo Demonstration and Training Greenhouse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VILDKOYMvsQ

Young plants performing well at 45C in the Cravo Training greenhouse, October 25, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34LtxbOclxQ

Crops grown in the Cravo Demonstration and Training greenhouse, January 19, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAVJZAIF0Io

Comparison in air temperature and humidity levels in the retractable roof with and without

insect net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKy4nwyOJJE

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Key results and lessons learned from the 6 month harvest

• Installing the insect net under the retractable roof had an overall positive impact on vegetable crops but had a negative impact on berries

• The retractable roof was very effective is reducing or eliminating the major problems of conventional nethouses: foliar disease and excessive

soil moisture after rain, drop in production during the winter cold, soft fruit during hot conditions, foliar disease and pollination problems during

high humidity, excessive volume of small fruit

• Closing the roof on hot days over the insect net (+/- 65%) created a much better growing envirnment.

• 48% less m³ of water was used for irrigation in the retractable roof houses compared to traditional nethouses

• Tomatoes and peppers were harvested for 6 months and could easily be harvested for 7 or 8 months.

• With insect net under the retractable roof, maximum yield of tomatoes was 35kg/m² for beefsteak, 27 kg/m² for roma and 25 kg/m2 for grape

• Without the insect net under the retractable roof, maximum yields of tomatoes was 36 kg/m² for beefsteak, 25 kg/m2 for roma and 24.5 kg/m2for

grape

• Had no losses in tomatoes from fruit splitting, early or late blight, botrytis, black spot, and only minor problems with pollination and blossom end

rot..

• Fruit quality and sizes of the January planting of semi determinate tomato was fantastic in June even though daytime temperatures were >36C.

(Open field harvest typically finished 3 months earlier ( March). Double planting cycle of short cycle semi determinate using stakes shows great

promise.)

• Extended bell pepper production by a minimum of 2 months compared to nethouses while increasing the shelf life late in the season by 50%,

fruit thickness by 13%-21% and firmness by 40%.

• Cucumbers were still in harvest at the end of June (3 months after nethouses finished). Strong potential exists to produce 12 months per year.

• Blueberries under the retractable roof achieved over a 260% increase in yield and a 48% increase in brix compared to those grown outside

• Air blowers had to be used in May and June when the high temperatures caused the bumble bees to become inactive.

• There was no major difference in fertigation requirements between the area with and without net although there was an increase in micro

nutrient deficiencies under the net.

• While the insect net helped to block the entry of insects, the change in micro climate caused an increase in insects like red spider. Making the

net retractable could help change the climate sufficiently to help break the reproductive cycles

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Impacts of installing stationary insect net under the retractable roof

Positive

Negative

• yield of indeterminate tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers was higher under the net

• harvest season was longer under the net

• insect pressure was significantly reduced

• it was easier to maintain optimum humidity levels when outside conditions were hot and dry ( bigger buffer)

• the net delayed the first harvest by approximately 7 days

• pollination of peppers was negatively impacted late in the season

• nutritional deficiencies where slightly more pronounced under the insect net, probably due to the lower transpiration rate

• fungicide applications were approximately 20% higher under the net

• red spider was a major problem under the insect net but was not a factor on any crop in the area without the insect net. Red spider populations was greatest on the cucumbers and strawberries. Pressure was highest on cucumbers under the clear retractable roof + net and significantly less under the white roof + net.

• Overall performance of berry crops were negatively impacted by the net.

Objectives for 2015-2016 Season

Based on what we have learned from the 2014-2015 season, we have set the following objectives for the trials being done in the Demonstration and

training greenhouse for the next season.

• Compare a September 1 planting of indeterminate tomato varieties (long cycle) using strings against a September 1 and January 15 planting of

semideterminate (short cycle) using field stakes.

• Achieve a continuous harvest of cucumbers from mid October till mid July.

• Compare most popular varieties of red and yellow bell and mini peppers under the retractable roof with insect net.

• Evaluate 3 different blueberry varieties under the retractable roof without insect net and inside a conventional tunnel.

• Evaluate short day and day neutral varieties of strawberries under the retractable roof without insect net and under a tunnel.

• Evaluate the impact of a misting system on the late season production both with and without insect net

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Results

Reduction in water usage

Growing tomatoes in the soil using drip irrigation in the retractable roof ( with or without insect net) resulted in a 48% reduction in total m³ of water

used over the comparable length growing season as compared to a conventional nethouse.

When one factors in the higher yield in the retractable roof, the water used per kg of tomatoes could be reduced by 69%. Further water reductions

could be achieved if growing hydroponically.

Tomatoes Retractable Roof Conventional Nethouse % reduction per month

m3/ day m3/ month m3/ day m3/ month

Oct 4.8 143 20 600 -320%

Nov 6.1 182 35 1,050 -478%

Dec 17.6 529 35 1,050 -98%

Jan 24.0 720 40 1,200 -67%

Feb 21.3 640 50 1,500 -134%

Mar 32.0 960 50 1,500 -56%

Apr 37.3 1,120 55 1,650 -47%

May 37.3 1,120 60 1,800 -61%

Total m3 water for the season

5,414

10,350

Average reduction in m3 per hectare in the retractable roof 48% Nethouse Retractable

Average Kg of tomatoes per ha 18,000 30,000

m3 of water/ ha 10,350 5,414

Liters per kg 0.58 0.18

% Reduction in water per kg harvested 69%

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Tomatoes

Conventional Nethouse in

Culiacan

Retractable roof 2014-2015 Actual results 2015-2016 Plan

Plants /m² 2.5 to 2.7 4 (4 beds/ 9.6m , 2 lines /bed, 30cm spacing, 2 stems

3.5

Planting date October 15 October 11, 2014 September 4, 2015

Harvest timing Dec 31- May 15 Dec 31-June 30 Dec 10- July 15

Production Notes

• Indeterminate varieties were produced under the retractable both WITH stationary insect net installed under the roof and without insect net

• semi determinate roma was planted Jan 14, 2015 in the area without insect net to evaluate late cycle

• some problems with the irrigation system impacted production early in the cycle. Irrigation tape was replaced in February due to problems with irrigation uniformity

• The retractable roof was controlled based on the more sensitive cucumbers and peppers meaning that the roof was closed partway for cooling for more hours than was required for the tomatoes

• Misting system would be beneficial to maintain quality and yield the hot conditions of June and July

• Plant September 3 (5 weeks earlier)and harvest from early December till mid July ( 7.5 months)

• Use only varieties resistant to TY • Add mist system to provide better humidity

and temperature control from May to July. • Manage bumble bee population better and

use more blowers during hot summer conditions to improve pollination.

• Plant two cycles of semi determinate Sept 5 and Jan 15 to target high price windows

Indeterminate Beefsteak

15-20 kg/m² TY Resistant and non resistant varieties • with insect net, the maximum yield was 35.1 kg/m²

with an average of 26.9 • without insect net, the maximum yield was 36 kg/m²

with an average of 21.9 kg/m² • average yield under net increased by 23% and brix

increased 10% • 26% increase in yield and 3% in brix if net is

• Target 40kg/m²

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installed below the retractable roof Only TY resistant varieties

• with insect net, the maximum yield was 35.1 kg/m² with an average of 30.3 kg/m²

• without insect net, the maximum yield was 36 kg/m² with an average of 25.8 kg/m²

• Average yield for resistant varieties was 17% higher than the total of resistant and non resistant varieties and there was no significant difference in brix

Indeterminate Roma

15-20 kg/m² • with insect net, the maximum yield was 27.7 kg/m² with an average of 20.7

• without insect net, the maximum yield was 25.4 kg/m² with an average of 18.9 kg/m²

• average yield under net increased by 12% and brix increased 16%

• 12% increase in yield and 16% in brix if net is installed below the retractable roof

• Target 35-40kg/m²

Grape • with insect net, the maximum yield was 35.4 kg/m² with an average of 31.2 kg/m² ( crop was located on first row so it received higher light levels)

• without insect net, the maximum yield was 24.5 kg/m² with an average of 23.6 kg/m²

• average yield under net increased by 32% and brix decreased by 8%

VIDEOS

Comparing indeterminate and semi determinate tomatoes in a retractable roof greenhouse in Culiacan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9flMnbTUFA&feature=youtu.be

Discussion at Syngenta of tomato crop cycles in Sinaloa Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT9P_aK4BNk

Crops grown in the Cravo Demonstration, January 19, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAVJZAIF0Io

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Indeterminate Beefsteak tomatoes- average fruit per plant- all varieties (Averages for 7 varieties, Lezaforta, Imperial, Audaz, Isis, HB10088,, 132091, 132092, Pirana, Aristocrazy)

4x4 4x5 5x5 5x6 6x6 6x7 7x7 7x8 Kg/ m2 Average brix

Retractable without insect net 0.5 3.1 11.5 18.8 25.9 33.6 25.2 20.7 21.9 3.4

Retractable WITH insect net 0.9 5.7 14.7 24.5 35.3 42.8 29.4 25.4 26.9 3.7

% increase with net 59% 81% 28% 30% 36% 28% 17% 22% 23% 10%

Indeterminate Beefsteak tomatoes- average fruit per plant- TY resistant varieties (Averages for 7 varieties, Audaz, 132091, 132092, Pirana, Aristocrazy)

4x4 4x5 5x5 5x6 6x6 6x7 7x7 7x8 Kg/ m2 Average brix


Retractable WITH insect net 1.4 7.5 17.1 31.5 40.5 45.8 27.2 27.5 30.3 3.7

% increase with net 71% 80% 23% 45% 31% 20% 0% 6% 17% 4%

Indeterminate Beefsteak tomatoes, kg/m2

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Indeterminate Roma tomatoes

Roma tomatoes- average for all varieties

XL L M Small Kg/ m2 Average brix

Retractable without insect net 3.4 17.1 71.1 134.0 18.9 3.9

Retractable WITH insect net 4.0 16.2 100.9 145.9 20.7 4.5

% increase with net 18% -6% 42% 9% 12% 16%

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Indeterminate Grape tomatoes

Grape tomatoes- average for all varieties

kg/m2 brix

Retractable without insect net 23.6 7.3

Retractable WITH insect net 31.2 6.7

% increase with net 32% -8%

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Cucumbers ( European, Persian, and Slicer)

Conventional Nethouse


Plants /m² 2.7 4 3.5

Planting date October 15 October 15, March 16, May 20 September 4, Jan, May

Harvest timing Dec - Mar Dec- June 30 Notes • Varieties were produced under the retractable both with and

without stationary insect net installed under the roof.

Key Results • Cucumbers under the insect net were easier to manage and performed better overall than those just under the retractable roof.

• Insect pressure was significantly lower under the net except red spider pressures spiked under the net in May and June when temperatures were +33C.Yield in the first planting under the retractable roof WITH insect net was approximately 30% for slicers, 19% higher for persian and 112% higher for European cucumber than those grown under the retractable roof without insect net.

• First harvest occurred 7 days earlier under the retractable roof without net, but also finished one month earlier.

• Cucumber production was easier under the stationary net due to the more stable microclimate and reduction in insects

• Oct 15 crop under the insect net stopped harvesting Feb 17 due to age of plant

• March 15 crop under the net was harvested until June 30 and could have continued for 1 more month

• Planting will only be done under the retractable roof with insect net.

• No problem to harvest continually from November to end of June. Could be possible to harvest continually 12 months per year

VIDEOS

Cucumbers, April 24, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU3oWcOUpNI

Cucumbers and peppers growing in 39C, Culiacan Mexico, June 2, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTyX8TUqCSE

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Slicer Cucumbers, totals fruits from 10 plants. Oct 15 planting

( Average over 6 varieties, Primavera, Socrates, Vitaly, Cra59001, Luxel, Cra2516)

Length in inches 19-20 20-21 22-24 24 + Total

Quantities harvested from 10 plants pieces Kg pieces kg pieces kg pieces kg pieces kg


Retractable with insect net 5.6 1.5 8.0 2.2 6.7 2.4 1.0 0.5 21.4 6.52

% increase under insect net 21% 32% 32% 23% 29% 29% 64% 123% 29% 32%

Persian cucumbers, total fruit from 10 plants, Oct 15 planting (average over 4 varieties, Katrina, Camelio, Encenada, Probus)

4"-5" 5"-6." 6"-7." Total kg

Retractable WITHOUT insect net 3.3 15.4 17.6 5.4

Retractable WITH insect net 5.6 20.2 22.8 6.4

% increase under insect net 70% 31% 30% 19%

Harvest of Persian cucumber "Katrina" on two different planting dates ( with insect net)

# of harvest weeks 4"-5" 5"-6." 6"-7." 7"+ Total

saleable fruit Total Salable

kg

Oct 15 planting 9 48 131 142 99 321 42.4

March 16 planting 9 18 38 192 73 248 33.3

% increase in March planting -63% -71% 35% -26% -23% -21%

European Cucumbers, total from 10 plants, Oct 15 planting (average over 6 varieties, Kalunga, Zapata, Kemen, Mastil, Espartaco, Cra5041)

12"(40cm) 14"(33-35cm) 16"(30cm) Total kg

Retractable without insect net 0.7 3.7 2.8 3.0

Retractable with insect net 2.5 6.4 5.2 6.4

% increase under insect net 239% 75% 87% 112%

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European cucumbers, # of kg per 10 plants by variety

Quantity of fruit harvested by size Without insect net With insect net

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Bell Peppers (Blocky and Lamuyo)

Conventional Nethouse


Planting density

5 5 beds/ 9.6m house, 2 lines/bed, 30cm spacing, 2 stems Same as 2014-2015

Planting date September 10 October 15, 2014 September 3, 2015

Harvest timing Dec 15- mid May January 15- June 30 Dec 15- July 15 Production Notes

• Transplanted 5 weeks late • Dutch style crop management using strings • Varieties were produced under the retractable both WITH

stationary insect net installed under the roof and without insect net

• Produce only under the retractable roof with insect net due

• Harvest for 7 months • Produce peppers: blocky (green,

orange, yellow and and red), mini bell peppers (red, yellow and orange)

• Add mist system to provide better humidity and temperature control from May to July.

• Manage bumble bee population better and use more blowers during hot summer conditions to improve pollination.

Average yield- Red

4.4 kg/m² • 5.3 kg/m² without net (20% increase compared to nethouse)

• 6.7 kg/m² with net (52% increase compared to nethouse) • 26% increase in yield and 3% in brix if net is installed

below the retractable roof

10 kg/m²

Average yield- Yellow

5 kg/m² • 4.7 kg/m² without net (7% decrease compared to nethouse)

• 7.1 kg/m² with net (43% increase compared to nethouse) • 53% increase in yield and 18% in brix if net is installed

below the retractable roof

10 kg/m²

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Key Results • Production season is limited by heat with most production ended early to mid may and with a reduction in quality

• Fruit was harvested until June 30 but could have continued for 1-2 months through the summer both with and without net.

• Shelf life of yellow peppers in May was 50% longer than for the same variety grown in a conventional nethouse

• Wall thickness was 13%-21% thicker and fruit was 40% firmer than those grown in a nethouse

• Pepper weevil was a problem in the area without and was not a factor in the area with insect net under the roof

• Biggest problems under the retractable roof without net was sunburn due to suboptimal roof orientation

• Pollination problems occurred when bee activity went down during extreme heat in May and June (should have used air blowers right away).

• Misting system would be beneficial during the summer for optimum temperature and humidity control

VIDEOS

Harvest season for peppers is limited due to lack of flowers and soft fruit, Syngenta nethouse, April 29, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT0J9jpadI4&feature=youtu.be

Crunchy bell peppers in the Cravo Demonstration greenhouse, April 24, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ewX0BLUZ9M

Cucumbers and peppers growing in 39C, Culiacan Mexico, June 2, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTyX8TUqCSE

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Blocky Red Peppers

Blocky Peppers, Red, total fruits for 10 plants (Averages for 7 varieties, Vyper, Relampago, Caoba, Vil4116, cra7456, cra7445, cra50117)

XL L M Small Trash kgs/ m2 Average

brix

Retractable without insect net 2.0 7.9 9.0 8.1 46.0 5.3 6.7

Retractable WITH insect net 1.6 9.7 10.2 11.2 54.0 6.7 6.9

% increase with net -20% 22% 13% 38% 17% 26% 3%

Blocky Red Peppers, Kg/m2 by Variety

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Blocky Red Peppers, Size by Variety, # of fruits by size for 10 plants

Without insect net With insect net

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Blocky Yellow Peppers

Blocky Peppers, Yellow, total fruits for 10 plants

(Averages for 7 varieties, Vyper, Relampago, Caoba, Vil4116, cra7456, cra7445, cra50117)

XL L M Small kgs/ m2 Average brix Retractable without insect

net 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.7 5.4 Retractable WITH insect

net 3.1 9.8 10.7 11.1 7.1 6.4

% increase with net 4% 228% 256% 269% 53% 18%

Blocky Yellow Pepper, Kg/m2 by variety

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Blocky Yellow Peppers, Fruits per 10 plants

Without insect net With insect net

Blocky Yellow Peppers, Brix

POSTHARVEST FRUIT QUALITY OF YELLOW SWEET PEPPER GROWN UNDER RETRACTABLE ROOF GREENHOUSE WITH AND WITHOUT ANTI-INSECT NET AND

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SHADEHOUSE CONDITIONS AT CULIACAN, MEXICO

Manuel A. Báez Sañudo, Rosalba Contreras & Yoshio Félix [email protected]

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD) Unidad Culiacán Laboratorio de Calidad Poscosecha

Carretera a Eldorado Km. 5.5, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México. 80110

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Days at 20°C

Cravo WITH net

Cravo WITHOUT net

Shade house

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Cravo WITH net

Cravo WITHOUT net

Shade house

� Sweet peppers grown in Cravo greenhouses with and without anti-insect net, had statistically greater fruit thickness wall (13%-21%) than those

grown in shade house conditions.

� After 15 days of postharvest storage, cumulative weight loss associated with fruit dehydration was 30-35% higher in sweet peppers grown in

shade house versus Cravo greenhouse without and with anti-insect net respectively.

� Sweet pepper fruits grown in Cravo greenhouses with and without anti-insect net were significantly 40% firmer than those fruits grown in shade

house.

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Lamuyo Red Peppers

Conventional Nethouse in

Culiacan


Planting density 5 5 beds/ 9.6m house, 2 lines per bed, 30cm spacing, 2 stems

Same as 2014-2015

Plants /m² Planting date October 15? October 15, 2014 September 3, 2015 Harvest timing Dec 1- Mar Production Notes

• Spanish style crop management using stakes • Varieties were produced under the retractable both

WITH stationary insect net installed under the roof and without insect net

• Target 7 month harvest • Produce under net only due to weevil • Add mist system to provide better

humidity and temperature control from May to July.

• Use more blowers during hot summer conditions to improve pollination.

Average yield 8 kg/m² • 7.2 kg/m² without net (10% decrease compared to nethouse)

• 9.3 kg/m² with net (19% increase compared to nethouse)

• 28% increase in yield and 2% decrease in brix if net is installed below the retractable roof

15 kg/m²

Key Results • Fruit was harvested until June 30 but could have continued for 1-2 months through the summer both with and without net.

• Biggest problems under the retractable roof without net was sunburn due to suboptimal roof orientation

• Pollination was a biggest problem under the retractable roof with insect.

• Misting system would be required for the summer for optimum temperature and humidity control

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Lamuyo Red Peppers

Lamuyo red peppers, total fruits for 10 plants

(Averages for 3 varieties, Tajo, Roble, Red Victory)

XL L M SL Small Kg/ m2 Average brix

Retractable without insect net 4.7 7.4 7.6 0.3 9.5 7.2 7.4

Retractable WITH insect net 7.5 10.1 10.8 0.1 12.7 9.3 7.2

% increase with net 60% 35% 42% -63% 33% 28% -2%

Fruits per 10 Plants by variety Without insect net WITH insect net

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Lamuyo, Red Pepper, kg/m2

Brix

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Blueberries ( Biloxi)

• Crops transplanted November 28, 2014

• Achieved two flowering cycles, Jan and June

Blueberry harvest from 10 plants

# of fruit harvested total kg/ 10 plants Brix (average)

Retractable without insect net 579 0.88 6.9

Open field 126 0.15 4.6

% Increase 360% 499% 48%

VIDEOS

Blueberries, April 26, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2QJ0Hp_Oyw

Blueberries,, June 2, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XajXcIQ_Z9o

results from the 2014-2015 season at the cravo ... - english

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