PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato

Scientists in western Washington use crop enterprise budgets to evaluate production practices

2013-11-19
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Michael W. Neff
mwneff@ashs.org
703-836-4606
American Society for Horticultural Science
High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato Scientists in western Washington use crop enterprise budgets to evaluate production practices MOUNT VERNON, WA--In the mild coastal climate of western Washington, agricultural growers are learning more about the advantages of growing popular fresh-market vegetables in high tunnel production systems. High tunnels can offer many benefits for delicate vegetable crops, including protection from environmental stresses such as hail, frost, excessive rainfall, and high wind. Despite these obvious benefits, the use of high tunnels for growing both lettuce and tomato is currently limited in the region--estimated to be only 50 acres for tomato and less than 20 acres for lettuce. According to Washington State University researchers Suzette Galinato and Carol Miles, the adoption rate for using high tunnels is low in the region due to a lack of in-depth knowledge about specific high tunnel production practices for tomato and lettuce, the high tunnel structures best suited to each crop, potential returns, and the capital investment needed to initiate and maintain high tunnel production.

Results of the scenarios showed that, for lettuce, the labor cost per square foot of growing area was found to be six times greater in a high tunnel than in the open field. For tomato, labor costs were ten times greater in a high tunnel than in the open field. Total labor cost comprised more than 50% of the total production costs of lettuce and tomato in both the high tunnel and open-field systems. Given the base crop yield and average price, economic analysis showed that growing lettuce in the open field is 43% more profitable than in the high tunnel, while in contrast, high tunnel-grown tomato was three times more profitable than open-field tomato production. Galinato and Miles' new study published in HortTechnology contains specific information about effective regional production practices for tomato and lettuce, variable and fixed costs of production, and potential returns based on defined assumptions about high tunnel or open-field production of each crop.The researchers convened focus groups of three to four growers in western Washington between April and November 2011. The groups were then tasked with developing crop enterprise budgets. Each focus group addressed one crop (lettuce or tomato) and one production system (open field or high tunnel). "We selected the focus group participants based on their experience in growing lettuce or tomato in open field or high tunnel, and their management practices," Galinato said. To develop each crop enterprise budget scenario, the groups designed a hypothetical farm situation; the types of inputs were itemized based on the production system.

"The expected marketable yields of tomato and lettuce are higher when grown in a high tunnel as compared with the open field," the authors said. "However, the higher crop yield achieved in a high tunnel was not sufficient to offset the increased costs of production for lettuce."

The researchers noted that expected crop yield should not be the primary driving force in choosing a high tunnel productions system over the open-field system. "Instead," they suggested, "crop yield in addition to market price of the crop as well as production costs must all be taken into account when examining the profitability for any crop and production system."

### The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortTechnology electronic journal web site: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/23/4/453.abstract

Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of horticultural research, education, and application. More information at ashs.org.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

NASA instrument determines hazards of deep-space radiation

2013-11-19
NASA instrument determines hazards of deep-space radiation Deep-space radiation is a significant danger for interplanetary human space flight. But now an instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has learned more than ever before about the high-energy ...

Researchers test effects of LEDs on leaf lettuce

2013-11-19
Researchers test effects of LEDs on leaf lettuce Mixture of blue and red lights recommended to enhance lettuce quality, yield CHEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA--In the life cycle of plants, most developmental processes are dependent on light. Significant biological ...

Researchers develop technique to convert thermoelectric material into high performance electricity

2013-11-19
Researchers develop technique to convert thermoelectric material into high performance electricity A team of Clemson University physicists consisting of nanomaterial scientists Apparao Rao and Ramakrishna Podila and thermoelectricians Terry Tritt, Jian He and Pooja Puneet ...

The fashion scout and the cop: Scanning the streets with similar methods for different targets

2013-11-19
The fashion scout and the cop: Scanning the streets with similar methods for different targets University of Cincinnati research compares practices used by fashion industry casting directors to the New York City Police Department's controversial stop-and-frisk program. New ...

Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality

2013-11-19
Zinc sulfate, sugar alcohol zinc sprays improve apple quality Study recommends continuing zinc application at critical stages on apple trees SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA--Zinc is vital for the healthy growth and reproduction of all organisms. ...

Asteroids' close encounters with Mars

2013-11-19
Asteroids' close encounters with Mars CAMBRIDGE, MA -- For nearly as long as astronomers have been able to observe asteroids, a question has gone unanswered: Why do the surfaces of most asteroids appear redder than meteorites — the remnants of asteroids ...

Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes

2013-11-19
Researchers classify urban residential desert landscapes Information helps residents and planners create landscape budgets, manage water resources LAS CRUCES, NM--A new study contains valuable information for homeowners and horticulturalists ...

New bale unroller design deemed effective

2013-11-19
New bale unroller design deemed effective Offset round-bale unroller makes mulching more efficient in organic mulch trials LEXINGTON, KY--John Wilhoit and Timothy Coolong from the University of Kentucky have introduced a new technology that ...

First-ever survey of Do-It-Yourself Biology community challenges myths

2013-11-19
First-ever survey of Do-It-Yourself Biology community challenges myths Poll finds 'DIYers' working at community labs on benign, educational experiments WASHINGTON—As the Do-It-Yourself Biology ...

Study: Odds of rehospitalization of cognitively impaired varies by discharge destination

2013-11-19
Study: Odds of rehospitalization of cognitively impaired varies by discharge destination INDIANAPOLIS -- Cognitively impaired older adults released from the hospital are less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they go to a nursing home than if they return ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained

Less intensive works best for agricultural soil

Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation

Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests

Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome

UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership

New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll

Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025

Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025

AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials

New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

Chips off the old block

Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia

Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry

Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19

Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity

State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections

Young adults drive historic decline in smoking

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development

This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack

FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology

In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity

Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects

A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions

AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate

Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative

Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine

[Press-News.org] High tunnel, open-field production systems compared for lettuce, tomato
Scientists in western Washington use crop enterprise budgets to evaluate production practices