High-density Planting in a Precision Cultural System for Vegetable Production

Abstract

<jats:p>A cultural system consisting of precision seeding on shaped beds, followed by cultivation using mechanically guided equipment, was developed and evaluated with several vegetable crops. The precision cultural system allowed for growing the crops at high plant populations by using precision planting and exact cultivation of multiple narrow rows of plants on wide beds. Eight field experiments were conducted <jats:italic>from 1987</jats:italic> to 1989 on broccoli <jats:italic>(Brassica</jats:italic> oleracea var. <jats:italic>botrytis</jats:italic> L.), cabbage <jats:italic>(Bra&amp;a oleracea</jats:italic> var. <jats:italic>capitata</jats:italic> L.), mustard <jats:italic>(Brassica juncea</jats:italic> var. <jats:italic>crispfolia</jats:italic> L.), and spinach <jats:italic>(Spinacia oleracea</jats:italic> L.) to evaluate production of these crops on single- and multiple-row configurations on narrow (1 -m) and wide (2-m) beds. The precision cultural system was assessed to be an excellent method for production of the small-seeded crops that were tested. Yield was highest for cabbage, mustard, and spinach planted in six rows on 2-m beds compared with four-, two-, or one-row beds. Multiple-row configurations did offer yield advantages over the single-row configuration for broccoli production.</jats:p>

Effect of Agronomic Practices on Yield and Quality of Borage at Harvest and During Storage as Minimally-Processed Produce

“…The rise of plant density in lettuce, cabbage, mustard, and spinach cultivations determines a significant reduction of plant fresh and dry weight caused by the increased competition for nutrients, water and light among the plants. As found in this experiment for borage, the other leafy vegetables reached the highest yield at closer spacing due to the increase in the number of plants per unit area [20,[29][30][31]. Table 2.…”

Current Developments in Seeders and Transplanters for Vegetable Crops

“…The use of precision seeders is a well established practice in commercial vegetable production. Bracy et al (1991) discussed the use of precision seeders as part of a precision cultural system for vegetables. They mounted precision seeder units directly on bed shapers so that the rows would be precisely located on the beds and therefore easy to cultivate precisely using cone guide wheels.…”