ARS | Publication request: OTHER VEGETABLES, ALTERNATIVES TO ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

Submitted to: Proceedings of Horticultural Industry Show
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 6, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Research was conducted to determine the feasibility of using vegetable crops to diversify cropping systems in the southern plains. Artichoke and carrots for processing were not good candidates because of poor performance. Bunch onions, radicchio, sweet potato, and tomatoes for processing were marginal due to low yields and lack of established markets. .Dry bean, eggplant, jalepeno and sweet banana peppers, and pink banana squash performed well and have potential markets in the region. Pink banana squash, dry beans, and jalepeno and sweet banana peppers are widely used in processed products. Also, bell pepper and cucumber appeared to have the best probability for success in a diversified cropping system. They are important vegetable crops nation wide and demand is fairly constant.

Technical Abstract: Prior to a vegetable crop being used in a successful production system is necessary to make preliminary determinations as to there ability to be grown in an area. Artichokes, bunch onions, carrots for processing, dry navy bean, eggplant, non-bell peppers, pink banana squash, radicchio, sweet potato, and tomatoes for processing were examined for use in cropping systems. Variables examined included bedding types, cultivar, fertilizer, liming, mulch, planting date, and spacing. Those crops that did not produce acceptable yields were artichoke and carrots for processing; those that produced marginal yields, or require more research were bunch onions, radicchio, sweet potato, and tomatoes for processing; and those which produced yields at, or above, norms were dry navy bean, eggplant, non-bell peppers and pink banana squash. Of the latter dry navy bean, non-bell peppers, and pink banana squash can be used in value added products.