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Abstract

Gayle, G.A. M.R. Reddy, O. Yeboah, V. Ofori-Boadu, M. Reyes, K.O. Taylor and M. Washington. 2009. Using high tunnels to modify environmental conditions to extend the growing season of vegetable crops. JEMREST 6:00-00

DOI: 10.4029/2009jemrest6no15

High tunnels can provide control of environmental conditions and are therefore useful for extension of the growing season of specialty crops. Farmers with limited amount of land can produce specialty crops in high tunnels and improve their quality of life while providing a safe and consistent supply of small fruits and vegetables in the off-season. This study was to enhance the income of small and medium size farmers by extending the growing season in late fall and early spring using high tunnels to modify environmental conditions.

Two high tunnels were constructed on a small farm in Eastern North Carolina. Two varieties of tomatoes, BHN 444 and Celebrity, were planted in the tunnels irrigation by the International Development Enterprise (IDE) Drip System. Crop growth was satisfactory and tomato yield from BHN 444 was significantly higher than Celebrity. There was more disease problem in Celebrity than BHN444.