Diverse vegetable production systems in Washington State range from large-scale, processed vegetable production in Central Washington (e.g., potatoes for french fries) to diversified fresh-market vegetable production, to vegetable seed production. These systems range from traditional conventional production to integrated to organic and are significant for local, regional, national, global and processed markets. Each of these production systems as well as sub-regions of Washington state have unique challenges to sustainable production. CSANR has supported research on a variety of vegetable production issues including fertility, nutrition, crop protection, diversification and soil quality.
Featured Publications
Climate analogs can catalyze cross-regional dialogs for US specialty crop adaptation
Chaudhary, S., Rajagopalan, K., Kruger, C.E., Brady, M.P., Fraisse, C.W., Gustafson, D.I., Hall, S.A., Hoogenboom, G., Melnick, R., Reyes, J., Stockle, C.O., Sulser, T.B. 2023. Climate analogs can catalyze cross-regional dialogs for US specialty crop adaptation. Scientific Reports 13, 9317. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35887-x
Effects of Mykos Gold Granular, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculant, on pink root, white rot, and crop growth in spring- and fall-planted sweet onion crops near Walla Walla, WA, 2017-2018. (PDF)
du Toit, L.J., Derie, M.L., Holmes, B.J., Miller, C.E., Morgan, P., Brouwer, L.R., Waters, T.D., and Darner, J. 2020. Plant Disease Management Reports 14:V060.
Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculant and a mycorrhizal stimulant on pink root and productivity of dehydration onion crops near Paterson, WA, 2016. (PDF)
du Toit, L.J., Derie, M.L., Holmes, B.J., Winkler, L.R., Waters, T.D., and Darner, J. 2020. Plant Disease Management Reports 14:V062.
Effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculants on pink root and yield in an onion crop near Othello, WA, 2017. (PDF)
du Toit, L.J., Derie, M.L., Holmes, B.J., Miller, C.E., Brouwer, L.R., Waters, T.D., and Darner, J. 2020. Plant Disease Management Reports 14:V061.
The effect of formulation and application method of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculants on onion seedlings in a growth chamber study, 2016. (PDF)
du Toit, L.J., Brouwer, L.R., Derie, M.L., Henrichs, B.A., Holmes, B.J., and Waters, T.D. 2020. Plant Disease Management Reports 14:V059.
Concomitant phytonutrient and transcriptome analysis of mature fruit and leaf tissues of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Oregon Spring) grown using organic and conventional fertilizer
Sharpe RM, Gustafson L, Hewitt S, Kilian B, Crabb J, Hendrickson C, et al. (2020) Concomitant phytonutrient and transcriptome analysis of mature fruit and leaf tissues of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Oregon Spring) grown using organic and conventional fertilizer.
Farmer-to-Farmer & Rancher-to-Rancher Case Studies Series
Authors include: Yorgey, G., Borrelli, K., Painter, K., Davis, H., Hall, S., Hudson, T., Neibergs, S., Reeves, M., Kruger, C., McGuire A., Finkelnburg, D., Roe, D., Brooks, E., and Kantor, S. 2016-2019. PNW Extension Publications and videos. These series explore strategies that innovative regional farmers and ranchers are using that enhance resilience to climate change and […]
Safeguarding Potato Cropping Systems in the Pacific Northwest Through Improved Soil Health (PDF)
Hills, K., H. Collins, G. Yorgey, A. McGuire, C. Kruger. 2018. Report prepared for the Washington State Potato Commission. Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University. 96 pp. (large file: 13 MB)
Video: Reduced tillage in organic vegetable production
Sullivan D. and D.P. Collins. 2018. WSU Extension Video. This video is intended for organic vegetable producers and agricultural professionals, especially in the maritime northwest. Techniques and findings from recent research are shared to assist producers in trialing reduced tillage systems. The video covers the concept of reduced tillage organic agriculture, cover crop and weed management, […]
Strip tillage of vegetables with livestock integration: Eric Williamson (Farmer to Farmer Case Study Videos).
Yorgey, G.G., K. Borrelli, A. McGuire, and K. Painter. 2017. Produced by Darrell Kilgore and CAHNRS Communications. Pullman, WA.
Pythium species associated with damping-off of pea in certified organic fields in the Columbia Basin of central Washington (PDF)
Alcala, A.C., Paulitz, T.C., Schroeder, K.L., Porter, L.D., Derie, M.L., and du Toit, L.J. 2016. Plant Disease 100:916-925.
Soil physical properties, nitrogen, and crop yield in organic vegetable production systems
Cogger, C, A. Bary, A. Fortuna, L. Myhre, and D.P. Collins. 2016. Agronomy Journal. 108:1142-1154
Cover crop effects on light, nitrogen, and weeds in organic reduced tillage
Wayman, S., C. Cogger, D. P. Collins, C. Benedict, I. Burke, and A. Bary. 2015. 39:6, 647-665, DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2015.1018398
Management to Reduce Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Organic Vegetable Production Systems
Cogger, C., A. Fortuna, D. Collins. Feb 27, 2014. The second of a two-part webinar series.
The influence of cover crop variety, termination timing, and termination method on mulch, weed cover, and soil nitrate in organic reduced-tillage
Wayman, S., C. Cogger, C. Benedict, I. Burke, D. P. Collins, and A. Bary. 2014. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. FirstView: 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1742170514000246.
Soil Testing: A Guide for Farms with Diverse Vegetable Crops
Collins, D. 2012. Washington State University Extension. EM050E.
WSU Vegetable Research and Extension
Vegetable crop production and alternative crop development such as edamame, wasabi, bamboo, and organic seed production. Work is targeted for both small-scale and large commercial growers, with emphasis on organic production. Links include new fact sheets and information on grafted vegetables http://vegetables.wsu.edu/graftingVegetables.html .
Organic Farming Systems
In 2003 an organic vegetable production systems experiment was established on organically certified research land at WSU Puyallup. The experiment compares 12 organic management systems, including three cover cropping systems, 2 tillage treatments, and 2 amendment types, arranged in a split-split plot design.
Additional Publications
Supply chains for processed potato and tomato products in the United States will have enhanced resilience with planting adaptation strategies
D. Gustafson, S. Asseng, J. Kruse, G. Thoma, K. Guan, G. Hoogenboom, M. Matlock, M. Mclean, R. Parajuli, K. Rajagopalan, C. Stöckle, T. Sulser, L. Tarar, K. Wiebe, C. Fraisse, C. Gimenez, W. Intarapapong, T. Karimi, C. Kruger, Y. Li, E. Marshall, R. Nelson, A. Pronk, R. Raymundo, A. Riddle, M. Rosenbohm, D. Sonke, F. […]
Adoption potential and perceptions of reduced tillage among organic farmers in the maritime Pacific Northwest
Corbin, A., D.P. Collins, R. Krebill-Prather, C. Benedict, and D. Moore. 2013. eXtension Foundation, eOrganic Community of Practice.
Male flower formation is critical for fruit set in summer squash – June 2010 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Organic Fertigation Products – April 2010 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Organic horticulture expands globally
Granatstein, D., Kirby, E., Willer, H. 2010. Chronica Hort. December 2010. 50(4):31-38.
Silver Scurf Caused by Helminthosporium solani Can Be A Polycyclic Disease on Below Ground Potato Tubers – April 2010 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Physiological Leaf Roll of Tomato – December 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Growing Vegetables in Areas Where Soils Were Contaminated with Heavy Metals – March 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Management of Damping-off in Organic Vegetable Crops in the Pacific Northwest – December 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Unique Vegetables: Climbing Cucurbits – May 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Browse all Vegetable Publications
External Links
- eXtension
- Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
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