Vegetables

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

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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.

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.

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Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculant and a mycorrhizal stimulant on pink root and productivity of dehydration onion crops near Paterson, WA, 2016.

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.

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Effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculants on pink root and yield in an onion crop near Othello, WA, 2017.

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.

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The effect of formulation and application method of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculants on onion seedlings in a growth chamber study, 2016.

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.

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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.

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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 other future challenges. Case studies highlight producers in dryland and irrigated annual cropping, rangeland, and dairy production systems. Practices relate to soil health, diversification, responsive management, and many others.

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Safeguarding Potato Cropping Systems in the Pacific Northwest Through Improved Soil Health

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)

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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, and specialized equipment.

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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.

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Pythium species associated with damping-off of pea in certified organic fields in the Columbia Basin of central Washington

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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Soil Testing: A Guide for Farms with Diverse Vegetable Crops

Collins, D. 2012. Washington State University Extension. EM050E.

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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 .

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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.

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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. van Evert, G. Wu, L. Xiao, C. Zhao. 2021. Supply chains for processed potato and tomato products in the United States will have enhanced resilience with planting adaptation strategies. Nature Food 2:11, 862-872.

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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.

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