07/26/1995

Fruit, Vegetable Research Highlight Cullman Field Day

CULLMAN, Ala. - "We are looking for the ultimate pear--one with excellent flavor and texture, with no grit, but first we have to find a variety that is resistant to fire blight," noted Auburn University researcher Arnold Caylor, speaking to over 75 fruit and vegetable growers at a recent Horticulture Field Day at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation here.

Caylor explained that his research team collected pear varieties from home sites and commercial growers all over the State. At the North Alabama Horticulture Substation, 45 of these varieties are being tested in hopes of finding one that can be grown commercially and by home gardeners in the Sand Mountain area.

The Field Day was co-sponsored by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and Alabama Cooperative Extension Service at Auburn University. It featured a walking tour of fruit and vegetable experiments and explanation of the projects by researchers from Auburn University.

Auburn researcher Eric Simonne showed the visitors a number of tomato, pepper, squash, and cucumber varieties being grown at the Substation under plastic. "Plasticulture requires more time and money, but the payoffs are big," Simonne said. He went on to explain that vegetables grown under plastic can produce four to five times higher yields than those grown on bare ground. In addition, plastic-grown crops mature two and three weeks earlier, giving commercial growers a tremendous marketing advantage.

For several years Auburn researchers have tested kiwi fruit varieties at research stations in the southern and central parts of Alabama. Last year test on kiwis was introduced to the North Alabama Horticulture Substation. For most of the 75-plus attendees, this was their first look at kiwi growing on the vine. "We are in the early stages of this test, but so far the kiwi plants are doing fine," noted AU researcher Billy Dozier. "The real test will be whether the vines can survive winter cold this far north in the state," Dozier concluded.

Dozier and Caylor also showed visitors to the field day some new apple varieties being tested at the 160-acre research facility. Included among the new varieties are six Gala apples from New Zealand, several red varieties that color and size similar to apples grown in Washington and Oregon, and Smoothie, a golden apple that doesn't have russets.

"We are pleased to have such a large turnout," noted Substation Superintendent Marlin Hollingsworth. "I was particularly pleased to see a large number of home gardeners--much of our work is geared to commercial producers, but is applicable to home gardens," he explained.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
by Roy Roberson

July 26, 1995