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Caylor Named Superintendent of AU Research Station in Cullman
CULLMAN, Ala. - Arnold Caylor, a native of Defuniak Springs, Fla., has been named superintendent of the North Alabama Horticulture Substation in Cullman, according to a recent announcement by James E. Marion, director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture.
"We are most fortunate to have a scientist of Arnold Caylor's skills and experience to head our research program at the Cullman station," Marion said. "Arnold worked extensively at a number of our research facilities during his time in the Horticulture Department, so he has some valuable insights as to how the overall system works and is already closely acquainted with many of the researchers who work at the North Alabama Horticulture Substation."
Caylor has served as interim superintendent since the retirement of Marlin Hollingsworth in July 1995. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in horticulture from Auburn and has worked in the AU Horticulture Department since 1983. He also operated his own u-pick operation in Florida and served a stint in the U.S. Navy.
The 16-acre North Alabama Horticulture Substation has a long history of fruit and vegetable research. Much of the early work in establishing a foundation seed stock program for sweet potatoes was done at the Auburn research facility. The station has been the site of numerous peach, plum, and apple studies, though pears and apples currently dominate the research agenda.
"We are looking at 43 varieties of European-type pear collected from homeowners across the state in hopes of finding one or more varieties that are well suited to commercial production," Caylor noted. "Some of these pear varieties come from trees that are well over 100 years old, and we hope that some of these will be suited to commercial production. We know some of them will be real good for home use."
The substation is also home to 35-40 vegetable tests annually. Current crops being used in tests that run the gamut from fertility to integrated pest management include: potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelon, asparagus, cucumber, pumpkins, winter squash, peppers, okra, lettuce, collards and cabbage.
"One of the more interesting of these tests is a plant spacing study with red potatoes. B-grade potatoes, which are smaller than A-grade, sell for a higher price. Obviously, the more B's a grower produces, the more money he makes. We are looking at four-, six-, eight- and 10-inch plant spacing, with the idea being that closer spacings produce more B-grade potatoes," Caylor explained.
The Auburn researcher also noted that a new project on shade trees is being established this year. "We are looking at ash and red maple for use as shade trees this year and hope to establish more red maples and sugar maples next year," Caylor said.
"There has always been a great deal of community involvement with the station here in Cullman, and we hope to continue and expand that relationship," Caylor noted. "Growers play a big role in the overall research program throughout the Experiment Station system, many times pointing out production problems that need to be addressed by research. So, we encourage growers, both commercial and backyard gardeners, to come out and see what we do here."
The new superintendent also noted that a Fruit and Vegetable Field Day has been tentatively set for July 17 at the station. This will give everyone an opportunity to see the summer fruit and vegetable projects at their peak.
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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
