Fruit Production Systems Research Articles

Viral Diversity in Mixed Tree Fruit Production Systems Determined through Bee-Mediated Pollen Collection

Commercially cultivated Prunus species are commonly grown in adjacent or mixed orchards and can be infected with unique or commonly shared viruses. Apple (Malus domestica), another member of the Rosacea and distantly related to Prunus, can share the same growing regions and common pathogens. Pollen can be a major route for virus transmission, and analysis of the pollen virome in tree fruit orchards can provide insights into these virus pathogen complexes from mixed production sites. Commercial honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination is essential for improved fruit sets and yields in tree fruit production systems. To better understand the pollen-associated virome in tree fruits, metagenomics-based detection of plant viruses was employed on bee and pollen samples collected at four time points during the peak bloom period of apricot, cherry, peach, and apple trees at one orchard site. Twenty-one unique viruses were detected in samples collected during tree fruit blooms, including prune dwarf virus (PDV) and prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) (Genus Ilarvirus, family Bromoviridae), Secoviridae family members tomato necrotic ringspot virus (genus Nepovirus), tobacco necrotic ringspot virus (genus Nepovirus), prunus virus F (genus Fabavirus), and Betaflexiviridae family member cherry virus A (CVA; genus Capillovirus). Viruses were also identified in composite leaf and flower samples to compare the pollen virome with the virome associated with vegetative tissues. At all four time points, a greater diversity of viruses was detected in the bee and pollen samples. Finally, the nucleotide sequence diversity of the coat protein regions of CVA, PDV, and PNRSV was profiled from this site, demonstrating a wide range of sequence diversity in pollen samples from this site. These results demonstrate the benefits of area-wide monitoring through bee pollination activities and provide new insights into the diversity of viruses in tree fruit pollination ecosystems.

Mitigating Emerging and Reemerging Diseases of Fruit and Vegetable Crops in a Changing Climate.

Fruit and vegetable crops are important sources of nutrition and income globally. Producing these high-value crops requires significant investment of often scarce resources, and, therefore, the risks associated with climate change and accompanying disease pressures are especially important. Climate change influences the occurrence and pressure of plant diseases, enabling new pathogens to emerge and old enemies to reemerge. Specific environmental changes attributed to climate change, particularly temperature fluctuations and intense rainfall events, greatly alter fruit and vegetable disease incidence and severity. In turn, fruit and vegetable microbiomes, and subsequently overall plant health, are also affected by climate change. Changing disease pressures cause growers and researchers to reassess disease management and climate change adaptation strategies. Approaches such as climate smart integrated pest management, smart sprayer technology, protected culture cultivation, advanced diagnostics, and new soilborne disease management strategies are providing new tools for specialty crops growers. Researchers and educators need to work closely with growers to establish fruit and vegetable production systems that are resilient and responsive to changing climates. This review explores the effects of climate change on specialty food crops, pathogens, insect vectors, and pathosystems, as well as adaptations needed to ensure optimal plant health and environmental and economic sustainability.

Plant virus diversity in bee and pollen samples from apple (Malus domestica) and sweet cherry (Prunus avium) agroecosystems.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination is widely used in tree fruit production systems to improve fruit set and yield. Many plant viruses can be associated with pollen or transmitted through pollination, and can be detected through bee pollination activities. Honey bees visit multiple plants and flowers in one foraging trip, essentially sampling small amounts of pollen from a wide area. Here we report metagenomics-based area-wide monitoring of plant viruses in cherry (Prunus avium) and apple (Malus domestica) orchards in Creston Valley, British Columbia, Canada, through bee-mediated pollen sampling. Plant viruses were identified in total RNA extracted from bee and pollen samples, and compared with profiles from double stranded RNA extracted from leaf and flower tissues. CVA, PDV, PNRSV, and PVF coat protein nucleotide sequences were aligned and compared for phylogenetic analysis. A wide array of plant viruses were identified in both systems, with cherry virus A (CVA), prune dwarf virus (PDV), prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), and prunus virus F (PVF) most commonly detected. Citrus concave gum associated virus and apple stem grooving virus were only identified in samples collected during apple bloom, demonstrating changing viral profiles from the same site over time. Different profiles of viruses were identified in bee and pollen samples compared to leaf and flower samples reflective of pollen transmission affinity of individual viruses. Phylogenetic and pairwise analysis of the coat protein regions of the four most commonly detected viruses showed unique patterns of nucleotide sequence diversity, which could have implications in their evolution and management approaches. Coat protein sequences of CVA and PVF were broadly diverse with multiple distinct phylogroups identified, while PNRSV and PDV were more conserved. The pollen virome in fruit production systems is incredibly diverse, with CVA, PDV, PNRSV, and PVF widely prevalent in this region. Bee-mediated monitoring in agricultural systems is a powerful approach to study viral diversity and can be used to guide more targeted management approaches.

Mechanism of fruit and vegetable canning production development based on formation of cluster structures

The article is devoted to the formation of the structure of the organizational-economic mechanism for the development of fruit and vegetable canning production in Ukraine. It is determined that the main components of the organizational-economic regulation of activity and development of fruit and vegetable canning production are: regulation of the integrity of the development of enterprises; regulation of innovation and investment activities based on equity; regulation of financial activities; creation of conditions for the implementation of operational activities; conducting practical commercial activities; providing motivating and motivational social conditions; providing information and analytical assessment of the search and control of the use of enterprise resources. The conceptual foundations for creating a new organizational structure for developing fruit and vegetable canning production in Ukraine have been formed. A definition of a new type of cluster structure in the fruit and vegetable canning production system is given. This structure is an organic unity of production, investment, innovation, financial, sales, and other activities of enterprises, united by the chain-network (technological-functional) principle into an interconnected system of functional "fields": production of raw materials, procurement, and storage processing, and marketing. The creation of integrated fruit and vegetable canning structures of the cluster type will solve the problems of industry development through the operation of the organizational and economic mechanism for the development of the industry in the cluster system. The capabilities of the cluster allow to solve the following tasks: meeting the existing and future needs of consumers in quality food products; providing canning enterprises with high-quality raw materials of domestic origin; overcoming price disparity and optimizing the distribution of profits between the links of the technological chain; combining the financial capabilities of enterprises to solve development problems; ensuring guaranteed sales of products at an adequate price for agricultural producers; updating the technical and technological base of production; increasing the economic efficiency of the cluster's production, reducing costs, more precise identification and use of reserves of economic development; dissemination of corporate culture, new methods of work organization, raising collective consciousness, motivation of creative activity; increase in labor productivity; implementation of modern quality management systems; more complete and rational use of resources; solving the problem of staffing. Keywords: agrarian sector, fruit and vegetable canning production, organizational and economic mechanism, integrated structure, clustering, cluster formations.

Effect of Intercropping on Fruit Yield and Financial Benefits of Rosa roxburghii Tratt Orchard in Southwest China

The practice of intercropping in Rosa roxburghii Tratt orchards holds potential for enhancing fruit yield and financial benefits, yet remains insufficiently explored. To address this, we delved into the effects of intercropping on fruit yield and financial viability of R. roxburghii orchards in Longli County, southern China. Orchards of varying ages (4 years old and 5 years old; 7 years old and 8 years old) were subjected to different treatments: (i) Zea mays and Capsicum annuum intercropping, and clean tillage for younger orchards, and (ii) Lolium perenne, natural grass, and clean tillage for older orchards. Each treatment was assessed for its impact on fruit yield and financial benefits. In younger orchards, intercropping with Z. mays and C. annuum did not significantly elevate fruit yield compared to clean tillage in the 4-year-old orchard; however, C. annuum intercropping significantly improved fruit yield in the 5-year-old orchard. Concurrently, intercropping significantly augmented the total financial benefit by 9234.35–10,486.25 CNY ha−1 (Z. mays) and 14,304.90–16,629.18 CNY ha−1 (C. annuum) compared to clean tillage. In older orchards, L. perenne intercropping significantly elevated fruit yield by 598.84–803.64 kg·ha−1, while natural grass reduced it by 394.61–986.24 kg·ha−1, compared to clean tillage. Additionally, L. perenne intercropping significantly boosted the total financial benefit by 8873.92–9956.56 CNY ha−1, whereas natural grass negatively impacted financial benefits by 78.42–2444.94 CNY ha−1 compared to clean tillage. Collectively, our results illustrate that judicious selection of intercrops, based on orchard age and conditions, can significantly enhance both fruit yield and financial advantages in R. roxburghii orchards. This study furnishes vital insights for orchard management and accentuates the prospective merits of intercropping in fruit production systems.

Agro-economic performance of peach orchards under low pesticide use and organic production in a cropping system experimental network in France

A significant reduction in chemical pesticide use is strongly recommended in fruit production systems to reduce environmental and consumer health risks. Our objectives were to assess the consequences of pesticide reduction use on peach orchards’ agronomic and economic performance. Three management strategies were tested at six sites in France during the 2013–2019 period within a network using the system experiment methodology: conventional reference systems (REF) representatives of current commercial orchards, low-input (LI) systems with reduced chemical use and according to Integrated Production guidelines and organic systems (ORG). The last two systems combine many action levers ranging from structural planting strategy and combined with many alternative methods carried out throughout the years to progress towards agroecological orchards. The performance indicators were statically compared to those observed in the conventional REF system growing under the same experimental conditions over seven years. Chemical pesticides were reduced by 55% in LI compared to REF systems (20.4 treatment frequency index). Marketable yield was significantly lower in LI (−13%) than in REF systems (33.0 t ha-1). The reduction in production costs per hectare in LI systems (−11.4%) did not compensate for the decrease in gross revenues (−14.2%), resulting in a significant reduction in margins (gross revenues minus production costs, −15.8%). In the ORG systems, chemical pesticides were reduced by 80% compared to REF systems. The marketable yield was strongly reduced (−68%), but economic margins were close to REF systems thanks to the premium prices. The agroecological systems achieved in a quarter (LI) and half (ORG) of the situations (system x year) a 50% reduction in chemical pesticides and similar margins to the REF system. However, the reduction of pesticides in LI and ORG systems was accompanied by increased production costs expressed per kg of fruit and the lowest yield stability. These results highlight the importance of commercial labels to promote more eco-friendly orchards considering the impact on production costs.

Citrus growers’ willingness to pay and perceptions of cover crops

AbstractThis study develops and uses a survey to gather information on demographics, production and management practices, and perceptions on using cover crops as a conservation practice from citrus growers and utilizes the double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method to measure their willingness to pay (WTP) for adopting cover crops in citrus production. The survey is conducted for citrus producers in Florida and Texas. The study finds that, on average, growers from Florida are willing to pay $509.48/acre per year for adopting cover crops. This is substantially less than the WTP for growers in Texas, who are willing to pay more than $1,000/acre per year for cover crops. The study analyzes the factors that have significant impacts on growers’ WTP for cover crops and discusses the heterogeneity in the grower perceptions on the benefits and drawbacks of using this conservation practice by state. Although using cover crops has not been a popular conservation practice in perennial fruit production systems, its potential to improve soil quality is particularly important for citrus production in Florida where soils are sandy and have low organic matter.

Innovation in tree fruit production system sustainability through horticultural engineering: case studies

Innovation in tree fruit production system sustainability through horticultural engineering: case studies

Quality and Nutritional Parameters of Food in Agri-Food Production Systems.

Organic farming is a production system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic agricultural inputs such as pesticides, growth regulators, highly soluble mineral fertilisers, supplements, preservatives, flavouring, aromatic substances and genetically modified organisms, and their products. This system aims to maintain and increase soil fertility and quality, and relies on systems such as crop rotation, polyculture, intercropping, ecosystem management, covering crops, legumes, organic and bio-fertilisers, mechanical cultivation and biological control methods. The present review summarises and evaluates research comparing the quality of traditionally, organically and conventionally produced foods. In some cases, although the results of the studies contradict each other, organically grown in vegetables, especially berries and fruits are slightly higher dry matter, minerals such as P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn, vitamin C, sugars, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In addition, their sensory properties are more pleasant. The nutritional content, quality and safety of organic foods are acceptable if the recent trends are reviewed, tested and verified. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile, describe and update scientific evidence and data on the quality, safety, bioactive compounds and nutritional and phytochemical quality of foods in traditional and organic fruit, vegetable and cereal production systems.

Selection for, and characterization of, malathion and zeta-cypermethrin resistance in vineyard-collected Drosophila melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster is a pest in vineyards because of its role in sour rot disease. Insecticides are commonly used, particularly late in the season, to control D. melanogaster and thus sour rot. Use of insecticides in vineyards and neighboring fruit production systems has led to the evolution of insecticide resistance in D. melanogaster, which is now widespread to commonly used insecticides like zeta-cypermethrin and malathion. Implementation of resistance management strategies is facilitated by an understanding of the mechanisms and genetics underlying the resistance. Starting with a vineyard-collected strain of D. melanogaster (NY18), we selected for a strain that was 1100-fold resistant to zeta-cypermethrin and one that was 40-fold resistant to malathion. Resistance was inherited as an incompletely dominant trait for zeta-cypermethrin. Resistance to malathion was inherited differently between reciprocal crosses. Insecticide bioassays using insecticide synergists found resistance to zeta-cypermethrin was partly suppressible with either piperonyl butoxide or S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithionate, while resistance to malathion was unchanged by the synergists and mutations in Ace associated with the resistance were found. Resistance to zeta-cypermethrin is most likely due to enhanced detoxification, while the results with malathion were associated with two Ace alleles. How the newly selected strains can facilitate diagnostic tools for the identification of the mutations causing the resistance is discussed. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Can Knowledge-Based Practices Achieve High Yields with Lower Input and GHG Emissions in the Chinese Orchard System?

The continuous improvement of the Chinese people’s lifestyle and consumption level and the promotion of healthful and reasonable diets have created a greater demand for fruit production. There is an urgent to determine how to meet the increasing demand for fruit, with lower inputs and environmental costs, because the Chinese fruit production has excessive agricultural input and relatively high environmental burden of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study conducted a meta-analysis of the experimental results of 307 conventional management measures and 333 optimized management measures. We found that by taking appropriate optimization measures such as N reduction, coupling of water and fertilizer and increasing organic carbon, has not only the fruit yield increased by 16.1% (5 Mg ha −1 year −1 ) but also the GHG emissions of the entire orchard system have also been drastically reduced by 65.4%. Net GHG balance has decreased from 11.3 ± 0.3 to 3.9 ± 0.3 Mg of CO 2 equivalent (CO 2 e) ha −1 year −1 , and GHG intensity per unit product has decreased from 3.6 ± 0.1 to 1.1 ± 0.1 kg of CO 2 e kg −1 . The main sources of total GHG emissions are from upstream production and transportation, due to N fertilizer application, mechanical irrigation energy, and N-fertilizer-induced soil N 2 O emissions. Our results highlight that the Chinese fruit production system has a large room to reduce GHG emissions by applying the mentioned optimization measures in above, and our findings will provide some guidance for agricultural carbon peak.

Substitution of manure for mineral P fertilizers increases P availability by enhancing microbial potential for organic P mineralization in greenhouse soil.

The shortage of phosphorus (P) as a resource represents a major challenge for the sustainable development of agriculture. Manure has a high P content and is a potential substitute for mineral P fertilizers. However, little is known about the effects on soil P availability and soil microbial P transformation of substituting manure for mineral P fertilizers. In this study, variations in soil P availability and bacterial P mobilization were evaluated under treatment with manure as compared to mineral P fertilizers. In the greenhouse fruit and vegetable production system that provided the setting for the study, substitution of manure for mineral P (PoR treatment) resulted in a similar level of soil total P and a similar fruit and vegetable yield as compared to traditional fertilization, but a significantly increased level of soil available P. In addition, PoR treatment enhanced bacterial organic P mineralization potential and decreased inorganic P dissolution potential. These results demonstrate that manure application increases the availability of soil P primarily by enhancing soil microbial Po mineralization, indicating the potential feasibility of applying manure instead of mineral P fertilizers in greenhouse farming.

Opportunities for carbon sequestration in intensive soft fruit production systems

Abstract The historical contribution of agriculture to human-induced climate change is indisputable; the removal of natural vegetation and soil cultivation to feed the growing human population has resulted in a substantial carbon transfer to the atmosphere. While maintaining their food production capacity, soft fruit production systems now have an opportunity to utilise a recent technology change to enhance their carbon sequestration capacity. We use an example of a farm in South-East England to illustrate how the soft fruit crop production system can be optimised for carbon storage. We performed an audit of carbon stocks in the soil and tree biomass and show that it is imperative to plan crop rotation to establish (semi) permanent inter-row strips that will remain in situ even if the main crop is replaced. These strips should be covered with grassland vegetation, preferable with deeper rooting grass species mixed with species supporting nitrogen fixation. Finally, grassland mowing cuttings should be left in situ and hedgerows and tree windbreaks should be expanded across the farm. Modern soft fruit production systems can enhance their carbon storage while maintaining commercially relevant levels of productivity.

Main criteria and parameters in selecting strawberry varieties suitable for integrated fruits production

The researches were held in 2011-2019 on the base of strawberry experimental sites in the Experimental Production Association of the I. V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center (Michurinsk, Tambov Region, RF). The purpose of the research was to identify criteria and parameters for evaluating strawberry varieties suitable for integrated cultivation technology, and to improve the commercial assortment. Plants of 45 introduced varieties were studied in strawberry plantations established in 2010-2016. The results of the analysis of the Register of strawberry varieties allowed for use on the territory of the Russian Federation and the region are presented. The principal problems of improving the assortment of strawberry are shown taking into account different cultivation systems. On the base of system analysis of experiment results main criteria and parameters were indicated. They allow us to evaluate the strawberry varieties suitable for the system of integrated production. The folloving sequence for evaluating strawberry varieties is recommended: adaptive capacity (abiotic, biotic and edaphic factors), commercial quality, transportability, productivity, consumption qualities marketability at post-harvest period, season of ripening; simultaneous ripening and number of harvesting. Introduced strawberry varieties have been identified that meet the parameters of the developed assessment, which formed the basis of an commercial assortment suitable for the integrated fruit production system. These are varieties with ripening dates: very early ('Flair', 'НФ311), early ('Elianneу', 'Maya', 'НФ 421', 'Fleurette'), medium ('Isaritsa', 'НФ 205', 'Marmolada', 'Vima Xima'), late ('Florence', 'Malwina'), very late ('Flamenko', 'Monterey', 'San Andreas'). They make it possible to significantly expand the period of strawberry production with high marketability, which is expressed in an increase in the share of the output of products of the highest and first commercial varieties during the life of the plantations (65-90 %).

Eco-efficiency analysis of selected tropical fruit production systems in Iran

Eco-efficiency analysis of selected tropical fruit production systems in Iran

Light use efficiency of lettuce cultivation in vertical farms compared with greenhouse and field

AbstractVertical farming is a relatively new fresh fruit and vegetable production system, where lamps (mostly light emitting diodes [LED]) are the sole light source. A high light use efficiency (LUEinc), defined as shoot dry weight per incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD; g mol−1) integral, is crucial for the economic viability of vertical farming. Very different values for LUEinc have been reported in the literature and it is not clear whether LUEinc is higher in vertical farming than in greenhouse or open field cultivation. Values of LUEinc of lettuce grown in a vertical farm (53 studies), greenhouse (13 studies) and open field (8 studies) were collected from literature, as well as relevant cultivation aspects such as lettuce weight at harvest, cultivation period (plant age at harvest), daily light integral, cumulative daily light integral for the whole cultivation period, planting density and CO2 concentration. The average LUEinc for lettuce grown in a vertical farm was 0.55 g mol−1 which was higher than 0.39 g mol−1 for greenhouse‐grown lettuce. Both were substantially higher than for field‐grown lettuce (0.23 g mol−1). The maximum measured LUEinc for lettuce grown in a vertical farm (1.63 g mol−1) is close to the published maximum theoretical value, which ranges from 1.26 to 1.81 g mol−1. Since all environmental factors can be fully controlled, vertical farming has the capability to achieve the theoretical maximum LUEinc. Using the highest reported LUEinc based on shoot fresh weight (44 g mol−1 at 200 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD and 16 h photoperiod), it is estimated that each layer of a vertical farm can potentially produce annually up to 700 kg of lettuce per m2 at 500 μmol m−2 s−1 of continuous light.

Sustainability and circularity in fruit and vegetable production. Perceptions and practices of reduction and valorization of agricultural waste biomass in south-eastern Spain

This study aims to conduct an exploratory and comparative analysis between Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations (FVPOs) and fruit and vegetable producers that are not part of these organizations (Non-FVPOs) regarding the prioritization, perception, and adoption of sustainable and circular practices. For this purpose, data was collected from both groups through an online survey. Statistical techniques for the comparison of two independent groups (chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test) were used to examine the differences on a sample of 14 FVPOs and 22 Non-FVPOs from Spain. Although the results show more similarities than differences between the two groups, they highlight that FVPOs are more likely to prioritize environmental factors and implement both green manuring and biodegradable raffia as the main Agricultural Waste Biomass (AWB) reduction and/or valorization practices. In addition, the findings point to the relevance of environmental considerations and specifically to the Sustainable and Circular Production Models (SCPMs) as an alternative to the traditional fruit and vegetable production system. Theoretically, the results mainly contradict resource and first mover advantage arguments by revealing that more resourceful organizations do not necessarily possess better environmental management. This study also provides innovative information and relevant contributions for governments. It allows them to identify aspects that should be strengthened in relation to policies, regulatory frameworks, and/or strategies that promote sustainable and circular production systems for both FVPOs and Non-FVPOs. In addition, it contributes with implications, for organizations and farmers, how to improve actions and opportunities to advance the transition to SCPMs.

Fruit Production Planning in Semiarid Zones: A Novel Triangular Intuitionistic Fuzzy Linear Programming Approach

A triangular intuitionistic fuzzy linear programming (TIFLP) model is formulated for the planning of sustainable fruit production system for hyperarid regions while assuming the availability of resources and existing knowledge. A remarkable advancement is achieved through the composition of intuitionistic fuzzy concept with the linear programming by considering all parameters and variables in the form of triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, which provides a planning or strategic tool for handling uncertain situations with more control and in a realistic way. This fuzzy optimization model is redesigning the feasible region obtained by linear programming which is presented in graphical form. Moreover, the practical application and implementation of this fruit production system for planning in real-life scenarios are accomplished considering the case study of fruit orchards of Baluchistan, Pakistan.

Melatonin affects cuticular wax profile in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) during fruit development

Cuticular wax has been implicated in the first line of plant defense mechanism against external stresses. In this study, cuticular wax on the fruits of two rabbiteye blueberry cultivars cv. Baldwin and Brightwell were examined in terms of the morphology and chemical composition during fruit development in the presence and absence of pre-harvest melatonin (MT) treatment. It revealed that the crystal wax appeared as numerous tubules, and its morphology was not affected by MT treatment. A dominant constituent of triterpenoid at veraison stage was β-amyrin (45.62% of total wax) in Baldwin and oleanolic acid (22.79% of total wax) in Brightwell. Exogenous MT application significantly promoted fruit quality and increased total content of cuticular wax, however, the effect of MT on individual wax components greatly varied depending on cultivars and fruit developmental stage. Consequently, MT application may enhance sustainability of post-harvest fruit production systems by facilitating accumulation of cuticular wax.

Adoption and perception of cover crop implementation for tropical fruit growers

Cover cropping is a sustainable strategy for increasing soil nutrients and organic matter, and improving overall soil health. This practice is heavily promoted for annual vegetable growers; however, there is less widespread acknowledgement for cover crops as a management strategy in perennial settings. Research is limited in this field, specifically when considering cover cropping for tropical fruit groves. The current study analyzes data from surveys distributed to Miami-Dade County (MDC) tropical fruit producers to quantify their perceptions on incorporating cover crops in their fruit production systems. Two surveys were formulated and distributed virtually to understand farmer familiarity/interest in cover cropping and to uncover factors that impact likelihood of cover crop adoption. Logistic regression analysis of cover crop adoption revealed that having previous experience with cover crops, valuing cover crop importance, perceiving the practice as economically viable, and farm acreage were all positive predictors of cover crop adoption. When questioned about specific tropical leguminous cover crop species, sunn hemp (<i>Crotalaria juncea</i> L.) and velvet bean (<i>Mucuna pruriens</i> [L.] DC), farmers expressed ~5% greater interest in incorporating sunn hemp into their production systems. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed that 90% of surveyed farmers were interested in learning more about cover crops and 85% were likely to attend demonstrative workshops to discern if implementing cover crops would be right for their operation. Overall, the findings suggest that MDC fruit producers are interested in incorporating cover cropping practices with 80% of respondents indicating they would like to improve conservation practices within their production systems. Applying cover crops can potentially improve soil quality and reduce erosion in the MDC agricultural area and in other regions where perennial fruit crop production is prominent. Additionally, implementation of cover cropping as a substitute to reduce usage of synthetic fertilizers has positive implications to decrease nutrient loads in the imperiled ecosystems of Florida Bay and the Everglades.