Small-scale Vegetable Production Research Articles

Strengths and Weaknesses of Non-chemical Weed Management Strategies in Small-scale Vegetable Production

Weeds are continuing to create problems for vegetable growers more than ever before due to climate change, frequent cultivation, and the evolution of herbicide resistance. Weeds not only decrease vegetable yields but also reduce their quality. This case study aims to investigate weed management strategies, their strengths and weaknesses, and, the scope for improvements in a small-scale vegetable garden in Australia. The Armidale community garden in the New England region was selected for this study because of its wider types of vegetable production. The data was collected by observing and, taking an in-depth and unstructured interview of the convener of the garden. The study showed that the growers only use non-chemical weed management strategies to tackle the predicament. Mechanical and cultural methods including mulching, hand weeding, tillage, and grazing are mainly used to manage the weed infestation in the vegetable garden. Among them mulching with wood chips and hand weeding were considered more effective in minimizing the weed competition during the critical periods of crop development but they could not reach a satisfactory level. Thus, further improvements by integrating several approaches simultaneously are needed to control weeds more effectively and economically. The outcomes of the study will benefit both conventional and organic vegetable producers as well as researchers to keep weed populations at a manageable level.

Urban Horticulture for Sustainable Food Production and Food Security

Sufficient food production, stable food supply, and environmental protection in urban surroundings aremajor global concerns for future sustainable cities. This is due to exponential population growth, increasingurban dwellings, climate change, and limited natural resources. The solution to these problems lies inthe plantation of fruit and vegetable home gardens, the utilization of rooftops and small plots for small-scalevegetable production, which can provide families with sufficient production and for income generation.But there is a need, to integrate information technology tools, breeding crops suited for urban farming, andclosing the on water, waste, and energy, to help maintain consistent food supply as well as make agriculture more sustainable.This review discusses the significant features of contemporary urban horticulture, inaddition to illustrating traditional, technology and innovations essential for urban horticulture to meet allfood and nutritional requirements of growing urban populations.

Potential and Actual Water Savings through Improved Irrigation Scheduling in Small-Scale Vegetable Production

Appropriate irrigation scheduling for efficient water use is often a challenge for small-scale farmers using drip irrigation. In a trial with 12 farmers in Sébaco, Nicaragua, two tools to facilitate irrigation scheduling were tested: the Water Chart (a table indicating required irrigation doses) and tensiometers. The study aimed at evaluating if and to what extent simple tools can reduce irrigation water use and improve water productivity in drip-irrigated vegetable (beetroot; Beta vulgaris L.) production compared with the farmers’ usual practice. Irrigation water use was substantially reduced (around 20%) when farmers irrigated according to the tools. However, farmers did not fully adhere to the tool guidance, probably because they feared that their crop would not get sufficient water. Thus they still over-irrigated their crop: between 38% and 88% more water than recommended was used during the treatment period, resulting in 91% to 139% higher water use than required over the entire growing cycle. Water productivity of beetroot production was, therefore, much lower (around 3 kg/m3) than what can be achieved under comparable conditions, although yields were decent. Differences in crop yield and water productivity among treatments were not significant. The simplified Water Chart was not sufficiently understandable to farmers (and technicians), whereas tensiometers were better perceived, although they do not provide any indication on how much water to apply. We conclude that innovations such as drip irrigation or improved irrigation scheduling have to be appropriately introduced, e.g., by taking sufficient time to co-produce a common understanding about the technologies and their possible usefulness, and by ensuring adequate follow-up support.

Factors affecting profitability of small-scale vegetable production in the Visayas

This study was conducted to assess the profitability of small-scale vegetable production in the Visayas, particularly in the islands Leyte, Samar and Bohol. The data used in the study was taken from baseline survey on vegetable production in the Visayas. Descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analyses were used in analysing factors that influence profitability. Results show that significant factors that affect profitability include cropping practices and market outlets. This suggests that profitability of small-scale vegetable production measured in terms of gross margins will tend to increase with the practice of multi-cropping and intercropping systems. With limited farm size, farmers can maximize the yield of vegetable production through intercropping and multi-cropping practice. In addition, primary market outlet affects profitability implying that better access to market translates to higher profitability. Results of the study suggest that to improve profitability of farmers in Leyte, Samar and Bohol, policy makers, researchers and technician should focus on optimizing cropping system. Farmers should be trained to identify vegetables that produces better yield in an intercropping and multi-cropping system. This should also be complemented with better access to market. Farm to market road should be improved so that farmers can easily link their production to the market.

Profitability of Small Scale Vegetable Production in Southern District, Botswana

Government determination to eradicate extreme poverty and food insecurity among Batswana through small scale vegetable production program appears not to transform their economic stance. Rural households that are part of Poverty Eradication Programme were investigated to determine if backyard gardens were profitable enough to improve incomes, reduce extreme poverty, and increase food security. The study aimed at analysing profitability and identifying factors that affect profitability of backyard gardening. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 rural households who are part of the backyard garden scheme. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and regression analysis. Results indicated that backyard gardening was a viable activity though profitability was affected by amount of fertilizer applied, market availability and area planted. Beneficiaries indicated that the production and marketing constraints they faced included pests and diseases, lack of water, lack of market and poor prices. Program leaders must recognize the production and marketing constraints themselves as well as plan for the possibility that continual financial support for investment in the initial years of operation.

Fall-sown cover crops as mulches for weed suppression in organic small-scale diversified vegetable production

AbstractCover crop-based reduced tillage (CCBRT) has achieved positive impacts in organic row crop systems, contributing to the conservation of soil resources and the facilitation of weed management. This technique, which uses cover crop residues as mulches to suppress weeds, has shown more variable success in organic vegetable production systems. This experiment examined CCBRT for small-scale organic vegetable production in the upper Midwestern USA, specifically evaluating weed suppression, labor inputs and crop yields. Cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) were fall-sown in 2012 and 2013 in a strip-plot design, including control treatments with no cover crop and spring-applied oat straw mulch. Cover crop plots were strip-tilled in mid-April to establish a planting zone, with cover crops terminated in late May at anthesis with a hand-tractor mounted sickle-bar mower. Bell peppers (Capsicum annuumL. var. ‘Revolution’), snap beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL. var. ‘Tavera’), and potatoes (Solanum tuberosumL. var. ‘Red La Soda’) were hand-planted either as transplants or seed in each treatment immediately following cover crop termination. During each summer growing season, weeds were completely eliminated from each plot by hand approximately every 10–14 days, with time for manual weeding recorded for each treatment. Vegetable crop yields and quality were measured at harvest during 2013 and 2014. Cereal rye and winter wheat produced similar biomass at the time of termination. Greater weed biomass was collected in the wheat treatment as compared with the cereal rye, increasing the in-season labor required for manual weeding. Bean yields were decreased in the all CCBRT treatments compared with control treatments in both years of the study. Pepper yields did not differ in CCBRT treatments as compared with the control in both 2012 and 2013, although the CCBRT treatments did yield lower marketable peppers compared with the straw mulch plots. Potato tuber yields were not different in the CCBRT treatments as compared with the control in 2012, but were lower in 2013. These data indicate that, if CCBRT is to be more widely adopted in small-scale vegetable production, further optimization of the system must be achieved to ensure consistent and adequate weed suppression while maintaining crop yield and quality.

Evaluating farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change: A case study of Kaou local government area, Tahoua State, Niger Republic.

The study discusses local farmers’ strategies of coping with and building resilience against the negative impact of climate change. Information for the discussion was from data collected using a set of structured questionnaires from interviews scheduled with 128 farmers. The questionnaire was based on previous literature and direct reconnaissance interview with farmers, which culminated in 13 strategies used for the study being reported. For each question, respondents were asked to choose their best and worst strategies. Thus, the difference between the best and worst strategies consistent with random utility theory has been used for the modelling. Results show that semi-transhumance, various handicrafts making, rural migration, small-scale vegetable production and small-scale river exploitation were the most important strategies identified, whilst water transport and vending, shifting cultivation, gypsum mining, gathering and trading of wild fruits and edible plants as well as cattle and sheep fattening were the least appreciated strategies identified amongst the farmers facing climate change. These findings are therefore imperative for planning farmers’ capacity-building and resilience against climate change projects to ensure sustainability in the study area.

Espresso coffee residues as a nitrogen amendment for small-scale vegetable production.

Espresso coffee grounds constitute a residue which is produced daily in considerable amounts, and is often pointed out as being potentially interesting for plant nutrition. Two experiments (incubations and field experiments) were carried out to evaluate the potential nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply for carrot (Daucus carota L.), spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) nutrition. Immobilisation of nitrogen and phosphorus was detected in all the incubations and, in the field experiments, germination and yield growth were decreased by the presence of espresso coffee grounds, in general for all the species studied. The study showed an inhibition of N and P mineralisation and a reduction of plant germination and growth. Further research is required to determine whether this is related to the immobilising capacity of the residue or possibly due to the presence of caffeine.

Vulnerable Groups’ Involvement in Small-scale Vegetable Production: A Panacea for Poverty and Food Insecurity?

ABSTRACTEfforts to eradicate poverty and food insecurity among Batswana vulnerable groups through small-scale vegetable production programs do not appear to change their economic outlook. These groups were investigated to determine the contribution of their involvement in the program to eradication of poverty and increasing food security. A pretested interview schedule was used to source information from respondents. Mean garden size was 72 m2 with a profit margin of P684.00 (P = Pula, Batswana currency; 1 P = US$0.11) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and P1,140.00 on spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.). Over 70.0% of respondents spent between 13.7 and 19.3 hours weekly on garden activities. Benefits derived included food (53.8%), income (46.2%), utility bills (43.8%), clothing (10.0%), and furniture (3.8%). Small-scale vegetable production has potential for contributing to improving income security among vulnerable groups.

Small scale vegetable production: a case study of Port St Johns, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The main aim of the study is to analyze the contribution of small-scale vegetable production in the livelihood of the farmers in Port St John's as well as the challenges and agronomic practices of farmers. This region is a rural area with no major industry to provide job for the people thus vegetable cultivation is the main source of food and income. Despite this, the sector is facing a lot of problems such as poor market structure for farmer's products, lack of farm loans, lack of farm input such as fertilizer and modern seed as well as the problem of pest and diseases and heavy rainfall in summer which sometime destroys cabbage and spinach. The research established that most of what was cultivated was consumed at home and only the surpluses were sold. Based on the findings, it was concluded that vegetable production is an important aspect in the life of the local population but it is being affected by numerous problems. In order to sustain this improvement, farmers need to be adequately educated; extension officers need to play a major role in the training of farmers by demonstrations and utilization of appropriate technologies. Furthermore the availability of farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides at affordable prices can go a long way in improving vegetable production in the study area.

Analysis of dry season vegetable production in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

The study focused on the costs and returns of small-scale vegetable production in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 150 respondents were interviewed using questionnaire. The production system and socio economic characteristics of the farmers were evaluated. Vegetable production was found to be profitable with a Benefit – Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.64 and the return per capital invested was found to be 0.50k. The regression analysis showed that variables such as, cost of labour, cost of fertilizer, cost of planting materials, cost of irrigation, level of education, size of household, farming experience and farm size were significant at five percent level of significance. Formation of cooperative society by farmers’ provision of appropriate planting materials and technologies were the methods recommended for amelioration of vegetable farmers’ problem. Key words: Dry season, vegetable production.

パラグアイ共和国イグアス移住地における日本人農業社会の変容

The purpose of this study is to clarify the transition of Japanese agricultural community in Yguazu, Paraguay, by analyzing the colonization program, Japanese farm management, and Japanese organizations. Yguazu colony was established by the present-day JICA in 1961. Although many Japanese immigrants moved out because it was difficult to adapt to the local environment, remaining Japanese farmers expanded their scale of management by buying farmland from those moved out of the colony. Those who moved to Yguaz from other colonies in Paraguay lead the development of farming by introducing new agricultural methods such as no-tillage farming. As a result Japanese agriculture developed from the small-scale vegetable production to the large-scale farming of soybeans.While farmers' strategies for survival were successful, various Japanese organizations helped them develop their cohesive farming community and agricultural economy. Yguazu Agricultural Association contributed to the development of immigrant farming by establishing cooperative marketing, enabling cooperative purchase of materials, and providing capital that was difficult to obtain privately.The Japanese community based on farming in Yguazu began to change with the transition of Japanese farming. Japanese organizations, which were to promote the benefit of Japanese, have become to pay more attention to the development of local economy and the welfare of non-Japanese residents. The Regional Promotion Society supports non-Japanese, while Japanese Language School teaches Japanese to non-Japanese students. Such a change has shown remarkably since the latter half of the 1980s when Yguazu began to prosper due to the development of agricultural economy.

Weed Suppression and Labor Costs Associated with Organic, Plastic, and Paper Mulches in Small-Scale Vegetable Production

ABSTRACT The effects of several mulches on weed growth and labor costs in small-scale, non-mechanized vegetable production were compared. Hay mulches applied at 15 to 24 Mg ha−1 (ca. 100 mm depth) several weeks after tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) planting substantially reduced the growth of annual weeds, and sometimes resulted in a net labor saving compared to the unmulched treatment. Grass seed carried by hay contributed visibly to weed growth in only one out of eight trials. A mulch of composted yard waste at 117 to 196 Mg ha−1 (ca. 30–50 mm depth) was less effective against weeds than the hay mulch. Black plastic (32 μm thick embossed black polyethylene) blocked weeds except for a few emerging through planting holes. Labor requirements for mulching (including end-of-season removal) and transplanting were greater for plastic than for organic mulches, so that no net labor savings were realized. Alleys between plastic-mulched rows also required other weed control measures. Kraft paper mulches decomposed before the end of the season, and thus provided less weed control than plastic. However, two layers of newsprint laid under hay or straw significantly enhanced weed suppression by the organic mulch.

Growing in importance — vegetable gardening in the South

Small-scale vegetable production can be crucial to improved livelihoods in developing countries — availability of (and access to) water is often a deciding factor in its success.

EXISTING PROBLEMS AND EMERGING NEEDS OF HORTICULTURAL MARKETING IN NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYAN REGION OF INDIA

ISHS Symposium on Small Scale vegetable production and Horticultural Economics in Developing Countries EXISTING PROBLEMS AND EMERGING NEEDS OF HORTICULTURAL MARKETING IN NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYAN REGION OF INDIA

GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY, AND INSECT CONTROL OF CABBAGE AS INFLUENCED BY FLOATING ROW COVERS, MULCH, AND COLOR

This 1988–1990 field study was designed to: evaluate the effectiveness of wide width floating row covers (covers remained over the crops the entire growing season), polyethylene mulch, and mulch color--red, green, and black--on the growth, yield, quality, insect, and weed control for red (`Red Danish') and green (`Resistant Danish') cabbage cultivars. Insect control treatments included Agronet floating row covers, periodic sprays with dipel, and no insect control. Subplots for weed control were: PPI Treflan and black, green, and red polyethylene mulch. Sub–subplots were red and green cabbage cultivars. Annual rye grass was utilized as a living mulch between the polyethene strips.One of the purposes of this research was to perfect a pesticide-free system for small-scale vegetable production. Preliminary results indicate few color effects but do show that cabbage can be grown under row covers the entire growing season. However, the covers can become brittle after 2 months of exposure to sunlight. Significant cultivar differences for insect and disease resistance were observed.