Spring and Fall beet variety trials were conducted in 2018 at the University of Delaware research farm near Georgetown, DE.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Spring and Fall beet variety trials were conducted in 2018 at the University of Delaware research farm near Georgetown, DE."

Rosa Walters
5 years ago
Views:

1 2018 University of Delaware Spring and Fall Beet Trials Gordon Johnson and Emmalea Ernest University of Delaware Research and Education Center County Seat Highway Georgetown, DE (302) Spring and Fall beet variety trials were conducted in 2018 at the University of Delaware research farm near Georgetown, DE. Varieties evaluated and sources: Variety Source Type 3x5 D&D Seed Co. Inc Red Globe F1 3x11 D&D Seed Co. Inc Red Globe F1 Avalanche Bejo Seeds Inc White Globe OP Bohan Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Boldor Bejo Seeds Inc Yellow Globe OP Boro Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Bresko Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Falcon Sakata Red Globe F1 Kestrel Sakata Red Globe F1 Manolo Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Merlin Sakata Red Globe F1 Moneta Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe OP Pablo Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Red Ace Sakata Red Globe F1 Red Atlas D&D Seed Co. Inc Red Globe F1 Red Cloud Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe F1 Red Kite Sakata Red Globe F1 Red Titan D&D Seed Co. Inc Red Globe F1 Soldier Bejo Seeds Inc Red Globe OP, Red Foliage Taunus Bejo Seeds Inc Red Elongated F1 Materials and Methods There were 20 beet varieties entered and planted in both a spring and a fall trial in Seeds of each variety were direct seeded at a ½ depth with a plate type push planter to achieve 12 seeds per foot. The spring trial was planted on April 23 and the fall trial was planted on August 10. The soil was a Hammonton loamy sand. In the spring trial Plots were 2 rows, 15 long with 30 between rows. In the fall trial plots were 1 row 40 long with 30 between rows. Narrow rows were not used due to the need to mechanically cultivate with available equipment. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 6 replications in the spring and 4 replications in the fall. Herbicides applied were: Ro-Neet 2 qt./a preplant incorporated and Spin- 1

2 Aid 2 pints/a postemergence. Fertilizer applied preplant included 50 lbs. N and 140 lbs. K20 per acre with 3 lbs. of B. Additional N was applied at a rate of 50 lbs. N per acre 6 weeks after planting. Five weekly applications of Dipel insecticide were made from week 3 in each trial. Fungicide was applied two times and consisted of azoxystrobin (Quadris) plus copper. Irrigation was provided by overhead sprinklers (linear system). Plots were cultivated twice and were also hand weeded in the row. Plots were harvested starting July 5 in the spring trial and November 19 in the fall trial. Taunus, Boldor, and Soldier were not harvested in the fall trial due to lack of size (did not reach harvest maturity). A 10 section of row was harvested in both rows in the spring trial and a 20 section of row was harvested in the fall trial. Beets were pulled by hand, tops removed and weighed and then roots counted and graded into small (1-2 diameter), medium (2-3 diameter) and large (>3 diameter) grades. Each grade was then weighed. Selected beets from each replication were cut, juice extracted, and then measured for soluble solids using a refractometer. Roots were also evaluated for uniformity of size ( with 10 being all the same size), uniformity of shape ( with 10 being all the same shape), exterior appearance ( with 10 being excellent appearance) and interior color ( with 10 being excellent color appropriate for the variety). Tops were evaluated for leaf disease in the spring planting ( with 10 being disease free). Results Yield results are presented in Tables 1 and 2. The spring planting received 2.5 inches of rainfall one day after planting and emergence was delayed and stand reduced due to surface compaction which reduced yields. Kestrel had the highest yield (15.2 tons/a). Other varieties with yields above 11 tons per acres were 3x5, 3x11, Red Ace, Red Kite, Bohan, Pablo, Avalanche (white), Red Cloud, Red Atlas, and Bresko. This group ranged from 11.1 to 13.8 tons/a. Low yielding varieties under 7 tons/a were Soldier (red leaf type) and Boldor (yellow root type). In the fall trial, stands were thicker than desired (not thinned) so roots were smaller; however, yields were good. Those varieties in the fall trial with yield greater or equal to 20 tons per acre included Falcon, Red Ace, 3x11, Red Atlas, Boro, 3x5, and Merlin (range from 22.3 to 20.0 tons per acre). Those varieties yielding under 20 tons/a were Bresko, Bohan, Manolo, Pablo, and Moneta (14.2, 14.0, 13.8, 12.7, and 12.6 tons/a respectively). Size grades by number and weight and top weights are given in Tables 3 and 4. In the spring planted trial, Red Ace had the highest number of harvested beets per plot (42) followed by Kestrel (34), 3x11 (32), and 3x11 (31). The varieties 3x5, 3x11. Bohan, Boro, Falcon, and Red Atlas had over 2000 g/plot in the large size grade; 3x5, 3x11, Falcon, Kestrel, and Red Kite had over 2000 g/plot in the medium size grade, and 3x5, 3x11, and Kestrel had over 1700 g/plot in the small size grade. The most vigorous tops by weight were 3x5, 3x11, Bohan, Falcon, Kestrel, Red Kite, and Soldier (all over 2000 g/plot). In the fall trial, Red Atlas had the highest number of harvested beets per plot (94) followed by Red Ace (91), Red Titan (89), 3x11 (83), Merlin (83), Pablo (82) and Falcon (80). Falcon had the highest weight of large beets (1086 g/plot), Red Titan had the highest weight of medium beets (2050 g/plot), and Red Atlas had the highest weight of small beets (4245 g/plot). Falcon and Kestrel had the most vigorous tops by weight (6014 and 5030 g/plot respectively). 2

3 Quality ratings and measurements are given in Tables 5 and 6. In the spring planted trial, Avalanche, Pablo, Red Ace, and Red Titan had the most uniform root sizes and shapes (above 5 rating for both). 3x5, 3x11, Red Atlas, and Red Cloud had the least foliar disease (rating above 6). Moneta had the best exterior root appearance (rating of 6.5) and Bresko, Moneta, and Pablo had a rating of over 8 for interior root appearance. Varieties in the spring trial with a brix % over 6 were Boro, Bresko, Falcon, Kestrel, Red Atlas, and Soldier. In the fall trial, 3x11, Moneta, and Red Titan had the most uniform root size and shape ratings (above 6). The varieties 3x5, Manolo, Red Ace, Red Atlas, and Red Titan had the best exterior root appearance (all above 6). Avalanche, Kestrel, Moneta, and Red Cloud had the best interior root appearance (all above 6). The varieties with the highest brix % were Merlin (7.2), Falcon (6.5), Manolo (6.5), Red Atlas (6.5), Kestrel (6.3) and Pablo (6.3). Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge: Extension Vegetable Program employees Jennifer Jones, Caitlin Molnar, Laura Gagnon, Luke Meacci, Sean Stacey, and Morgan Chambers for their assistance throughout the trials, and especially during harvest. Brian Hearn and Ward Harris for pesticide, fertilizer, and irrigation applications. Research farm staff that tilled the plots. Bejo, D&D Seed Co. and Sakata for donation of seed for the trials. 3

4 Table 1. Yields of beets in the spring planted trial, Georgetown, Delaware 2018 Variety Est. Tons/Acre Kestrel 15.2 a 1 3x ab 3x ab Red Ace 13.3 abc Red Kite 12.6 abcd Bohan 12.1 abcd Pablo 11.5 abcd Avalanche 11.5 abcd Red Cloud 11.3 abcd Red Atlas 11.1 abcd Bresko 11.1 bcd Taunus 10.9 bcd Falcon 10.7 bcde Manolo 10.5 bcde Merlin 10.3 bcde Titan 10.0 bcde Boro 9.2 bcde Moneta 9.0 bcde Boldor 6.8 de Soldier 6.5 e p 0.05 = LSD Means followed by the same letter are not statistically different at the 0.05 level. 4

5 Table 2. Yields of beets in the fall trial, Georgetown, Delaware 2018 Variety Est. Tons/Acre Falcon 22.3 a 1 Red Ace 21.9 a 3x a Red Atlas 21.4 ab Boro 21.2 ab Red Titan 20.9 abc 3x abcd Merlin 20.0 abcde Red Kite 17.1 abcdef Red Cloud 15.6 bcdef Avalanche 15.0 cdef Kestrel 15.0 cdef Bresko 14.2 def Bohan 14.0 ef Manolo 13.8 f Pablo 12.7 f Moneta 12.6 f p 0.05 = LSD Means followed by the same letter are not statistically different at the 0.05 level. 5

6 Table 3. Numbers and weights of beets per plot in the spring planted trial, Georgetown, Delaware 2018 Variety Large Med. Small Total Large Med. Small Tops # # # # g g g g 3x x Avalanche Bohan Boldor Boro Bresko Falcon Kestrel Manolo Merlin Moneta Pablo Red Ace Red Atlas Red Cloud Red Kite Red Titan Soldier Taunus

7 Table 4. Numbers and weights of beets per plot in the fall trial, Georgetown, Delaware 2018 Variety Large Med. Small Total Large Med. Small Tops # # # # g g g g 3x x Avalanche Bohan Boro Bresko Falcon Kestrel Manolo Merlin Moneta Pablo Red Ace Red Atlas Red Cloud Red Kite Red Titan

8 Table 5. Quality ratings and measurements for the spring beet trial, Georgetown, DE 2018 Variety Uniformity of Size Uniformity of Shape Disease Rating Exterior Appearance Interior Appearance Brix % 3x x Avalanche Bohan Boldor Boro Bresko Falcon Kestrel Manolo Merlin Moneta Pablo Red Ace Red Atlas Red Cloud Red Kite Red Titan Soldier Taunus

9 Table 6. Quality ratings and measurements for the fall beet trial, Georgetown, DE 2018 Variety Uniformity of Size Uniformity of Shape Disease Rating Exterior Appearance Interior Appearance Brix % 3x n/a x n/a Avalanche n/a Bohan n/a Boro n/a Bresko n/a Falcon n/a Kestrel n/a Manolo n/a Merlin n/a Moneta n/a Pablo n/a Red Ace n/a Red Atlas n/a Red Cloud n/a Red Kite n/a Red Titan n/a

10 Figures 1-5. Photos of Selected Beets Figure 1. Red Titan, Falcon, Soldier (Bulls Blood), Taunus (long), Boldor (yellow), and Avalanche (white) Beets from Left to Right Figures 2-5. Red Ace, 3x11, Boro, and Red Atlas Beets 10

11 11 APPENDIX A: Weather Summary for the 2018 Beet Variety Trials: April November

12 Appendix A1. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site April A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 12

13 Appendix A2. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site May A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 13

14 Appendix A3. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site June A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 14

15 Appendix A4. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site July A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O N/A 0 N/A N/A 0 N/A A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 15

16 Appendix A5. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site August A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 16

17 Appendix A6. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site September A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 17

18 Appendix A7. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site October A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 18

19 Appendix A8. Weather data for the Georgetown REC site November A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O A Day B Avg Temp ( F) I Avg Solar (MJ.m -2.day -1 ) C Max Temp ( F) J Avg Wind Speed (mph) D Min Temp ( F) K Rainfall (in) E GDD (base 50 F) L Ref ET (in day -1 ) F Avg RH (%) M Avg Soil Temp ( F) G Max RH (%) N Max Soil Temp ( F) H Min RH (%) O Min Soil Temp ( F) 19

Mini Seedless Watermelon Variety Trial Results 2018

Mini Seedless Watermelon Variety Trial Results 2018 Gordon Johnson & Emmalea Ernest University of Delaware Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center 16483 County Seat Highway Georgetown,