Maine has a large and diverse group of vegetable and berry growers that farm in excess of 11,000 acres and are responsible for over 20 million dollars in annual gross revenue. Surveys in 1999 (Handley) and 2001, 2007 (Hutton) indicated that the members of the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association rank varietal evaluation […]
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Strip tillage is a method of cultivation where strips are prepared for planting while residue of the previous crop is left undisturbed in the between row zones. This system improves soil health and often results in equal or higher yields when compared to bare ground systems. The use of common hairy vetch (HV) (Vicia villosa) […]
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The pathogenic bacteria Dickeya spp. and Pectobacterium spp. cause soft rot on tubers or blackleg on stems of potato, resulting tuber loss in storage and no emergence of seedlings in the field. The 2015 outbreak of blackleg originated in Maine, and has caused severe consequences to potato growers in the state, especially to the seed […]
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Bell peppers, sweet corn and butternut squash were evaluated in 2014. New Ace produced the greatest yield however, New Ace, Ace, JPR632, JPR1124, and JPR1127 tended to produce mostly medium size fruit having irregular shapes and thin walls. Declaration, Revolution, and Vanguard produced greater numbers of jumbo and extra large fruit. AristotleX3R, Currier, Revolution and […]
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Garlic is an important crop in Maine for over 70 commercial growers representing all 16 counties (http://www.mofga.org/). Most garlic producers in Maine are market gardeners producing many crops. However, the contribution to farm income from garlic is disproportionably large when compared to the area planted. There are several garlic growers in Maine that have over […]
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Two studies were conducted to investigate the microbial characteristics of raw fiddleheads to determine if microbial levels and heavy metal concentrations vary depending on location and to determine thermal processing effects on microbial load and quality of fiddleheads. Fiddleheads were harvested from 5 Maine riverbanks and 3 upland wooded sites. Two separate studies were conducted […]
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Tomatoes were grown in high tunnels in 2014 at two location in NH (Durham & N Haverhill) and at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth ME, using the same fertility plot design: 2 rates of Nitrogen (275 or 630 Lbs/Acre) and, depending on location, 6 or 7 rates of Potassium (0 to 1000 Lbs/Acre), using organic nutrient […]
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