Water Requirements, Use Efficiency, and Insect Infestation in Brussels Sprouts, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Sweet Basil under Low Tunnels compared to Open-field Production

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dc.contributor.authorAcharya, Tej Prasaden
dc.contributor.departmentHorticultureen
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-05T09:00:17Zen
dc.date.available2019-01-05T09:00:17Zen
dc.date.issued2019-01-04en
dc.description.abstractSustainable vegetable production is one of the most active areas of vegetable research and of concern to all producers. Everyone, both producers and consumers, are concerned with sustainability. Brussels sprouts and sweet basil are high value commodities, but increasing global concerns about water availability, insect-pest problems, and costly fertilizer inputs severely impact the growth and production of these crops. Low tunnels covered with spun-bonded fabric can improve production of vegetables and herbs in Virginia and the U.S. This study investigated the performance of Brussels sprouts and basil grown under low tunnels (LTs), and their relationship with water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and the level of protection against insect injury. Low tunnels increased yield, number of sprouts, and water use efficiency of Brussels sprout production. In addition, LTs decreased irrigation requirements, irrigation events, leaf feeding injury, and insect populations in comparison to open field. Similarly, LTs increased summer production of sweet basil as measured by fresh weight and biomass. In addition, plant N uptake was greater under the LTs; however, the increase in nitrogen use efficiency was inconsistent.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralBrussels sprouts and sweet basil are economically important cash crops on the East Coast. Brussels sprouts is a Cole crop and an important source of dietary fiber, vitamins (A, C & K), calcium, iron, manganese and antioxidants. Similarly, sweet basil is a member of the mint family and important high-value herb in the U.S. and the world. It is mainly grown for culinary purposes as a dried and fresh spice in the U.S. However, demand for these commodities is increasing. Low tunnels (LTs) covered with spunbonded fabric can be a practical management tool to increase yield. Results from this study indicate that LTs increase yield of Brussels sprouts and basil, water use efficiency and total nitrogen uptake, while reducing insect pest infestation. Therefore, LTs can be a useful tool to improve sustainability of Brussels sprouts and basil production.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Science in Life Sciencesen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:18095en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/86610en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectrow coveren
dc.subjectirrigationen
dc.subjectyielden
dc.subjectevapotranspirationen
dc.subjectleaf feeding injuryen
dc.subjectfresh weighten
dc.subjectbiomassen
dc.subjectleaf nitrogen contenten
dc.subjectplant nitrogen uptakeen
dc.titleWater Requirements, Use Efficiency, and Insect Infestation in Brussels Sprouts, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Sweet Basil under Low Tunnels compared to Open-field Productionen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineHorticultureen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science in Life Sciencesen

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