Identifying the SIX Critical Control Points in High Tunnel Production

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1 Identifying the SIX Critical Control Points in High Tunnel Production Terrance T. Nennich, Extension Professor Emeritus Vegetable and Small Fruit Production University of Minnesota Extension

2 High Tunnel Research Sites in Minnesota Experiment Stations Grower Cooperators

3 "It's probably more appropriate to look at high tunnels as creating a system, rather than being an individual technique, because of what they do. They're simple structures but they create a different farming system. Fertilizer use, crop protection use, water, equipment use -- they all change.

4 What are Critical Control Points Critical control points are areas of management that can lead to serious and drastic consequences if not recognized and properly regulated.

5 SIX Critical Control Points 1. Soil texture and soil structure 2. Soil Fertility 3. Water management 4. Temperature management 5. Humidity control 6. Daily Insect and Disease Monitoring

6 Critical Control Point 1 Soil Texture and Soil Structure

7 Soil Texture Simply put Size of the soil particles Defined from sand to clay. Some effect on nutrient exchange and growth Not gravel

8 Soil Texture Right amount of Sand and Clay Soil particle size Heavy soils can lead to compaction Heavy soils lead to soil water lodging Lighter soils cause difficult water management Lighter soils make fertility management harder to management

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10 Test the Sand - ph Test for Basics - Other nutrients are ok but not as important

11 Soil Structure Soil structure is the way in which the individual particles sand, silt, and clay are arranged into larger distinct aggregates. Structure is the major factor determining how fast air and water enter and move through the soil. Structure is a major factor with root growth and plant nutrient uptake = yield/quality

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13 Importance of Organic Matter Improves soil physical properties Drainage Aeration Easier to work Increases moisture holding capacity Especially in sands Improves soil fertility Source of nutrients Increased ability of soil to hold and release nutrients Promotes soil microbes and earthworms Reduces soil crusting

14 Soil Structure Improved by Addition of organic matter Managing compaction Proper tillage Deep tillage

15 Soil Structure The examination of the soil profile it 7 different high tunnels that have been planted for three years or more indicated a formation of a hardpan at 8-10 inches even under the bed. Yield and or quality in these tunnels were drastically being reduced.

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18 Soil Structure Managing soil structure is a constant process. 1. Add sufficient organic matter annually 2. Monitor possibility of hardpan 3. Consider deep rooted cover crops 4. Use deep tillage 5. Use common sense

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20 Critical Control Point 2 High Tunnel Soil and Plant Nutrition

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22 High Tunnel Soil/Plant Fertility Simply Put How are you going to supply enough nutrients to produce the yield and quality at a very high level.

23 Fertility Must be Ample supply Constant supply Balanced Supplied to the end of harvest

24 Soil Nutrient Research Before planting soil was tested at 0-6 inches 6-12 inches inches Soil was retested for each crop after season production. All plots were fertilized equally

25 Soil Nutrient Research Cobra Tomatoes 0-6 inch soil depth N P K Before Season After Harvest

26 Soil Nutrient Research Cobra Tomatoes 6-12 inch soil depth N P K Before Season After Harvest

27 Soil Nutrient Research Cobra Tomatoes inch soil depth N P K Before Season After Harvest

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29 Critical Control Point 3 Water Management

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33 Water Management High tunnels receive no external rainfall Drip tape system supplies all the water needs. A few minor exceptions

34 Water Management Overwatering Very critical with young plants Especially in cooler weather Root rots Slow growth Reduced season long yield

35 Water management Soil Nutrients Leaching Unavailability

36 Water Management Why water is important Keeps plant cells turgid Helps control plant temperature Uptake of nutrients Keeps plant metabolism even Completes pollination

37 Water Yield Data Cucumber plants without water going in peak production No break in watering 32 pounds plant 24 hours with out water 28 pounds plant 48 hours with out water 23 pounds plant 72 hours with out water 16 pounds plant 96 hours with out water 3 pounds plant.

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39 Drip Irrigation System Requires!!! Daily Management!!! Irrigation system Application Rate Uniformity Plant needs Rooting depth Daily ET Soil water

40 High Tunnel Vegetable Production System

41 Critical Control Point 4 Temperature Management

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43 Temperature The ability of high tunnels to capture solar heat is the main reason for their success Your ability to monitor that solar heat is the key to your success.

44 Growing Degree Comparison Inside and Outside Tunnel Inside Tunnel March 281 GDU April 435 GDU May 502 GDU June 570 GDU July 624 GDU Aug 544 GDU Sept 570 GDU Oct 303 GDU Outside Tunnel March 5 GDU April 99 GDU May 183 GDU June 366 GDU July 505 GDU Aug 374 GDU Sept 396 GDU Oct 101 GDU

45 Temperature Inside the High Tunnel = 3500 GDU Outside tunnel = 1650 GDU Our greatest advantage can easily become our enemy if not monitored and controlled on a hourly basis

46 Temperature Temperature must be monitored and kept in the range for the crops being grown Warm season crops degrees.

47 Low Production often due to high temperatures Temperatures greater than 95 F will lower yields in many crops by causing pollen sterilization and or fruit abortion Cucumbers setting flowers will see production decline days later. Tomatoes flowering during high temp will see fruit production decline days later.

48 Temperature One of the basic rules of management is that - you can not control that which you can not measure. - the more detailed that some thing can be measures the closer in can be managed

49 Temperature Consider shade cloth Consider shade paint.

50 Critical Control Point 5 Humidity and Ventilation

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54 Ridge Vent

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57 Humidity High humidity can be a major problem with high tunnel production Disease control Plant growth Working conditions Tunnel deterioration

58 Humidity There is no more explosive problem in a high tunnel then high humidity to the extent of free water for over 12 hours, combined with high temperatures.

59 Plant Disease Triangle Environment Environment

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61 Humidity To remove humidity quickly you must create continual air flow not just open the roll up sides

62 Critical Control Point 6 Daily Insect and Disease Management

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64 SIX Critical Control Points 1. Soil texture and soil structure 2. Soil Fertility 3. Water management 4. Temperature management 5. Humidity control 6. Daily Insect and Disease Monitoring

65 Other Control Points Variety Selection Row spacing Plant density Crop selection Crop mix Harvest efficiency

66 Questions?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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