KESEARCH UPDATE
1993
FRUITS
& VEGETABLES
Tomato Variety Trials
Thirteen tomato varieties were
tested at the E.V. Smith Research Cen-
ter (EVSRC) in Shorter and the North
Alabama Horticulture Substation
(NAHS) in Cullman. Six-week-old to-
mato plants were planted on April 20
at EVSRC and on May 4 at NAHS.
Plants were spaced 20 inches apart
and trellised on raised, fumigated beds
five feet apart. Drip irrigation was
scheduled when soil moisture tension
indicated 15% of available moisture
had been depleted. At EVSRC, reflec-
tive plastic mulch was used over drip
lines.
Before planting, 500% of nitrogen
(N) and potassium (K) and all phos-
phorous requirements were applied.
The remainder of N and K was applied
as liquid through the drip system as
described in Circular ANR-660. Pesti-
cides were applied according to the
Alabama Pesticide Handbook or Cir-
cular ANR-2.
Three harvests were made at
EVSRC, and six at NAHS when toma-
toes were at the pink to red stage of
maturity. Fruit were culled for small
size, disease and insect damage, cracks,
blotchy ripening, and catfacing. Total
yield, as shown in the table, is the
combined weight of marketable fruit
1992 TOMATO VARIETY TRIALS AT E.V. SMITH RESEARCH CENTER (EVSRC)
AND NORTH ALABAMA HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION (NAHS)
Variety
Cobia ........................
Colonial .....................
Heatwave ..................
M agam bo ..................
M erced ......................
M tn. Delight ...............
O lym pic .....................
Solar Set ...................
Spitfire .......................
Sunny ........................
Sunrise ......................
Tough Boy ................
W hirlaway ................
Marketable yield
per acre
(Cwt.),
EVSRC NAHS
243 614
3762 698
343 
7222
234 655
3612 
7342
341 
7742
3842 599
334 
7442
312 642
3592 
7512
3612 692
220 405
293 650
Total yield
per acre
(Cwt.)'
EVSRC NAHS
Average fruit
size
(In.)
EVSRC NAHS
1
Cwt. = hundred weight. Example: 24,300 pounds = 243 Cwt.
2
Variety is one of the 
top five in marketable 
yield.
and culls. A large difference between
total and marketable yields may indi-
cate poor adaptability of a variety, or
the opportunity to improve market-
able yield through different cultural
practices.
All the tomato varieties tested
turned red after one 
week of ripening,
except for Spitfire which was dark pink
to maroon. Sunny and Mountain De-
light have been grown for several
years in Alabama and can be used as
the standards for judging new tomato
varieties.
S. Kovach, A.G. Hunter, and OL. Chambliss
Summer Pruning,
Reduced Nitrogen
Improve Red
Delicious Apples
Excessive vegetative growth in
Red Delicious apples, caused by Al-
abama's long growing season and high
rates of nitrogen applied in the spring,
adversely affects fruit color and in-
creases the cost of annual pruning.
An AAES study in 1992 showed
that summer pruning and reduced ni-
trogen rates were effective in control-
ling excessive growth and enhancing
Continued on page 2
Pole Bean
Variety
Trials
Twenty-one pole bean varieties
were tested in 1992 at the North Ala-
bama Horticulture Substation in
Cullman.
On May 15, pole bean seeds were
planted at six-inch intervals in rows
spaced five feet apart. Plants were
trained onto a two-wire and string trel-
lis as they grew.
Most of the beans tested have
green pods. Goldmarie pods are yel-
low, and Alford has grayish-purple
pods. Landfrauen, Rattlesnake, and
Selma Zebrina have striped pods. Most
varieties tested have round to oval
pods. Dade, Early Riser, Goldmarie
and Precores have flat pods.
Belmont, Precores, and Selma
Zebrina produced less vigorous vines
than the other beans tested. Halo blight
was generally absent and only moder-
ate levels were found on Early Riser
and Goldmarie. Most varieties re-
quired 51-55 days to reach first har-
vest. Goldmarie required only 46 days,
while Blue Lake, Blue Lake FM-1 and
Belmont required 60 days. Late variet-
ies had fewer harvests than early va-
rietiesand mayhave madehigher yields
had weather conditions been normal.
Results from more than a year are
needed before new varieties should re-
place beans currently grown. Bertina,
Rinox, Goldmarie, Selma Star, and
Rattlesnake have produced consis-
tently higher yields in the last three
years, while others appear to be sensi-
tive to changes in the environment
and/or management conditions. For
example, Belmonte produced the high-
est yield in 1990, but the lowest in 1992.
Growers should use caution by
planting promising new pole beans on
a limited scale to determine how they
will produce under local conditions
and how well they will be accepted by
consumers.
A.G. Hunter and O.L. Chambliss
Variety
Bertina ............................
Alford ............... ..........
Rattlesnake .....................
R in o x ................................
Genuine Cornfield .............
Goldmarie .........................
Alabama No. 1 ..................
Early Riser ......................
Kentucky W onder..............
D a de .................... ...........
Selma Star .................
Precores .........................
Selma Zebrina ...................
Kentucky W onder 191 .......
Novax ............................
McCaslin ........................
Blue Lake ........................
Landfrau n .......................
Blue Lake FM-1 .............
Kentucky Blue ..................
Belmonte .........................
Days to Number of Pod Pod Total
1st harvest harvests length width yield
No. No. In. In. Lb./a.
51 12 5.8 0.4 13,659
51 12 6.4 0.5 
13,564
51 12 6.4 0.5 13,320
51 12 5.6 0.5 11,475
55 10 5.5 0.4 10,896
46 11 6.9 0.5 
10,702
55 10 4.4 0.4 9,886
51 12 8.4 0.8 9,318
55 10 5.8 0.4 9,093
51 12 6.6 0.4 8,793
53 12 6.0 0.4 8,673
51 12 7.5 0.7 7,824
51 9 6.3 0.5 7,806
51 12 6.4 0.5 7,364
53 12 5.4 0.5 6,752
51 12 6.9 0.5 6,748
60 9 4.8 0.4 6,576
51 12 5.0 0.5 6,524
60 9 5.1 0.3 6,088
53 11 5.8 0.3 5,799
60 8 5.0 0.3 4,264
Red Delicious Apples, continued
Red Delicious Apples, continued
fruit color and foliar nutrient levels of
two Red Delicious cultivars - Red
Spur and Sharp Red - without affect-
ing fruit yield and quality. Summer
pruning also resulted in fewer fruit
nutritional disorders, such as cork spot
and bitter pit.
Trellised, mature trees grown on
dwarf EM 26 rootstock at the North
Alabama Horticulture Substation in
Cullman were used in the study. All
trees were dormant pruned in mid-
February, and some were pruned in
late April, early June, and early Au-
gust. Nitrogen rates of 60, 30, and 15
pounds per acre were applied to all
pruning treatments.
Summer pruning and reduced ni-
trogen rates did not affect 
fruit yield,
size, firmness, or sweetness. Fruit color
was enhanced by summer pruning.
Average shoot length of the non-sum-
mer-pruned trees averaged 37.3 inches
long, but was only 2.8 inches long in
summer-pruned trees.
W.A. Dozier and A.W. Caylor
1992 POLE BEAN VARIETY TRIAL
Watermelon Variety Trials
Sixteen watermelon varieties were
tested throughout Alabama in 1992.
Trials at the North Alabama Horticul-
ture Substation in Cullman, Chilton
Area Horticulture Substation in Clanton,
and Gulf Coast Substation in Fairhope
are summarized in the table.
Overall, the highest average yields
were seen in Royal Jubilee, a hybrid
Jubilee type; and Starbrite, a hybrid
Mirage type. Hybrid varieties gener-
ally yield higher than open-pollinated
ones, but the seed cost up to 15 times
more.
Among the Crimson Sweets, Crim-
son Tide had the highest yield with an
average of 27,881 pounds per acre.
This dramatically illustrates the effect
of hybrid vigor since all the other Crim-
son Sweet types are open-pollinated
varieties. Open pollinated types are,
however, true to type and offer greater
seed source reliability, factors that can
save seed.
Tiffany is a unique addition to the
trials because it is seedless. Such variet-
ies are not truly seedless, but rather the
embryos that would normally develop
into hard seed remain small, soft, and
edible. Unfortunately, Tiffany has not
been a very good yielding variety.
J.D. Norton. G.E. Boyhan, and H.W. Huang
Evaluation of
Bush Snap Beans
for Early Once-Over
Production
Twenty-eight bush bean varieties,
selected for their potential to perform
well as fresh market and garden variet-
ies in Alabama, were evaluated at the
North Alabama Horticulture Substa-
tion in Cullman.
Seeds were planted four inches
apart in rows spaced 44 inches apart.
Standard cultural practices were fol-
lowed. Rainfall was supplemented
Continued on page 4
WATERMELON VARIETY TRIALS AT THREE ALABAMA LOCATIONS.
Cultivar Cullman Clanton Fairhope Average Fruit type
1
Flesh color
Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a.
AU Golden Producer ...
AU Sweet Scarlet ........
AU-Producer ................
Crimson Sweet ............
Crimson Tide ...............
Cutter 55 ......................
F ie s ta ...........................
Jubilation .....................
Jubilee .........................
Jubilee II ......................
M irage LS ....................
Royal Jubilee ...............
Sangria ........................
Starbrite .......................
Tastigold ......................
T iffa n y ..........................
27,525
29,276
30,434
44,643
40,837
19,609
29,936
45,295
30,508
50,739
48,343
59,564
34,965
44,471
33,225
18,327
15,801
19,733
24,657
17,469
24,875
14,758
17,899
22,122
15,715
20,885
18,236
20,665
19,519
30,660
25,844
6,760
8,621
11,834
12,288
9,129
17,932
13,177
14,429
15,791
12,124
15,046
11,307
27,824
14,937
20,056
14,593
7,913
17,316
20,281
22.459
23,747
27.881
15,848
20,755
27,736
19,449
28,890
25,962
36,018
23,140
31,729
24,554
11,000
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet
Jubilee
Allsweet
Jubilee
Jubilee
Jubilee
Mirage
Jubilee
Allsweet
Mirage
Small Grey
Triploid CS
Yellow
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Yellow
Red
1 Crimson Sweet: round, striped, 20-25 pounds. Jubilee: oblong, striped, 25-35 pounds. Allsweet:
oblong, dark green rind with light stripe, dark red flesh, slightly smaller than Jubilee. Mirage: shaped
between Crimson Sweet and Jubilee with rind pattern similar to both, slightly larger than Crimson
Sweet. Small Grey: ice box type less than 15 pounds with light green rind. Triploid CS: seedless
Crimson Sweet.
EVALUATION OF BUSH SNAP BEAN VARIETIES 
FOR EARLY ONCE-OVER PRODUCTION
1
Variety Total Pod Pod Pod Plant Halo
yield shape
2  
length width Vigor
3  
blight
4
Lb./a. In. In.
W rangler ....................... 6,728 RC 5.5 0.3 5 1
Seville ........................... 6,538 RC 5.7 0.3 5 2
Duchess ........................ 5,689 RC 5.0 0.4 5 2
FM-359 _....................... 5,558 RS 5.9 0.3 4 2
NUN-0820 ..................... 5,519 OC 5.1 0.4 5 1
Bronco .......................... 5,077 RC 5 4 0.5 4 2
Jum bo ........................... 4,892 FC 6.5 0.7 4 1
Hialeah .......................... 4,723 RC 6.0 0.2 2 1
Magnum ........................ 4,658 RC 6.7 0.5 4 2
Venture ......................... 4,566 RC 6.4 0.5 4 2
Podsquad ...................... 4,566 RC 5.1 0.3 4 2
Strike ............................. 4,381 RC 5.1 0.3 5 1
Tennessee Green Pod.. 4,174 FC 5.6 0.6 4 2
Roma II ......................... 3,856 FC 5.0 0.7 4 1
Derby (FM-175) ............ 3,588 0S 5.7 0.5 5 1
Contender ..................... 3,288 RH 5.5 0.5 4 2
Mustang ........................ 3,223 RS 5.0 0.4 4 2
RB-BD716-T2 ............... 3,170 FC 5.2 0.5 4 2
M irada ........................... 3,161 RC 4.6 0.4 4 2
Greencrop ..................... 3,074 OC 6.2 0.5 4 2
Homestyle ..................... 2,774 RC 5.4 0.4 4 1
O pus ............................. 2,685 RC 5.0 0.4 5 1
Topcrop ......................... 2,682 RC 5.0 0.4 4 2
Kentucky Wonder 125... 2,569 OC 5.7 0.5 5 1
Blue Lake ..................... 1,895 RC 6.0 0.5 5 1
Blue Ridge .................... 1,776 RC 5.2 0.5 4 2
White Half-runner .......... 1,649 OC 4.4 0.5 4 2
Labrador .............. 1,346 RC 4.7 0.4 4 2
1 Date of planting was May 15. All plots were once-over harvested 50 days after planting.
2 Pod shape: F=flat, O=oval, R=round, C=curved, H=hooked, S=straight.
3 Plant vigor rating: 1 =poor, 5=excellent.
4 Halo blight rating: 1 =no symptoms, 5=severe symptoms.
Snap Beans, continued
with overhead irrigation when needed
to equal one inch per week. Earliness
and concentrated pod set are features
that commercial producers look for
when they machine harvest bush beans
in a single harvest.
Bean rust was not present in no-
ticeable levels on any of the bush beans
tested. See the table for other results of
the study.
Experiments will be conducted for
two more years to determine which
varieties consistently produce well in
north Alabama. Small test plantings
should be made by commercial grow-
ers and home gardeners to determine
how well bush bean varieties produce
locally.
A.G. Hunter and O.L. Chambliss
Cucumber
Variety
Trial
Twelve varieties of
slicer cucumbers were
direct seeded into bare
soil at the North Alaba-
ma Horticuture Substa-
tion in Cullman on May
28 and harvested 10 times
starting July 10 and end-
ing July 31. Each plot
consisted of one 42-inch
X 20-foot row. The plant
spacing in each row was
six inches. See the table
for results of the variety
trials.
R.P. Yates and J.E. Brown
Annual Hill Strawberry
Cultivar Evaluation
1992 CUCUMBER VARIETY TRIALS
Variety
(seed source)
D asher II ...................
(Abbott & Cobb, Twilley)
Poinsett 76 ................
(Asgrow)
Marketmore 76.........
(Asgrow, Petoseed)
General Lee ..............
(Ferry Morse)
Early Triumph
H yb rid .......................
(Abbott & Cobb, Twilley)
C om et A II .................
(Asgrow)
Maximore Brand
Blend #103 ................
(Twilley)
XPH 1653
[M eteor] ..................
(Asgrow)
C enturion ..................
(Abbott & Cobb)
M onarch ....................
(Asgrow)
A&C Hybrid #1811 ....
(Twiley)
S lice N ice ..................
(Twifley)
Ten strawberry cultivars were evaluated at three AAES substations in 1991
and 1992. At the Brewton Experiment Field in Brewton, Chilton Area Horticul-
ture Substation in Clanton, and Gulf Coast Substation in Fairhope, freshly dug
plants were planted using the annual hill plasticulture system.
Plants were grown in double rows on each bed and spaced 12 inches between
plants and 12 inches between rows with row centers at five feet. A total of 17,424
plants per acre were planted. Plants from Canadian nurseries had leaves intact,
while plants from California had the leaves removed before digging.
Chandler was the
STRAWBERRY YIELD AT THREE ALABAMA LOCATIONS, 1991-92 top-yielding cultivar
overall and was 
rated
Brewton Chilton Gulf 
Coast highly in terms of berry
1991 1992 1991 1992 1991 1992 size, flavor, and shelf
Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a. Lb./a. life. It remains the
Chandler
1 
........ 23,531 29,304 8,049 9,308 24,534 30,950 single cultivar recom-
Selva
1 
............. - 18,845 - 6,730 - 21,461 mended for commer-
Douglas
1  
- 21,933 - 11,002 - 32,858
Grace............. - 12,055 
- 12,246 - 18,252 
cial production. Oso
Parajo
1 
........... - 16,052 - 5,922 - 20,014 Grande also was high
Oso Grande
1 
.. -
2 0,5 09  
-
9,9 36  
-
2 7,5 38  y i e l d in g a n d p ro d u c e d
Chandler
2 
........ 20,133 20,611 15,152 8,169 22,477 27,821
Seascape
2 
.. . 15,662 12,188 10,190 
6,580 16,523 24,054 largeberries, 
butitmay
Oso Grande
2 
... 14,901 21,013 11,904 8,388 22,142 24,738 have mite problems
Capitola
2 
.......... 14,025 9,054 11,652 3,013 16,163 18,765 when other cultivars
Douglas
2 
.......... 13,511 - 8,385 - 15,474 
-
Irvine
2 
.......
. .... .. 
13,358 - 12,669 
- 21,353 - are unaffected.
Muir
2 
........
. ..... .. 
10,194 - 6,178 - 12,363 - D.G. Himelrick, WA. Dozier,
Selva
2 
......
.. .... ..  
7,736 8,505 5,745 5,077 14,992 18,725 and AW. Caylor
Pajaro
2 
............ - 9,341 - 4,179 - 16,499
1
Plants from Canadian nurseries.
2
Plants from California 
nurseries.
Yield
No./a.
69,975
62,356
36,387
77,750
56,136
76,040
Total
fruit weight
Lb./a.
28,713
26,847
15,211
32,200
22,671
33,062
77,284 33,167
64,222
77,906
67,954
60,023
90,812
26,780
33,338
32,173
28,210
37,977
Average
Average
fruit weight
Lb.
.41
.43
.41
.41
.40
.43
.42
.41
.42
.47
.46
.41
Virus Epidemic in
Field Tomatoes in
North Alabama
A 1992 viral epidemic wiped out
up to 25% of Alabama's tomato crop.
Tests indicate that cucumber mosaic
virus (CMV) alone or combined with
potato virus Y (PVY) and/or tobacco
etch virus (TEV), were responsible for
the crop failure.
Low winter temperatures may
help avoid an epidemic in 1993 by re-
ducing aphids and weeds, which are
hosts for the viruses. Studies show that
the best control strategies include
eradicating weeds in and out of fields,
using virus-free transplants, planting
earlier, isolating later settings from
fields planted earlier, destroying early
settings when production is complete,
and controlling aphids through scout-
ing and timely insecticide use.
Blount and St. Clair counties sus-
tained most of the damage. CMV, PVY,
and TEV also were identified in fields in
Cullman and Morgan counties. All to-
Continued on page 6
Bell Pepper ariety
Variety Trial 
(seed source
Thirteen varieties of bell peppers Bell Captain (P
were transplanted into bare soil plots at Belmont (Asgo
the North Alabama Horticulture Sub- Camelot [PS 1
station in Cullman 
during late May. 
(Abbott & Cob
Emerald Giant
Each variety was planted in a 44- Gator Bell (Ab
inch X 20-foot row. The plant spacing in Jupiter (Twilley
the rows was 18 
inches The peppers 
Keystone Resi
Marengo (Asgi
were seeded in a greenhouse on March Memphis [P 10
27 and were harvested July 16, Aug. 13, Ranger (Asgro
Sept. 15, and Oct. 2. 
Results for mean 
Orobelle [P 32.
Pip (Asgrow) ..
fruit number and fruit weight were cal- Verdel [P 1796
culated for an acre.
R.P. Yates and J.E. Brown
Southernpea
Variety Trials
Southempeas were tested for yield potential at the
E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter and the
North Alabama Horticulture Substation (NAHS) in
Cullman. Thirty-five varieties and five AAES advanced
breeding lines were planted on May 25 at EVSRC and
on May 27 at NAHS.
Standard cultural practices were used, except for the
use of drip irrigation at EVSRC. Insect, Disease, Nema-
tode, and Weed Control Recommendations for Com-
mercial Vegetables (Circular ANR-2) was followed for
control of pests.
To simulate machine harvesting, a single harvest
was made on each plot. The difference in days to harvest
between EVSRC and NAHS was due to variation in
percentage of dry pods at harvest and the unusually cool
and wet weather at NAHS. In multiple harvest situations
where only mature green pods are picked, days to harvest
would be less.
To compensate for different percentages of dry and
mature green pods at harvest, all peas shelled from each
plot were soaked in water to allow dry seeds to soak up
water (imbibe) and reach equilibrium with the green
seeds. Imbibed weights in the table are realistic esti-
mates of mature green, shelled weights of harvested peas.
Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (B1CMV), in combina-
tion with cucumber mosaic virus, can reduce or elimi-
nate southernpea yields. Southernpea varieties resis-
tant to B1CMV are indicated in the table by the abbrevia-
tion BVR. CSC (green seed coat) and GT indicate that dry
seed are green.
OL. Chambliss and A.G. Hunter
1992 BELL PEPPER VARIETY TRIAL
etoseed, Twilley) ...................
W) .........................
7 8 8 5 ] .....................................
b, Petoseed)
(Twilley) ..........................
bott & Cobb, Petoseed) .........
V) .......................... I..................
stant Giant #3 (Asgrow) ........
ro w ) ...... .................................
0] (Abbott & Cobb) ...............
W ) ... . . . . . . ..........................
4] (Abbott & Cobb) ................
] (Abbott & Cobb) .................
Yield
No.ia.
73,483
84,936
79,581
63,219
103,679
75,119
54,294
90,886
83,895
87,911
78,838
59,946
58,756
Total Individual Plant
fruit fruit weight height
Lb./a. Lb. In.
26,088 .35 25.14
25,276 .29 23.31
25,732 .32 26.31
19,809
31,449
23,369
15,747
29,160
27,581
26,693
23,523
17,561
20,599
26.11
26.11
21.83
18.65
25.17
22.05
23.48
2441
24.50
26.36
1992 SOUTHERNPEA VARIETY TRIALS
Type of Pea Days to Imbibed seed Bushels/a.
harvest Lb./a. (Est.)
1
NAHS EVSRC NAHS EVSRC NAHS EVSRC
Blackeyes:
A U B E ................................
Bettergro Blackeye ............
California Blackeye #5 ......
California Blackeye #46 ....
California Blackeye #88 ....
Genegreen ........................
Giant Blackeye .........
Royal Blackeye .................
AU-M-90-84GC67 .............
Creams:
Bettergreen .......................
Carolina Cream .................
Freezegreen ......................
Green Acre ........................
Mississippi Cream .............
S a-D andy ..........................
Crowders:
Carolina Crowder ..............
Carolina Sugar ..................
Clemson Purple ................
Colossus 80 ......................
Dimpled Brown Crowder ...
Tennessee White Crowder
Mississippi Purple .............
Mississippi Shipper ...........
Mississippi Silver ...............
Worthmore ........................
AU-EVS-91 -BC-9 ..............
AU-EVS-91-298 ................
Pinkeyes:
C o ro na ..............................
C o ro net .............................
Pinkeye Purplehull ............
K ia w a h ..............................
Mississippi Pinkeye ...........
Pinkeye Pinkpod ...............
Pinkeye Purplehull-BVR ....
Pinkeye Purplehull-GSC ...
Santee Early Pinkeye ........
Texas Pinkeye ..................
AU-C-91 -INC-328-GT .......
AU-C-91 -INC-328-MIX ......
1,951
2,114
784
1,408
827
823
1,206
3,042
1,624
925
657
1,444
961
2,078
899
2,732
2,161
4,905
6,074
2,375
1,229
3,006
2,307
2,529
2,307
2,065
2,944
2,967
2,908
1,457
2,418
1,764
1,777
1,219
1,778
1,578
2,291
2,572
2,873
2,595
706
476
425
2,330
840
2,895
2,496
2,000
1,588
1,604
1,157
1,710
1,470
3,234
2,483
3,716
3,234
1,799
1,837
3,125
3,742
2,933
2,000
1,972
2,796
2,211
2,425
2,489
2,358
3,348
2,988
1,202
1,606
2,032
1,825
2,112
2,275
1 Bushels of pods per acre were estimated by multiplying the imbibed weight
by two (assuming an average shell-out of 50%) and dividing this by 25 (the
average in-pod weight of a bushel of southernpeas).
Virus Epidemic, continued
mato varieties grown in the area -
Mountain Delight, Mountain Spring,
Mountain Pride, Mountain Gold, and
Spitfire, as well as both cherry and
plum types - appear to be susceptible.
Disease incidence ranged from a few
plants up to 100% in some fields. Dam-
age was most severe in fields trans-
planted after June 1.
Over 87%, of the tomato samples
collected in an AAES study tested posi-
tive for virus (see table). CMV was
detected alone or in combination with
PVY and/or TEV in over 71%,, of the
samples tested. CMV was also present
in 27 of the 30 fields sampled.
Symptoms vary, but the most com-
mon one is terminal stunting of the
plant. Leaf symptoms varied from typi-
cal mosaic patterns to severe inter-
veinal chlorosis. This was often associ-
ated with leaf distortion in the form of
curling, crinkling or rolling of the leaf
balde. Infected plants rerely produced
fruit.
CMV, PVY, and TEV are spread by
aphids. Both the green peach aphid
and the potato aphid were identified in
affected fields. Numerous weeds can
serve as reservoirs for all three viruses
and contribute to virus spread and
overwintering. CMV alone can infect
nearly 800 plant species. Weather con-
ditions in 1990-91 may have favored
aphids and weed hosts of the viruses.
Cropping histories and production prac-
tices could also have provided field con-
ditions favorable for causing the epi-
demic.
E.J. Sikora, R.T. Gudauskas, and G.W. Zehnder
ANALYSIS OF VIRAL INFECTION
OF NORTH ALABAMA TOMATO PLANTS
Virus No. No. Pct.
Tested Positive Infected
CMV alone............ 317 140 44.1
PVY alone ............. 259 14 5.4
TEV alone............. 259 8 3.0
CMV+PVY ............. 259 22 8.4
CMV+TEV ............... 259 8 3.0
CMV+PVY+TEV ...... 259 37 14.2
PVY+TEV .............. 259 11 4.2
Beauregard Still the Highest-Yielding
Sweet Potato Variety
Seventeen sweet potato vari-
eties were evaluated at two Ala-
bama locations in 1992. Although
the average yields for the standard
varieties were considerably greater
than the average yields for the new
varieties, a few of the introductions
showed promise for producing high
yields in Alabama.
Potatoes were planted at the
North Alabama Horticulture Sub-
station in Cullman in late June and
harvested after 108 days. Spacing
was one foot within rows and 3.7
feet between. Nitrogen (N), phos-
phorous (P), and potassium (K) were
applied at the rate of 35-70-105
pounds per acre. Rainfall during the
growing season was 15 inches
At the Chilton Area Horticul-
ture Substation in Clanton, potatoes
were planted in mid-July and har-
vested after 112 days. Spacing was
one foot within rows and three feet
between. N, P, and K were applied
at the rate of 50-100-150 pounds per
acre. Rainfall during the season
was 21 inches
At both locations, highest yields (
U.S. #1 roots were obtained with Beau
regard. At Clanton, the highest yield (
total marketable roots also was obtaine
with Beauregard.
At Cullman, however, high yield
of total marketable yields also wer
YIELDS (50-POUND BUSHELS) OF US#1 AND TOTAL MARKETABLE ROOTS
PRODUCED BY STANDARD AND NEW VARIETIES.
Type of
potato
Clanton Cullman
US#11 Total US#1 Total
marketable marketable
Standard varieties
Cordner ............. 161
Jewel ........... 41
Beauregard ........ 242
Nugget ............. 102
GA Jet ............. 237
Hernandez ......... 82
Average ........... 144
New varieties
L-87-58 .............. 70
L-87-59 .............. 54
L-87-95 ............. 56
L-87-104 ............. 74
L-87-105 ......... 64
L-88-217 ............. 13
W-270 .............. 36
W-274 ................ 72
W-279 ............... 26
NCM-8103. 92
NCA-12
4  
........ 
5 7
Average ............ 56
'US#1 = Roots 2-3 1/2
268
158
481
298
540
240
331
149
154
241
204
191
48
48
198
117
237
274
169
inches in
166
169
352
138
227
131
197
211
96
203
124
149
2
50
91
71
209
43
113
diameter, 3-9
length, well shaped, and free of defects.
2
Not evaluated 
in Cullman this 
year.
3
Released as Red Star.
4
Released as Gold 
Star.
obtained with Red Star and L-87-95.
of However, the cooking quality of L-87-
1- 95 may limit its acceptability. Hernan-
f dez did not produce high yields of
d U.S.#1 roots, but it did produce high
yields of canners. Higher yields of
Is larger roots would have 
been likely if
re the growing season was 
extended.
J.M. Dangler
403
371
566
422
344
354
414
323
190
578
295
330
158
362
154
534
133
278
inches in
A study was conducted at the E. V.
Smith Research Center in Shorter to
demonstrate the advantages of using
latex spray mulch in the production of
watermelons and muskmelons.
A common boom sprayer can be
used to apply latex spray mulch on the
soil over young plants or on bare soil
before planting. The mulch conserves
moisture, warms the soil, and controls
erosion. Plus, it is biodegradable and
requires no additional equipment to
remove it.
Treatment spray rates per square
foot were: 0.2 ounce at a 12-inch band
width; 0.2 ounce, 18-inch band width;
0.2 ounce, 24-inch band width; 0.4
ounce, 12-inch band width; 0.4 ounce,
18-inch band width; 0.4 ounce, 24-inch
band width; and no mulch.
Latex spray rates were applied to
Continued on page 7
Ltex Spray Mulch Increases Watermelon
and Muskmelon Yields
Aiternative Method for Growing Strawberries
An AAES study has resulted in an
alternative method for growing straw-
berries that provides yields at least as
good as the matted-row culture but al-
lows a faster return on investment.
Planting in mid-July to early Au-
gust at close spacing with dormant,
cold-storage plants is a viable alterna-
tive to producing spring-planted
strawberries in the matted row culture.
Also, the non-fruiting year inherent in
matted-row culture is eliminated, weed
problems are reduced, and runner re-
moval is eliminated.
Ten plantings of dormant Delite
strawberries were made from July 18
to Nov. 12 in single rows with 6-, 12-,
and 18-inch spacings between plants
and in double rows at 9 X 12 inches. For
three seasons, runner and plant devel-
opment were determined in late fall
after planting, and mortality, yield,
fruit weight, and total soluble solids
were determined the following spring.
Highest yields were seen at the
earliest planting date in single rows
spaced at six inches and in the double
rows (Table 1). Yield decreased with
each succeeding date and increased
spacing.
Individual
fruit weight was
highest for the
July 18 planting
date and de-
creased with each
succeeding date.
Percent of sol-
uble solids (a
measurement of
sweetness) was
lowest for the
July 18 planting
TABLE 1. EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE AND PLANT SPACING
ON AVERAGE TOTAL YIELD OF DELITE STRAWBERRIES
Planting Yield (lb./a.) at each plant spacing
date
6" 
12" 
18" 
9" X 12" 
Mean
7/18 ....... 16,500.6 13,211.9 12,984.9 18,000.2 15,174.4
8/01 ....... 13,847.1 11,146.8 9,428.8 15,197.2 12,404.9
8/15 ....... 12,315.6 9,514.9 8,074.7 13,311.1 10,804.1
8/29 ....... 9,456.8 7,254.8 4,845.3 11,868.6 8,356.4
9/12 ....... 7,015.3 5,374.4 4,447.3 9,090.7 6,481.9
9/26 ....... 8,995.5 6,364.8 4,868.1 9,199.1 7,356.9
10/10 ...... 4,449.0 3,142.2 2,256.1 4,430.2 3,569.4
10/24 ...... 3,277.3 809.1 523.4 1,471.0 1,520.2
Mean ...... 9,482.2 7,102.4 5,928.6 10,321.0
date with the single-row, TABLE 2. EFFECT
six-inch plant spacing and 
T
the 9 X 12-inch double
Planting
rows. It increased with date
each succeeding planting
date and each increase 
in 7/18 ........
8/0 1 ........
spacing (Table 2). 8/15 ........
Greatest runner de- 8/29 ........
velopment occurred 
on 9/12 ........
9/26 ......
plants set July 18 and 10/10 .......
decreased with Aug. 1 10/24 .......
and 15 planting 
dates. Mean .......
No runners were pro- 
1
The higher tt
duced by 
plants set 
af- berry-
ter Aug. 15.
In 1989, all plants set after Sept. 12
Latex Spray Mulch, continued
20-foot rows spaced six feet apart over tervals, wh
the tops of four-week-old Chilton were spaced
muskmelon and AU Producer water- The 0.4-
melon transplants. Muskmelon seed- application
lings were transplanted at two-foot in- yield 20-550
YIELDS OF CHILTON MUSKMELON AND AU
LATEX SPRA
Treatment Muskmel
No.ia. Lb.
18" band width,
.4 oz./sq. ft ......... 6,413
24" band width,
.4 oz./sq. ft . ........ 5,203
12" band width,
.4 oz./sq. ft .......... 6.171
No spray .............. 5,143
18" band width,
.2 oz./sq. ft .......... 5,566
24" band width,
.2 oz./sq. ft .......... 5,805
12" band width,
.2 oz./sq. ft .......... 5,687
ile watermelon seedlings
at three-foot row inter'als.
ounce, 18-inch band width
of mulch increased melon
o over melons grown with
no latex treatment. This
PRODUCER WATERMELON 
TREATED WITH application 
produced
.Y MULCH 20%) more muskmelons,
the best muskmelon
on Watermelon 
yield increase 
in the
/melon No./a. Lb./melon study. Watermelon yield
was 55% greater at the
3.73 4,598 
15.21 same 
latex application
3.08 4,235 17.76 
rate (see table). Size was
not affected by latex
2.89 2,702 16.33 treatments. Soil tempera-
3.23 2,541 15.15
ture 
ranged 
from 
three
2.82 2,420 14.95 to five degrees higher
under mulch treatments.
J.E. Brown and C.B. Ogburn
2.90 3,388 18.77
he percent of soluble solids, the sweeter the straw-
TABLE 3. EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE ON PERCENT PLANT
MORTALITY OF DEUlE STRAWBERRIES
Mean percent plant mortality
Planting Two-year
date 1990 1991 average
7/18 ............ 7 0 3
8/01 ............ 5 4 4
8/15 ........... 5 3 4
8/29 ............ 9 3 6
9/12 ............ 6 2 4
9/26 ............ 5 5 5
10/10 ........... 27 2 14
10/24 ........... 38 7 23
11/07 ._...... 47 14 31
11/21 ........... 70 8 39
were killed by a freeze. In 1990 and
1991, plant mortality increased with
later planting dates (Table 3). Greatest
mortality occurred at planting dates
of Oct. 10 and later.
In-row plant spacing did not affect
fruit weight, runner development, or
plant mortality.
W.A. Dozier, A.W. Caylor, and D.G. Himelrick
OF PLANTING DATE AND PLANT SPACING ON AVERAGE PERCENT
OTAL SOLUBLE SOUDS OF DELrE STRAWBERRIES
1
Percent total soluble solids at each plant spacing
6" 12" 18" 9" X 12" Mean
Squash
S: Trials
TABLE 1. YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH GROWN ON BLACK PLASTIC MULCHED PLOTS IN CLANTON
Variety Squash/a. Squash Average
(seed source) weight/a.' squash weight
Crooknec
Dixie (Asg
Fi ~ sp-~: AL
k
row) .......................
bbott & Cobb) ..........
(Petoseed, Twilley)
(Abbott & Cobb) .....
(Ferry Morse) ..........
(Ferry Morse) ..........
ro w ) ........................
(Abbott & Cobb) .....
eck
Petoseed, Twilley) ...
p L (Asgrow) ..........
(Abbott & Cobb) ...
(T w ille y ) ..................
46,001
51,548
60,574
56,224
48,068
32,843
43,065
56,333
41,869
35,126
46,328
50,025
8,943.60
10.312.98
13,253.15
11,357.85
7,399.35
6,714.23
11,494.88
10,155.08
10,483.50
8,415.08
10,346.48
9,252.45
Twelve varieties Goldie (At
Sundance
of yellow summer Medallion
squash were trans- 
FMX 586
planted into black FMX 564
plastic mulched 
plots Pavo(Asg
Crescent
on April28 inClanton
and direct seeded Goldbar(F
into bare soil plots Lemondro
on May 28 
in Enterprise
Culman. Smoothie
Cullman.
Each 
plastic 
1
Approxirr
mulched plot had
one variety per 5 X 20-foot row.
Plant spacing in each row was
18 inches. Squash were har-
vested 11 times starting May 24
and ending June 18.
Each direct seeded plot had
one variety per 42-inch X 20-
foot row. Plant spacing in each
row was 12 inches. Squash were
harvested 12 times starting July
6 and ending July 31.
R.P. Yates. J.E. Brown. and M.A. Reeser
An AAES study indicates that me-
chanical pruning can be used to elimi-
nate time-consuming hand pruning in
peach production. Mechanical prtuning
would reduce production costs and
make more time for other needed cul-
tural practices.
A planting of Sunland peaches on
Lovell rootstock was established in
1984 at a spacing of 10 X 20 feet. The
trees were hand pruned to an open cen-
ter the first two seasons to develop the
proper scaffold branch system. Begin-
ning with the third season, a variety of
treatments was used.
Treatments included pruning to an
open center by conventional hand
pruning. Also, a Fossom tree pruner
mounted on the front of a tractor was
used to prune some trees to an open
center and to hedge the tops and sides
of others. A fourth treatment involved
mechanical pruning to an open center
followed by detailed hand pruning.
From 1987-92, no pruning treat-
ment significantly affected fruit yield
(see table), fruit size, or fruit color.
However, trees which were only
hedged developed a thick canopy that
made pickingdif- 
EFFECT OF
ficult, causing
many fruit to be
knocked off dur- Treatment
198
ing harvest. Also,
ing harvest. 
Also, 
Hand prune 
.......... 
42.2
there was more
fruit rot due to Machine prune 
... 32.8
poor spray pen- to open center
etration.
Trees exclu Hedge prune 
...... 48.8
Trees exclu-
sively machine- Machine prune ... 24.2
prnmedtoanopen 
to open center
center produced 
plus hand prune
the total highest yield with fruit qual-
ity equal to trees that were only hand
pruned. The canopies of these trees
were as open as hand-pruned trees,
allowing efficient harvest and disease
control.
W. A. Dozier and A.W. Caylor
PRUNING METHOD ON YIELD OF SUNLAND PEACHES
Total yield (Lb./tree) Six-year
7 1988 1989 
1990 1991 1992 
average
140.1 100.8 217.1 136.4 95.5 122.1
197.8 107.6 178.6 167.9 73.0 126.3
145.4 88.7 200.9 71.9 73.9 104.9
2 140.4 83.2 190.3 137.8 90.4 110.9
Effect of Mechanical Pruning
on Sunland Peaches
iate summer squash net weight for 1/2-bushel basket is 21 pounds.
TABLE 2. YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH DIRECTLY SEEDED INTO BARE SOIL PLOTS IN
CUUMAN
Variety US#1 US#2
(seed source) Squash Squash
weight/a.' 
weight/a.1
Crookneck
Dixie (Asgrow) ......................... 20,897.33 6,555.90
Goldie (Twilley) ............................ 21,651.82 7,493.85
Sundance (Twilley) ................... 20,858.77 5,112.84
Medallion (Abbott & Cobb) ........ 20.613.08 4,811.17
FMX 586 (Ferry Morse) ............. 23.228.59 6,036.51
FMX 564 (Ferry Morse) ............... 25,548.65 6,743.72
Pavo (Asgrow) .......................... 23,043.85 8,380.20
Crescent (Abbott & Cobb) ............ 19,117.17 5,594.90
Straightneck
Goldbar (Twilley) ....................... 17,631.83 3,699.03
Lemondrop L (Asgrow) ............. 25,601.52 8,493.41
Enterprise (Abbott & Cobb) ........ 21,219.53 4,705.45
Smoothie (Twilley) .................... 21,156.08 5,991.73
1
Approximate summer squash net weight for 1/2-bushel basket
is 21 pounds.
1992
Sweet
Corn
Variety
Trials
Seven varieties of "super sweet"
corn were tested in 1992 at the Sand
Mountain Substation in Crossville and
the Gulf Coast Substation in Fairhope.
Six varieties were tested at the Chilton
Area Horticulture Substation in
Clanton.
The day before planting in Cross-
ville, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and
potassium (K), in the form of 13-13-13,
were applied at 400 pounds per acre.
The corn was later sidedressed with
ammonium nitrate at 435 pounds per
acre. Rows were 3 X 20 feet. Overhead
irrigation was used periodically to
maintain the soil moisture level at 50%,
or more of available water capacity.
Lannate also was applied periodically
at the rate of one pint per acre.
Corn was planted on April 30 in
Crossville. Varieties 7630Y, 
Sweet Belle,
Challenger, and 7801W were picked
July 20. Dazzle was picked July 21. Va-
rieties 7710Y and Even Sweeter were
picked July 24.
At the Gulf Coast Substation, corn
was planted March 19 and picked on
June 9. Before planting, Dual herbi-
cide was applied at the rate of one quart
per acre. No P or K was applied, but an
N application of 120 pounds per acre
was used as a sidedress. Rows were
2.5 X 20 feet.
At the Chilton Area Substation,
corn was planted April 27 and picked
on July 8 and 14. Fertilizer, in the ratio of
13-13-13, was applied prior to planting
and ammonium nitrate was used as a
sidedress. The plots were irrigated to
maintain the soil moisture level at 50%
of available water capacity. Rows were
2.33 X 20 feet.
R.P. Yates, J.E. Brown, W. Boldin. M.A. Reeser
RESULTS FROM SWEET CORN VARIETY TRIALS AT THE SAND MOUNTAIN SUBSTATION (S), GULF COAST SUBSTATION (G), AND CHILTON AREA HORTICULTURE SUBSTATION (C)
Variety
(seed source)
Performance Ears/a.
2  
Ear Plants/a. Days to Ear Ear Ear set Ear
Index
1
weight harvest
3
length diameter height fill
4
Doz. Lb. No.
YELLOW
7710Y ............................ 4.47(S)
(Abbott & Cobb) 4.08(G)
3.60(C)
7630Y ................. ........... 4.43(S)
(Abbott & Cobb) 4.51(G)
3.65(C)
Sweet Belle .................... 4.48(S)
(Asgrow) 4.40(G)
- (C)
Challenger .................... 4.60(S)
(Asgrow) 4.18(G)
4.06(C)
WHITE
7801W ............................ 4.65(S)
(Abbott & Cobb) 4.55(G)
3.42(C)
Even Sweeter ................. 4.33(S)
(Asgrow) 4.55(G)
3.45C
BI-COLOR
Dazzle .......
(Asgrow)
4.27(S)
4.23(G)
3.33(C)
1,074(S)
1,869(G)
2,413(C)
968(S)
1,615(G)
2,374(C)
938(S)
1,869(G)
- (C)
938(S)
1,615(G)
2.296(C)
1,134(S)
1,579(G)
2,724(C)
953(S)
1,694(G)
2,705C
817(S)
1,542(G)
2,423(C)
.69(S)
.60(G)
.50(C)
.64(S)
.65(G)
.45(C)
.70(S)
.61(G)
- (C)
.60(5)
.67(G)
.49(C)
.57(5)
.64(G)
.37(C)
.51(S)
.70(G)
.41(C)
.52(S)
.68(G)
48(C)
12,160(S)
(G)
16,579(C)
11,253(S)
- (G)
16,112(C)
11,616(S)
(G)
(C)
11,434(S)
- (G)
16,462(C)
12,160(S)
- (G)
14,827(C)
11,253(S)
- (G)
16,228(C)
11,979(S)
-
(G)
16,112(C)
Tip Eye
cover
4
appeal
4
In. In. In.
86(S)
82(G)
73(C)
82(S)
80(G)
73(C)
82(S)
81(G)
- (C)
82(5)
81(G)
73(C)
82(5)
81(G)
73(C)
86(S)
81(G)
73(C)
83(S)
81(G)
73(C)
7.96(S)
7.73(G)
7.42(C)
7.92(S)
7.47(G)
7.49(C)
7.98(S)
7.54(G)
- (C)
7.81(S)
7.64(G)
7.03(C)
6.76(S)
7.55(G)
6.44(C)
7.44(S)
7.60(G)
7.36(C)
7.43(S)
7.58(G)
7.66(C)
1.85(S) 20.45(S)
1.73(G) 22.30(G)
1.41(C) 19.80(C)
1.66(S) 21.00(S)
1.93(G) 21.24(G)
1.38(C) 19.74(C)
1.81(S) 22.00(S)
1.83(G) 24.20(G)
- (C) 
- (C)
1.85(S) 18.03(S)
1.76(G) 23.00(G)
1.55(C) 14.68(C)
1.92(S) 14.83(S)
1.86(G) 22.00(G)
1.55(C) 11.82(C)
1.84(S) 21.00(S)
1.96(G) 20.86(G)
1.42(C) 18.79(C)
1.73(S) 20.96(S)
1.95(G) 17.65(G)
1.47(C) 19.84(C)
1
Performance Index is an average of tip cover, ear fill, and eye appeal. See footnote 4 for a description of the scale.
2
Ears/acre for the Chilton trial is a total of two harvests conducted on July 8 and 14.
3
Days to harvest for the Chilton trial are for the early 
harvest.
4
Tip cover, ear fill, and eye appeal index: 5 = excellent; 4 = good; 3 = fair; 2 = poor; and 1 = very 
poor.
4.55(S)
3.65(G)
4.90(C)
4.35(S)
4.25(G)
4.80(C)
4.35(S)
4.25(G)
- (C)
4.60(S)
3.95(G)
4.90(C)
4 50(S)
4.35(G)
4.80(C)
3.90(S)
4.53(G)
5.00(C)
3.95(S)
4.25(G)
4.50(C)
5.00(S)
5.00(G)
2.30(C)
5.00(5)
5.00(G)
2.00(C)
5.00(S)
4.85(G)
- (C)
5.00(S)
4.75(G)
2.70(C)
5.00(S)
5.00(G)
2.05(C)
5.00(S)
4.60(G)
1.95(C)
5.00(5)
4.25(G)
2.20(C)
3.85(S)
3.60(G)
3.60(C)
3.95(S)
4.30(G)
4.15(C)
4.10(S)
4.10(G)
- (C)
4.20(S)
3.85(G)
4.60(C)
4.45(S)
4.10(G)
3.40(C)
4.10(S)
4.53(G)
3.40(C)
3.85(S)
4.20(G)
3.30(C)
EDITOR'S NOTE
This publication presents summaries
of recent research by the 
Alabama Agri-
cultural Experitnent Station (AAES),
which is based at Auburn University.
Mention of company or trade names does
not indicate endorsement by the AAES
or Auburn University. Any mention of
nonlabel uses or applications in excess of
labeled rates of chemicals does not consti-
tute a reconmmendation. Such use in re-
search is part of the investigation neces-
sary to evaluate materials and treatments.
This informnation is available to all per-
sons without regard to race, color, sex, or
national origin.
Support from
Outlying
AAES Units
Research reported in this pub-
lication could not have been com-
pleted without the support and
participation of the outlying units
of the Alabama Agricultural Ex-
periment Station. Participating
units in the projects included in
this Research Update are the E.V.
Research Center in Shorter, J.S.
Bannon, director; North Alabama
Horticulture Substation, Cullman,
M.H. Hollingsworth, superinten-
dent; Chilton Area Horticulture
Substation, Clanton, J.A. Pitts, su-
perintendent; Gulf Coast Substa-
tion, Fairhope, E.L. Carden, super-
intendent; Sand Mountain Substa-
tion, Crossville, J.T. Eason, super-
intendent; and Brewton Experi-
ment Field, Brewton, 
J.R. Akridge,
superintendent.
June 1993 7 M
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