Crop Environments
The abundance (yield) and makeup (quality) of a crop are shaped by its genetics and all aspects of its growing environment which extends from root tip to leaf tip. Farmers aim to select crops and varieties that are well-adapted to environmental conditions common to their farm. And, they take steps to alter that environment to favor the crop – to allow it to perform to its full genetic potential.
Most steps are designed to limit a crop’s exposure to one or more conditions that stifle productivity (e.g., extreme temperature, drought or flood, nutrient excess or deficiency, low light, high wind, pests and diseases). However, they may also significantly impact the total amount and type of resources needed to produce an abundant, high-quality crop. And, micro-environment management can influence when crops are grown.
For example, open field vegetable farming is typically a spring‑to‑fall affair in Ohio and the Great Lakes Region. Without high tunnels, most fresh-market vegetable farmers can sell only 4-5 months of each year. With high tunnels, though, this marketing period can be lengthened dramatically. Production and marketing can start earlier in the spring and continue later into the fall or proceed through the winter. Either way, farmers can take advantage of micro-environments they create with a high tunnel.
Low tunnels, mulches, and heating-cooling and lighting systems can have similar dramatic effects on crops and farms.
Our goals in the VPSL are to continue to learn how crop genetics and growing environments influence yield and quality and to assist farmers in using the best micro-environment management approaches.
Most steps are designed to limit a crop’s exposure to one or more conditions that stifle productivity (e.g., extreme temperature, drought or flood, nutrient excess or deficiency, low light, high wind, pests and diseases). However, they may also significantly impact the total amount and type of resources needed to produce an abundant, high-quality crop. And, micro-environment management can influence when crops are grown.
For example, open field vegetable farming is typically a spring‑to‑fall affair in Ohio and the Great Lakes Region. Without high tunnels, most fresh-market vegetable farmers can sell only 4-5 months of each year. With high tunnels, though, this marketing period can be lengthened dramatically. Production and marketing can start earlier in the spring and continue later into the fall or proceed through the winter. Either way, farmers can take advantage of micro-environments they create with a high tunnel.
Low tunnels, mulches, and heating-cooling and lighting systems can have similar dramatic effects on crops and farms.
Our goals in the VPSL are to continue to learn how crop genetics and growing environments influence yield and quality and to assist farmers in using the best micro-environment management approaches.
