Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Fruits: general small fruits
Practices
- Production Systems: general crop production
Proposal abstract:
Burley tobacco producers in Southwest Virginia have a tremendous investment in greenhouses for the production of transplants. These houses are only used for four months of the year. Tobacco quota has been significantly reduced over the past seven years, thus reducing income for producers. In order to make up for lost income, tobacco transplant producers are attempting to produce an alternative crop in their greenhouses during the summer months. Production, Marketing, and Financial Analysis of Seedless Organic Watermelons Grown in Tobacco Transplant Greenhouses is being studied to determine viability of this new enterprise.
Project objectives from proposal:
•Determine if watermelons will grow in this environment
•Determine proper plant spacing and density for each house
•Learn about trickle irrigation systems
•Evaluate hydroponic organic fertilizer sources in relation with trickle system
•Analyze plant sap in order to determine nutrient levels in the plants
•Scout crop for insects and diseases
•Market melons and realize a positive financial return