Project Overview
Commodities
- Vegetables: hibiscus roselle
Practices
- Crop Production: varieties and cultivars
- Farm Business Management: new enterprise development
- Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems
Abstract:
Situation:Sorrel/Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a crop of economic importance in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It belongs to the Malvaceae family and is known to be a very versatile crop with many uses. Sorrel has been gaining popularity with small farmers, but formal research has not yet been undertaken towards optimizing production and marketing systems in Florida. The goal of this study was to evaluate four varieties of sorrel to determine agronomic practices for successful production in Florida and economic viability as an alternative crop by 1) Evaluating the production of sorrel in Florida, 2) determining cost of production and economic viability, 3) developing and distributing educational materials on sorrel production practices as part of an extension and outreach effort, and 4) increasing seed availability of best-performing varieties.
Methods: Two women farmers with organic operations and one male-owned conventional farmer were selected over the course of three years to host this on-farm demonstration trial. Four varieties were evaluated: ‘Local,’ which was previously grown by the farmers, and ‘Festival’, ‘Black’ and ‘Day Neutral’, imported varieties from the United States Virgin Islands. Measurements were taken of plant height. Crop yield data was taken with the bolls and calyces intact and with the bolls and calyces separated. The height measurements data was analyzed using ANOVA, and yield data using SAS GLIMMIX's linear modeling tool. Data comes from an organic farm in Year 1 and the conventional farm in Year 3. For height, the growth rate was similar for each of the varieties in Year 1 but favored 'Festival' in Year 3. The varietal response throughout the time intervals (week of year) was similar in terms of plant height. In Year 1, for the harvested calyces with the bolls intact, the sorrel varieties 'Local' and 'Day Neutral' had comparable mean yield responses, but the calyces without bolls assessment revealed that 'Day Neutral' had a significantly higher mean yield (weight) than 'Local.' In Year 3, the yield of ‘Day Neutral’ and ‘Local’ varieties did not differ significantly with or without bolls. Festival’ produced no marketable calyces until November and ‘Black’ produced none.
Conclusion: Sorrel has potential as an alternative crop in Central Florida, with ‘Local’ and ‘Day Neutral’ varieties showing the greatest potential. However, growers need to take precautions to not grow the crop in low-lying areas as it will succumb to disease problems.
Project objectives:
The goal of this study is to evaluate four varieties of sorrel to determine agronomic practices for successful production in Florida and economic viability as an alternative crop. Specific objectives:
- Objective 1: To evaluate the production of sorrel in Florida.
- Objective 2: To determine cost of production and economic viability.
- Objective 3: To conduct educational outreach on sorrel production practices.
- Objective 4: To increase seed availability of best performing varieties.
A completely randomized block design was used for this project. Plants were spaced 3 feet between plants within row (33 feet row length), 6 feet between rows (18 feet per block) to allow for cultivation and harvest of the fruiting branches (Matthew, et al, 2011). There were four rows per block, one for each variety being evaluated with 12 plants per row for a total of 192 plants. A distance of eight feet between each block and a 3 feet buffer around the plot. Total area is 3,978 square feet (38’ x 102’).
Seeds were started in a greenhouse using protocols for growing vegetables. Seed germination time can be reduced from over a week to three days by scarifying the seed coat. This ensures uniform germination (Matthew & Zimmerman, 2010). From seed germination to a transplantable seedling takes four to five weeks. Seedlings will be manually transplanted.
Objective 1: To evaluate the production of sorrel in Florida.
On-farm trials were conducted on two organic farms and a conventional farm in Central Florida. The conventional farm was added to the study after one of the organic farmers was unable to commit during year 2. Four varieties were evaluated. Data was collected on the following for each variety:
- Plant development – measurements were taken on plant height, time to first bloom
- Yield – weight with and without seed boll
Data was analyzed using ANOVA.
Objective 2: To determine cost of production and economic viability.
- Cost of materials needed for production
- Labor costs – planting, crop maintenance, harvesting
- Profit and loss calculations
Objective 3: To conduct educational outreach on sorrel production practices.
A field day was organized in Year 1 and timed to occur during the harvesting season. The field day introduced farmers and Extension personnel to the botany of the crop, demonstrated production practices utilized, and preliminary yield data. The findings were shared through webinars, in-person educational opportunities, and industry, international media organizations, and social media. Findings were also be presented at the Extension Professionals Association of Florida (EPAF), and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA).
Objective 4: To increase seed availability of best performing varieties.
In order to develop a source of available seeds for farmers within the state, seeds were saved from each of the varieties. Sample packets from those determined to be the best performers were made available to farmers attending field day and Extension professionals who were interested in planting sorrel.