Research inside the SWROC’s high tunnel currently addresses four topics. Three of these are production related:

1. What are the benefits of organic vegetable production, in terms of yield, quality, and economic profit, inside a high tunnel compared to typical outdoor production and outdoor production using row covers in Southwestern MN?

2. What vegetable varieties do well and can be recommended for high tunnels in Southwestern MN?

3. Is there a beneficial effect of using row covers within the high tunnel to further extend the production of fall greens? What are optimal species, varieties, and planting dates for fall greens production?

4. Is incorporation of a leguminous green manure on high tunnel beds desirable and practical, from profit and management standpoints?

Read the entire SWROC High Tunnel Summary.

Adria Fernandez is currently conducting the first year of a project investigating the viability of lentils as an alternative crop for organic systems in Minnesota. Lentils, a drought-tolerant legume, are grown mostly in semi-arid environments, but could be a valuable addition to MN rotations if they prove adaptable to our climate. When properly inoculated, they should fix the nitrogen necessary for their own growth. Much of this will, of course, be removed in the grain, but some will be returned to the soil when the residue is incorporated. We expect that they will mature in July to early August, allowing plenty of time for establishment of a fall cover crop.

Read the entire project summary and view pictures taken at the SW Research & Outreach Center’s Organic Field Day held Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Matthew Leavitt, U of M M.S. Student, is currently working on a project to test the effects of winter annual cover crops hairy vetch, winter rye, and a mixture of both on four different organically grown vegetable crops in a cool, northern climate. This project is also setup to evaluate the performance of a roller-crimper on the pre-plant management of cover crops, evaluate the impact of cover crops on weed management, stand establishment, crop quality and yield as well as determine the risk and benefits of vegetable production utilizing cover crops managed with a roller-crimper.

Read the entire project summary and view pictures taken at the SW Research & Outreach Center’s Organic Field Day held Thursday, July 9, 2009.