UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM AND DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE

COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE AND FRUIT CROPS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4 — DECEMBER 2012

C ROP TALK IN THIS ISSUE

Getting Started with DZT……………………………….….……1, 6-9

Managing Highly Feathered Apple Trees.….………….….2,3,5

CSA School Evaluation……………………………..…………………….3

The Root of The Matter……………………...………………….……..4

Go Green……………………………………………………………………….4

Bedding Plants for Greenhouse Growers………….……..…….5

CT GAP School………………………………………………….……………9

CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Conference.………….………10-11

Calendar of Events

GAP Lite School Monday, January 14th, West Hartford Extension Center Contact: Diane.Hirsch@uconn.edu or 203-407-3163 CT Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference Thurs., Jan. 17, Tolland County Extension Center, Contact: Jude.Boucher@UConn.edu or 860-875-3331

GAP School January 30-31st, Tolland County Extension Center Contact: Diane.Hirsch@uconn.edu or 203-407-3163

GAP Update Thurs., Feb. 7th— Tolland County Extension Center Contact: Diane.Hirsch@uconn.edu or 203-407-3163

Bedding Plants for Greenhouse Growers

Thurs., Feb. 14, Tolland County Extension Center, Vernon

Contact: Leanne.Pundt@uconn.edu or 860-626-6855

GAP Lite School Sat., Feb. 16, New Haven County Extension Center Contact: Diane.Hirsch@uconn.edu or 203-407-3163

Bedding Plants for Greenhouse Growers

Wed., Feb. 20, Litchfield County Extension, Torrington

Contact: Leanne.Pundt@uconn.edu or 860-626-6855

GAP Writing Workshop Thurs., Feb. 21, Tolland County Extension Center Contact: Diane.Hirsch@uconn.edu or 203-407-3163

Deep Zone Tillage (DZT) is a type of reduced-tillage that combines

the best features of no-till, conventional-till and sub-soiling. In-

stead of tilling up the whole surface of a field, with DZT you pre-

pare narrow seed beds for planting and leave the area between

rows protected with a cover crop residue (Fig 1). As one grower

stated, “a seedbed between the rows is only a weed bed!” Some

of the reasons growers switch to DZT include faster field prepara-

tion, reduced fuel and fertilizer use, less machine hours and

maintenance, erosion control, elimination of plow pans and soil

compaction, building soil organic matter, improving soil health,

and much more.

DZT Equipment

DZT machines will prepare 2, 4, 6 or more rows or seedbeds at

once. Your tillage machine should match your planter for number

of rows and spacing.

When ordering a DZT machine, it should come set up with a front

coulter to cut through dead crop residue, a straight (not a curved)

sub-soiling shank (Fig. 2), so that it shatters the ground instead of

lifting it, two wavy or scalloped coulters (Fig. 3) to work up the

ground on either side of the shank, and a rolling-basket (Fig. 4) to

break up soil chunks and prepare the seedbed. In New England,

the sub-soiling shanks must have automatic spring resets (Fig. 5)

to allow the shank to trip over rocks or ledge. Depth wheels allow

you to control how deep the shank penetrates. The shanks should

come with protective, hardened points and side wear plates (Fig.

6), which require replacement after extensive use. Unverferth

builds a machine with a straight shank and automatic resets called

a Zone Builder (Model 132). It should be ordered with a Strip

Builder attachment for each row (coulters and rolling basket).

Residue managers (Fig. 7) should also be purchased and mounted

Continued on page 6

G E T T I N G S TA RT E D W I T H D E E P Z O N E T I L L A G E

By: Jude Boucher, UConn Extension Educator,

Commercial Vegetable Crops

The Tall Spindle system utilizes the concepts of high tree den-sities (900-1,200 trees/acre) with highly branched (feathered) trees (10-15 feathers) and minimal pruning at planting to achieve high early and mature yields of high quality apples while reducing and simplifying pruning and other manage-ment costs. In trials at Geneva and on growers farms we have achieved yields of 300 bushels per acre in the second year and a total of 3000 bushels/acre over the first 5 years. This level of yield results in high profitability and a quick payback of the initial investment. An economic analysis of various orchard systems by Robinson and DeMarree (2007) indicated that 20 year profitability was greatest for the tall spindle compared to higher and lower planting densities. The improved yield and fruit quality of the Tall Spindle system can result in significant reductions in the costs per unit of production especially when coupled with partial mechanization of pruning, harvesting and tree training using platforms. We currently recommend that growers plant the Tall Spindle system for greater profitability and competitiveness and for lower management costs with the use of orchard platforms for pruning, thinning, tree train-ing and harvest. Over the years, our trials with the Tall Spindle have indicated several important principles of managing this system to opti-mize performance. 1. Highly feathered trees are essential for high early yield. An essential component of the Tall Spindle system is high branched (feathered) nursery trees. The tall spindle system depends on significant 2nd and 3rd year yield for the econom-ic success of the system. If growers use whips or small caliper trees which do not produce significant quantities of fruit until year 4 or 5, often the carrying costs from the extremely high investment of the tall spindle orchard overwhelms the poten-tial returns and negates the benefits of the high tree density on profitability. Generally, nurseries in North America have produced trees with 3-5 long feathers instead of 10 short feathers which are preferred. The tree with fewer long feath-ers requires more branch management than the tree with more short feathers. Our earliest trial with the Tall Spindle system was planted in 1994 but when this trial was planted we could not obtain in the USA the highly feathered trees which are essential for the optimum performance of the Tall Spindle. Thus, its early yield performance was not up to the potential of more highly feath-ered trees. Each succeeding trial over the last 17 years has had trees with more feathers. In 2006, we planted two new trials of the Tall Spindle system in the Hudson Valley of NY State and in Wayne County, NY (western part of NY state) using Gala, Honeycrisp and Fuji trees with 10 feathers. Second

MANAGING HIGHLY FEATHERED APPLE TREES

Page 2

By: T. Robinson S. Hoying, M. Fargione, M. Miranda, K. Iungerman and L. Dominguez

Dept. of Horticulture, NYSAES, Cornell University

year yield was 300 bushels/acre and a 5 year cumulative yield of 3000 bushels per acre with Gala and Fuji while with Hon-eycrisp we achieved a cumulative yield of 2,400 bushels/acre. This level of yield can completely pay off the initial investment in the first 5 year. 2. Minimal pruning at planting. A significant difference of the Tall Spindle and the traditional Slender Spindle is that neither the leader nor the feather are pruned at planting. Even if a whip is planted, the leader is not pruned at planting. Without pruning of the leader or feathers at planting, the tall spindle tree can be grown to a height of 10 feet more quickly and can be allowed to crop in the second year which contributes to a rapid payback of the initial investment. The lack of pruning on the feathers allows them to carry some crop in the second year and to be bent artificially or naturally to keep them weak while favoring leader extension. 3. Tying of feathers below horizontal at planting. With the Tall Spindle all of the feathers should be tied or weighted below the horizontal at planting to induce cropping and to prevent them from developing into large lower scaffolds. The pendant position results in a weak fruiting branch instead of a strong scaffold branch. This strategy is similar to that used in the Solaxe system and is in contrast with the Vertical Axis and Slender Spindle systems where the feathers were not tied down or were tied down a little above horizontal which al-lowed them to grow into large scaffolds over the first 5 years. A failure to tie feathers below horizontal soon after planting results in limbs in the lower part of the tree that are too strong for the close in-row spacing's of the Tall Spindle which requires severe limb removal pruning at an early age which invigorates the tree and makes long term canopy containment problematic. This simple change in feather management al-lows for long-term cropping of many original feathers and little invasive pruning for the first 5-8 years at the very close spacing of the Tall Spindle system. After the initial tying down of feathers at planting, new lateral branches that arise along the leader do not need to be tied down. In most climates, Tall Spindle trees which carry crops in years 2-5 have moderate tree vigor and lateral shoots arising along the leader often bend below horizontal with crop load in the third year. This creates a natural balance between vigor and cropping without additional limb positioning. However, in vigorous climates or where winter chilling is insufficient, often limbs become too large before they set sufficient crop loads to bend the branches down. In these climates, tying down of upper vigorous limbs must be done annually for the first 3-5 years until the tree settles down and begins to crop heavily. However, in most traditional apple growing areas, growers

Page 3 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012

UConn’s Cooperative Extension System, the USDA Risk

Management Agency (RMA) and CT NOFA sponsored a CSA

(Community Supported Agriculture) School on November 28th,

at the Middlesex County Extension Office. A total of 81 people

attended the event and 49 (60%) filled out an evaluation form.

Eighty percent of the participants grew vegetable crops and

many also grew flowers, small fruit and had greenhouses. Eight

growers, two Extension Educators and one “Typical Customer”

made presentations about their CSAs’ at the workshop, while

four more farmers led discussion groups on how to get started,

get better and deal with regulations. Presentations included a

‘Typical CSA Vegetable Share’, ‘Multi-farmer CSA’, ‘Multi-season

CSA’, ‘Partnering with Chefs’, a Meat CSA, ‘Tips & Tools for CSA

Business Management’, ‘Insuring a CSA’, and a farmer panel of

first-year CSA growers who shared what to do and not to do

when getting started.

Seventy-nine percent of the folks who answered the

evaluation rated the program as “excellent” while the rest rated

it as “good”. Participants all received a ‘Tools for CSA Farms’

booklet and all rated it either “Excellent” or “Good”. The full

booklet has been posted on the UConn RMA web site at

www.ctfarmrisk.uconn.edu/. Of the respondents, 86% said they

learned something to change their marketing practices, while

80% said the program will improve their farm profitability. Al-

most everyone raved about the locally-grown lunch from River

Tavern and some said it was worth the price of admission all by

itself. Four respondents said they would start a CSA next sum-

mer while 10 claimed they would add a farm credit-style CSA

option to their operation. Others said they would start an en-

tertaining CSA newsletter, begin office or church deliveries, in-

crease their crop diversity, partner with restaurants, add items

to shares, write up shareholder agreements, plan production

to meet share requirements, start a swap box, change the

amount in each share, and have more personal contact with

shareholders.

Top: Rick Hermonot, from Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Sterling,

describes his “Meat CSA” and bottom: Steve Munno, from

Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge, leads a discussion

on how to improve your CSA.

C S A S C H O O L : B Y FA R M E R S F O R FA R M E R S

APPLE TREES CONTINUED often invest too much money in limb tying which should be limited to only the initial feathers at planting. Thereafter, the precocity of the rootstock induces heavy cropping and a natu-ral balance is established. 4. Irrigation and fertigation in years 1 and 2. Large, highly-feathered trees often have a low root:shoot ratio (small root system compared to the top). In many cases highly feathered trees undergo water stress shortly after planting despite ade-quate soil moisture levels in the bulk soil. This is due to the damaged and small root system of a transplanted tree which cannot adequately support the large top without frequent irri-gation. Large, highly-feathered trees produce much more leaf

area shortly after planting than un-feathered trees which cre-ates a high water demand before the root system can re-grow sufficiently to support the trees. In-addition, during some years, periods of dry weather following planting result in water stress of newly planted trees which can limit tree growth. Fre-quent and early trickle irrigation can help these trees produce good growth in the first year. Growers are recommended to install trickle irrigation soon after planting (within 4 weeks) when planting high density orchards that use feathered trees to prevent water stress and maximize first year tree growth. Once the trickle irrigation system is installed the new trees need only small but frequent doses of water. Continued on page 5

Think about a plant, any plant. What immediately comes to mind? Most likely the above ground portion – the blossoms, foliage, stems and fruit. Roots are largely ignored yet a healthy, vigorous root system is imperative for a healthy, vigorous plant. Roots perform several essential tasks. They anchor the plant to the soil. Roots take up necessary water and nutrients and they transport these to the base of the stem. Roots also serve as food storage organs and in some cases, as a means for reproduction. The amount of roots a plant produces is amazing. One study measured the root system of a single, twenty-inch high clump of winter rye. The total length of all the roots combined was about 2 million feet – all in two cubic feet of soil! The growth of the root system is supported by the process of photosynthesis occurring in the leaves. At the same time, in or-der for this process to occur, the roots must constantly supply the stems and leaves with water and nutrients. To meet this need, roots will continuously explore new regions of the soil. Good root growth can be encouraged by proper cultural practic-es. Since roots grow in the soil, steps taken to improve soil con-ditions will also be beneficial to root growth. Whether a plant species produces a taproot or a fibrous root system is genetically determined. How far the root system can penetrate laterally or vertically is greatly influenced by soil fac-tors including the texture, structure, moisture, temperature and aeration of the soil. Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay present in a particular soil. Roots can easily penetrate sandy soils but moisture may be limiting in these well-drained soils. Finer textured soils retain considerable water yet roots may have more difficulty growing into or through them. Additions of organic matter can rectify both situations, as it will increase the water holding capacity of soils as well as improving drainage. Another benefit of organic matter is improved soil structure. A soil’s structure is the way soil particles are arranged or grouped together. Roots grow vigorously in soils with a granular or crumb structure, ideally resembling chocolate cake crumbs. Soils that are dense or compacted offer great resistance to root growth. If you have a hard time digging in the soil, think about the problems the roots will have. Soils with a granular or crumb structure have lots of spaces be-tween the soil aggregates called pores that are filled with air and water. The nutrients plants require for growth are in this soil water. Roots need oxygen just like other parts of the plant. Oxy-

Page 4

By: Dawn Pettinelli, UConn Extension Instructor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

gen is needed for root respiration and in soils depleted in oxy-gen, the root or root hairs may die, root growth will be re-duced and consequently so will above ground growth. When a soil is compacted, the pore spaces are collapsed and the movement of air and water is limited. Under poorly drained conditions, water fills all the pore spaces and oxygen is not available to the roots. Lack of either oxygen or water limits or even curtails root growth. Compacted soils need to be loosened by the use of a spader, sub-soiler, deep zone tillage and/or using deep rooted cover crops. Another factor to consider is limiting the weight of equipment and the amount of field traffic, or using permanent drive rows between beds to prevent compaction. If drainage problems cannot be corrected, select plants that have special features adapted to poorly drained or saturated sites. Since neither water nor nutrients move appreciably in the soil, roots must continuously grow into new areas of soil that con-tain these essentials. Top growth and root growth both benefit when any limestone and/or fertilizer applications are distribut-ed throughout the rooting area. This is especially important when adding phosphorus. Water is also critical for root development. When watering keep in mind that frequent, light irrigations encourage shallow root systems unable to tolerate dry periods very well. Less frequent but heavier applications of water will results in deep-er-rooted plants. This is desirable because it allows plants to tap a larger volume of soil for nutrients and water. Although roots are mostly hidden from our view, our cultural practices can do much to encourage their growth and develop-ment ultimately resulting in great looking plants.

THE ROOT OF THE MATTER

H E L P C R O P TA L K G O G R E E N !

Would you be interested in receiving Crop Talk

electronically as a PDF instead of through mail?

To sign up to receive a PDF version of Crop Talk

please email: Stacey.Stearns@uconn.edu

Thank you for helping us Go Green!

MANAGING HIGHLY FEATHERED APPLE TREES CONTINUED

Page 5 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012

The damaged root system of highly feathered trees has limited ability to take up nutrients from the soil. After planting, the up-take of Nitrogen and tree growth can be improved with frequent low doses of nitrogen fertilizer delivered at least twice weekly through the trickle system (fertigation) for the first 12 weeks of the season. With fertigation, the nitrogen which is dissolved in the water, moves rapidly with the water to the root zone and is readily available to the tree as soon as it starts growing. Our trials show that fertigation can significantly improve tree growth during the first 2 years to speed development of the canopy. Ground fertilization with dry fertilizers is often ineffective since too much time lapses between applying the fertilizer and uptake by the tree. After the first two to three years, low nitrogen fertilization is de-sirable to keep the trees calm with a balance between fruiting and cropping. Many mature high density orchards receive exces-sive nitrogen fertilizer which causes severe canopy management problems. “Soil strength” or fertility must be considered when calculating the amount of nitrogen to apply to mature high densi-ty orchards especially with vigorous and poor coloring varieties. Many soils in New York produce 30-60 lbs/acre of nitrogen annu-ally through nitrification. This is often close to the amount need-

ed by mature high density orchards. Excess fertility often results in excessive vegetative growth, delayed cropping and soft and poorly colored fruit. 5. Strict crop load management in the first 5 years. With precocious dwarfing rootstocks, young Tall Spindle apple trees with 10 pendant feathers and no pruning at planting can often overset in the 2nd or 3rd year resulting in inade-quate growth to fill the allotted space and in biennial bear-ing as early as the 4th year. This then results in increased vigor in the 4th year just when the trees have filled their allotted space and when reduced vigor is needed. Varieties differ in their biennial bearing tendency and this must be incorporated into the crop loads allowed on young trees. Based on tree growth data under different crop loads, we recommend for annual cropping varieties like ‘Gala’ a crop load of 5 fruits/cm2 trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) for the first 5 years. This results in 15-20 apples/tree in the second year, 50-60 apples/tree in the third year, and 100 apples/tree in the fourth year. For slow growing and biennial bear-ing varieties like ‘Honeycrisp’ crop loads should 3-4 fruits/cm2 TCA.

University of Connecticut Extension offers Bedding Plant Program

for Greenhouse Growers The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension is offering Bedding Plants - Spring 2013! This educational program will feature the following topics of interest to those who produce spring crops:

Tales from Grower Greenhouses: What bugged You in 2012? Leanne Pundt, Extension Educator, University of Connecticut Update on Nutrition, Chemical Growth Regulators and other Production Tips, Richard McAvoy, Department Head, Plant Science, University of Connecticut Update on Emerging Diseases,& New Fungicides for Spring Crops, Wade Elmer, Plant Pathologist, CT Agricultural Experiment Station. Edible Vegetables, Jude Boucher, Extension Educator, University of Connecticut

Get the latest information on pest control, disease management and other hot topics from University experts and net-work with professionals and other growers. In order to reach greenhouse growers throughout the state, this same program will be offered in two separate locations.

Thursday, February 14th, this program will be offered from 10 to 2:30 p.m. at the Tolland County Extension Office at

24 Hyde Avenue in Vernon, CT. 06066. Wednesday, February 20th, this program will be offered from 10 to 2:30 at the Litchfield County Extension Center at 843

University Drive in Torrington, CT.

Pesticide recertification credits for attendees from CT and other New England states (pending state approval). Handouts; lunch and beverages will be included in your registration fee of $20.00. Please make checks payable to the

University of Connecticut and send to Litchfield County Extension Center, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.

For more information contact Leanne Pundt, at 860-626-6855 or email: leanne.pundt@uconn.edu

on your planter in front of the planting shoe to remove any crop residue or stones and provide a final cleaning of the seedbed.

Cleaning or sweeping the seed bed is necessary unless you plan to kill all cover crops at less than 8 inches height or mow and re-

move rye after it matures.

Since an equipped 2- and 4-row Zone Builder weighs approximately 2,000 or 3,600 pounds, respectively, you will need a 70 hp or

120 hp tractor to pull the machine. The tractor should have 30-inch rear wheels to allow the hitch to lift the shanks off the ground.

The tractor should also have front weights to help offset some of the weight of the Zone Builder and help improve steering.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2. Fig. 3 Fig. 4

Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8

Optional Equipment

Some growers mount seed firmers (Fig. 8) on their planters to assure that all seeds are tucked into the soil to the same depth and

to help synchronize seed emergence. Other growers replace packing wheels with spiked closing wheels, especially when trying to

close the furrow in clay soils.

The Zone Builder can be ordered with concave baskets (Fig. 9) to provide a slightly raised seedbed or cultipacker-type press wheels

(Fig. 10) to help crush blocky soils. Some growers, with very stony ground, get shims (Fig. 11) to reduce the spring pressure on the

re-sets so that the shanks trip easier when they contact a rock or ledge. One grower even purchased peg plates (Fig. 12) that

attach to the top of the rear coulter posts to help him align the rear coulters to the same angle in every row. You can also replace

the pair of rear coulters with a housing of three or four coulters for more aggressive seedbed preparation, again, usually only nec-

essary on clay soils. Liquid or dry fertilizer attachments are also optional. Finally, one grower installed hydraulic lifts on his depth

wheels to allow him to roll the machine across town instead of lifting it on his three point hitch (Fig. 13).

Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12

Page 6

D E E P Z O N E T I L L A G E C O N T I N U E D

Page 7 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012

Equipment Maintenance

Grease fittings to start season. Set front coulter to penetrate 2 inches and replace when dull and it fails to cut crop residue. Re-

place shank points and side wear plates as needed (Shank Protection Kit). Adjust angle of back coulters to provide more or less ag-

gressive tillage for a smooth seed bed, depending upon soil type and residue height or thickness.

Preparing fields for DZT

Be sure all fields are limed to the proper pH before starting DZT. While some lime will be moved deeper into the soil by the shank

and coulters, it is not as easy to make large adjustments in pH with reduced-tillage equipment compared with conventional tillage

that mixes the lime throughout the soil in the plow layer. Plan to make maintenance lime applications more frequently to keep pH

adjusted properly.

Use a penetrometer (or metal probe, Fig. 14) to check the depth to the top and bottom of the plow pan in your fields. The shank on

your DZT machine should be set to till about two inches below the plow pan to improve soil drainage, allow plant roots access to

the lower soil profile during dry weather and to save fuel.

Choosing, Planting and Killing Cover Crops

To further reduce tillage, instead of harrowing crop residue (i.e. sweet corn stalks) before planting a cover crop, most DZT growers

mow off crop residue, before spinning on cover crop seed. Some DZT growers purchase no-till grain drills to completely eliminate

tillage while planting a cover crop.

It is important that cover crops are completely dead in the spring before using DZT.

Most growers use winter rye as their cover crop because it will establish throughout September and even into October during warm

falls. In most cases, rye should be killed in the spring before it is 8 inches tall, to maximize nitrogen credits and for easy DZT in early

spring vegetable plantings. Larger rye may take up to 3 weeks to die and be ready for DZT in cool spring weather. For pumpkins

and winter squash, growers often prefer to let the rye reach 24-30 inches before killing it, which provides a protective barrier of

residue to help keep the fruit clean and sound. Rolling the rye and heavy seeding rates (>150 lbs./A) need to be used to provide

even minimal weed control. During or after pollination, rye can also be mowed and baled without risk of regrowth. It is easy to DZT

through rye stubble, but a light dose of post-emergence herbicide (i.e. 1 pt of Roundup) may be needed with your pre-emergence

herbicide to kill small weeds that emerged before the rye was cut.

Mixes of rye and other cover crop species help improve soil health by increasing populations of soil microorganisms. Some growers

use a mix of rye and tillage- or Daikon radishes. The radishes grow up to 20 inches deep and keep hard pans from reforming. They

capture and then re-release excess nitrogen when they winter kill, while the rye provides spring cover for the soil. Radish mixes

should be planted in August for good fall growth. “Cocktail mixes” of up to 13 different cover crop species can be used to increase

the diversity of soil microorganisms.

Oats can be used and will winter kill where a grower prefers to avoid using a herbicide to kill the cover crop. Oats should be estab-

lished in August.

Buckwheat, sorghum-sudan or Sudex can be used as a late summer cover crop/smother crop to build up soil organic matter and to

avoid additional tillage (i.e. instead of harrowing to prevent weeds from going to seed after early harvested crops, such as sweet

corn). Plant in June, July or early August.

Herbicides

Glyphosate (i.e. Roundup) or paraquat (i.e. Gramoxone) may be used to kill the cover crop. Remember that it may take three weeks

to kill the cover crop in cool weather, and plan ahead, so that your fields are ready for DZT and planting. For best results, glypho-

sate should be applied with 10-20 gallons of water per acre, while paraquat should be applied with 80 gpa.

D E E P Z O N E T I L L A G E C O N T I N U E D

Sweet corn, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, beans and peas can all be direct-seeded after DZT. Most transplants can also be set

following DZT. Standard pre-emergence herbicides can be used for most crops. Post-emergence herbicides may or may not be

needed depending upon weed pressure in a particular field, just as with conventional tillage. Herbicides must reach the soil to be

effective. This is easy if the cover crop is dead. Rain or irrigation may be needed to improve coverage and activate products. The

soil texture and organic matter content determine the rate of herbicide to use, not the amount of crop residue on top.

Growers new to DZT should start with large-seeded crops with effective herbicide choices, such as sweet corn, pumpkins or winter

squash.

Sweet corn: Use a common broadleaf and grass herbicide mix (i.e. Callisto and/or atrazine + Dual Magnum or Prowl or Frontier or

Lasso). Post-emergence products (i.e. Impact) can be used if needed.

Pumpkins or winter squash: Use common pre-emergence herbicides (i.e. Stategy or Curbit + Sandea). Post-emergence applica-

tions may be applied if necessary (i.e. Sandea or Poast).

After several years of using DZT, annual weed pressure may decline, but perennial pressure may increase. Control perennial

weeds (i.e. dandelions) with fall applications of systemic herbicide (i.e. Roundup).

Fertilization with DZT

As with conventional tillage, all fertilizer should be banded at planting or side dressed to avoid feeding weeds between rows.

Sometimes potassium is bulk spread prior to field preparation and planting to avoid burning plant roots with excess salt (N + K),

depending upon how much fertilizer is recommended by the soil test. If applicators are installed to apply starter fertilizer to both

sides of the row, then more than 90 pounds of N and K can be banded at planting. Side-dressing equipment may be retrofitted

with no-till disk openers (Fig. 15) to allow for placement of nitrogen below the soil surface, even outside of the tilled zone. Side-

dressing may also be followed by cultivation to help prevent volatilization (Fig. 16).

For sweet corn, a tank can be added to the tractor or DZT machine (Fig. 17) and liquid nitrogen (28-32%) can be placed 8-inches

below the seed through a tube running down the back of the DZT shank (Fig 18). Liquid potash (K) is also available. A nitrogen

stabilizer (slow release N) should be used if you will not be side-dressing additional N. If the rye cover crop is killed at about 8

inches, 20 pounds of N should be credited towards the total needed by the crop.

Fig. 13 Fig. 14 Fig.15 Fig. 16

Field preparation with DZT

The Zone Builder should be operated at 3 to 4 mph. Row markers or foam markers can be used to space rows. Fields can be pre-

pared without sinking equipment even when they are wet because the cover crop provides support. Over several years, pulling

the Zone Builder becomes easier because compaction is reduced over time.

Planting

Planting can be done the same day as DZT or at the same time. Following the prepared seedbeds with the planter is easy. Because

D E E P Z O N E T I L L A G E C O N T I N U E D

Page 8

it doesn’t take a week to prepare the field, and moisture is retained under the mulch, DZT results in better seed emergence and

stands when planting during dry spells.

One grower created a fifth-wheel style hitch for his planter (Fig. 19) so that he could prepare the field and plant in one pass. He

developed the fifth-wheel style hitch that connects to the front of the Zone Builder (rather than the back) to distribute the weight

of the planter closer to the tractor to avoid levering the front of the tractor up and decreasing steering.

Raised Beds/Plasticulture

An effort should be made to pass a shank directly under each crop row on the bed. One grower prepares raised-beds using con-

ventional tillage and bed-making techniques. He simply passes DZT shanks through the tilled soil at 14-inch spacing prior to mak-

ing the bed and laying plastic (Fig. 20).

Another grower would make two separate close passes with the Zone Builder if the bed was to have two rows of crops (i.e. pep-

pers). He would then run the bed-maker over the slots created by the Zone Builder. He used extra-large disks on his bed maker to

gather enough soil to make a firm bed.

Some growers only prepare beds on land where DZT has been used for several years to break up plow pans and relieve compac-

tion. Instead of disturbing the entire field surface using conventional tillage (plow and harrow), they may simply loosen a strip of

soil for the bed-maker using chisel plow shanks.

Cultivation

A Reigi Weeder can be used to remove weeds in the row for widely spaced crops (e.g. pumpkins or peppers). Lilliston rolling cul-

tivators or spider cultivators can be used through light residue. Traditional shank and shoe cultivators will also work.

Fig. 17 Fig. 18 Fig. 19 Fig. 20

Page 9 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012

D E E P Z O N E T I L L A G E C O N T I N U E D

The Connecticut GAP School will offer a variety of programming this winter season for those interested in finding out more about GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) programs aimed at reducing the risk for food-borne illness from fresh produce. For more information regarding programs, location, and registration, con-tact Diane Hirsch at diane.hirsch@uconn.edu or 203.407.3163.

GAP Lite (introduction, the basics): January 14, half day; GAP School (2 day, full course to prepare for an audit): January 30 and 31—Vernon Writing a Food Safety Plan (hands on, bring your laptop, start writing your plan): February 21, one full day in Vernon GAP Update (for those who have been audited or attended a program): February 7—Vernon

Gap Lite: February 16—Half Day—North Haven

C O N N E C T I C U T G A P S C H O O L

Page 10

CONNECTICUT VEGETABLE & SMALL FRUIT GROWER’S CONFERENCE

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Tolland County Extension Center, 24 Hyde Avenue (Route 30), Vernon, CT, 06066

Sponsored by: University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System & USDA

UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

8:00—9:00 Registration $30 at the door—Trade Show/Lunch/Coffee/Donuts (included in registration)

Trade Show Exhibitors listed on the next page

PROGRAM: Morning Moderator—Mary Concklin, UConn CES

9:00 Welcome—Mike O’Neill, Associate Dean of Extension, UConn CANR

9:05 Effects of Fungicide Timing and Tillage on Resistant Pumpkins—Jude Boucher, UConn

9:30 Management of Basil Downy Mildew for Organic Growers—Joan Allen, UConn

10:00 Effects of Plant Density and Tillage on ‘Montauk’ Sweet Corn—Rob Durgy, CAES and Jude Boucher

10:30—10: 45 Break (Trade Show/Coffee and Donuts)

10:45 Lessons Learned: First-Year CSA, *Volunteer grower presentation,

Michele Collins, Fair Weather Acres, Rocky Hill, CT

11:15 Spotted Wing Drosophila Update—Mary Concklin, UConn

11:45 The GAP Audit: Explained—Mark Zotti, CT DOA & Diane Hirsch, UConn

12:15—1:15 Lunch Break/Trade Show (Lunch included in registration fee as a 4-H club benefit)

Afternoon Moderator—Donna Ellis, UConn Plant Science

1:15 Selection Criteria and Modification of Backpack Sprayers for Small-Scale Farmers—

John Grande, Rutgers University

2:00 Low-Cost Hydroponic System for Vegetables and Herbs *Volunteer grower presentation,

Bruce Gresczyk, Jr., Gresczyk Farms, New Hartford, CT

2:30 Using Multiple Cover Crop Strategies to Improve Soil Health and Reduce Weed Pressure—

Eero Ruuttila, *Mentor Grower/UConn

3:00 Re-certification Credits: 3.75 hours

Directions: Take Exit 67 off I-84. Take Route 31 north to junction of Route 30 at first traffic light. Turn right on to

Route 30. Tolland County Ag Center is on right just after Rockville Savings Bank. Contact: Jude Boucher 860-875-3331.

The University of Connecticut is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Please call three weeks prior to this event if special accom-

modations are needed.

Page 11 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2012

Trade Show Exhibitors

Farm Credit East

OESCO INC.

Applied Agricultural Technology

Johnny’s Selected Seeds

Globe Bag Company

Harris Seeds

Brookdale Farm Irrigation Supplies

Seedway

Arthur Carol Insurance Co.

Specialty Ag Products

Stanton Equipment

USDA Risk Management Agency

Bloat Nematode on Garlic, CAES

Crop Talk Editors / Contributors

Jude Boucher, Commercial Vegetable Crops, UConn Cooperative

Extension, (860)875-3331, jude.boucher@uconn.edu

Mary Concklin, Commercial Fruit Crops, UConn Department of Plant

Science and Landscape Architecture (860)486-6585,

mary.concklin@uconn.edu

Stacey Stearns, Clerk/Typist, Newsletter Layout

Administrative Officers

Gregory Weidemann, Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Michael P. O’Neill, Associate Dean for Extension and Associate Director

of the Cooperative Extension System

Bonnie E. Burr, Assistant Director, Cooperative Extension System

Cameron Faustman, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and

Director, Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, Storrs Agricultural

Experiment Station

Richard McAvoy, Interim Head, Department of Plant Science and

Landscape Architecture

The information in this newsletter is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension System does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. All agrichemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law. Warning! Agrichemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrichemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers, out of reach of children, pets and livestock. Dispose of empty containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations. The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gregory Weidemann, Director, Cooperative Extension System, University of Connecticut, Storrs. An equal opportunity program provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, Stop Code 9410, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964.

College of Agriculture

and Natural Resources

University of Connecticut

Cooperative Extension System

24 Hyde Avenue

Vernon, CT 06066

2012-2013 New England Vegetable

Management Guide Available

The updated 2012-2013 New England Vegetable Manage-

ment Guide is now available in print for $25 or on the web

at www.nevegetable.org. The guide contains sections on

cultural practices, pest management, vegetable transplant

production, 40 different crops, Risk Management, a list of

references for commercial growers, and color pictures for

most of the insects, diseases and weeds mentioned in the

guide. For a hardcopy, send a check made out to “UConn”

to UConn Communications and Information Technology,

1376 Storrs Rd. U-4035, Storrs, CT 06269-4035.