CarrotCountry.com Fall 2020
SEEDS OF CHANGE
• Biologicals and Cavity Spot • International Carrot Conference Postponed Until 2022 • Research Continues During COVID
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PO Box 333 Roberts, Idaho 83444 Telephone: (208) 520-6461
www.carrotcountry.com Carrot Country Contacts Editor Denise Keller
editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
Publisher / Advertising Dave Alexander dave@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com Director of Operations Brian Feist brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com
EDITORIAL INFORMATION Carrot Country is interested in newsworthy material related to carrot production and marketing. Contributions from all segments of the industry are welcome. Submit news releases, new product submissions, stories and photos via email to: editor@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com, or call (509) 697-9436.
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Vol. 28, No. 3
In This Issue:
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Seeds of Change
Latum Creek Ranch
International Carrot Conference Postponed Until 2022 On the Spot
Screening Biologicals for Management of Carrot Cavity Spot
12 Research Continues Amidst COVID Shutdown
University of California Cooperative Extension Trial
Crews lift carrots for the University of California Cooperative Extension Kern County Carrot Variety Trial.
SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S................... 1 year $16 Canada ............ 1 year $24 Foreign ............ 1 year $40 Payments may be made by check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Subscribe online at: www.carrotcountry.com or call (503) 724-3581. Email address changes/corrections to brian@ColumbiaMediaGroup.com or mail to: Carrot Country PO Box 333 Roberts, ID 83444
Carrot Country magazine (ISSN 1071-6653), is published quarterly and mailed under a standard rate mailing permit at Idaho Falls, Idaho and at additional mailing offices. Produced by Columbia Media Group PO Box 333, Roberts, ID, 83444. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Columbia Media Group. For information on reprints call (208) 520-6461.
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Fall 2020
See story on page 12.
On the Cover: Zak Stephenson grows 40 acres of carrot seed in Central Washington. This year, he’s growing a Bejo Seeds variety, pictured here in late July. Read more on page 4.
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SEEDS OF CHANGE
Zak Stephenson holds carrot seed in his hand mid-season.
Latum Creek Ranch Story and photos by Denise Keller, Editor
Zak
Stephenson farms 1,800 acres spread across the White Swan area of the Yakama Indian Reservation in Central Washington. But it’s a 40-acre field of carrot seed that demands as much time as he spends on the bulk of his farm. In his third year growing carrot seed, Stephenson is finding it to be highly labor intensive but is embracing the challenges that come with learning a new crop. In addition to carrot seed, Stephenson grows 1,000 acres of alfalfa and 160 acres of alfalfa seed, as well as wheat as a rotation crop. In the past, he has farmed up to 800 acres of alfalfa seed, but that number has been decreasing due to changes in market demand. While looking for an opportunity to fill some of the void left by the dwindling alfalfa seed acreage, Stephenson was approached by Central Oregon Seeds, Inc.
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The company produces seed for major seed companies and was looking for growers in the area to expand its carrot seed production. Stephenson planted his first crop of carrot seed in 2017 and is growing a Bejo Seeds variety this year.
POLLINATING THE CROP
Stephenson grows carrot seed on a fiveyear rotation, planting the crop after wheat. It’s a 13-month crop, planted in mid- to late-August and harvested mid-September the following year. During a six-week period mid-summer, bees do much of the heavy lifting in developing the seed crop. “It’s all about pollen transfer. You want the bees actively foraging and collecting pollen and nectar from the carrots. The male plants are producing a lot of pollen. The bees are moving from that and
jumping to the female plants, and they’re covered in pollen,” Stephenson describes. He stocks the field with 3.5 hives per acre, almost overloading the field with pollinators. “Carrots aren’t their favorite food in the world, so you want as many as you can. A certain percentage will go into something a little sweeter with higher sugar content,” he explains. He also uses leafcutter bees in the carrot seed because he has more leafcutters than needed for the current alfalfa seed acreage. His experience growing alfalfa seed, a crop that has been part of the family’s farming operation since the 1950s, has been beneficial as he gets into carrots. It’s helped him come into the crop knowing how to deal with pollinators, understanding how seed develops and owning the right harvest equipment. However, alfalfa seed requires
less labor, allows for more mechanical cultivation and offers more chemical options for weed control compared to the hybrid carrot seed crop. “It’s been more hands on. You have to look at it every day,” the grower says of carrot seed. “It’s a complex crop.”
MANAGING THE CHALLENGES
The crop requires the most babysitting in the spring, Stephenson says. A crew of 15 typically hoes the fields and thins the rows of female plants to create 8 to 10 inches between plants, which allows each plant more space to grow flowers. Herbicides are also applied. This year, Stephenson opted to forgo the extra help due to concerns about COVID-19. This made for an especially busy spring for his seven full-time employees and meant he had to live with some weeds in the field. When June rolls around, Stephenson applies insecticides, miticides and fungicides to keep problems at bay before introducing the bees a week later. Once the bees are out of the field, another cocktail of chemicals is sprayed to eliminate pests. The male plants are mowed, and female rows are weeded. As a relatively new carrot seed grower, Stephenson is still fine tuning his management of the crop. The first two years’ crops had low germination rates, requiring more cleaning of the seed, which ultimately reduced yield. The grower attributes the lower germination rates to lygus bugs. The insects often migrate from hay fields when hay is cut, and then sting the seed and make it no longer viable. “If we can’t control that, we can’t make seed,” Stephenson says. Lygus bugs are difficult to control and may be building up resistance to some chemicals, according to Stephenson. The grower scouts fields weekly and monitors the buildup of lygus populations. However, once bees are in the field, he can no longer spray insecticides. “Whatever kills the lygus is going to kill the bees,” he says. Unlike the cool, wet springs the area has had the last couple years, this year has been drier and lygus pressure has been lighter. Stephenson is curious to see how this affects the germination rate, hoping
Zak Stephenson checks seed development mid-season.
Bees work in the fields for six weeks, starting in early June.
that less insect pressure results in better germination. In late July, the crop was setting well. “It’s all going to be in the next couple weeks. This is where the crop is made. Once the bees come out, those four to five weeks are really critical,” the grower explains.
ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE
Stephenson is a fourth-generation farmer. His great-grandfather moved to an 80-acre farm in the area when the
irrigation project opened around 1930. His grandfather expanded the farm to what it is now. His dad, Vern, is mostly retired but helps during harvest. Stephenson graduated from Washington State University with a general ag degree in 1997 and has been managing the farm since 2000. His brother, Alex, is a partner and manages the farm’s chemical program and hay trucking. After farming hay and other row crops all his life, Stephenson is enjoying growing a hybrid crop. “Seed in general is interesting to me. I like working with the pollinators and CarrotCountry.com
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Latum Creek Ranch watching them work. I’ll come out to the field and watch the bees move back and forth. I find that interesting and enjoy that,” he shares. He also has liked learning about drip irrigation, which is used in carrot seed production because it delivers water deeper to the roots and because bees won’t work under sprinklers. “It’s been fun having a new crop. I like the challenges. It’s something different. You get stagnant if you don’t change things up a little every once in a while. Doing the same thing almost becomes boring after a while. You have to change,” Stephenson says. The grower is not planting carrot seed this fall in order to reassess things and get the rotation on track to plant into a desirable field next year. Going forward, he plans to keep production between 40 and 80 acres in order to minimize risk. So far, the crop has been more profitable than hay and wheat, and if he can increase the germination rate, there’s potential for real profit, he says. “It should pay for itself at the end. That’s the thought,” he smiles.
A field of carrot seed blooms in July.
Ladybugs will eat lygus bugs, a major insect pest in carrot seed production.
International Carrot Conference Postponed Until 2022 By Lindsey du Toit, Tim Waters, Carrie Wohleb and Sheri Nolan, 40th International Carrot Conference Organizing Committee
I
t is very disappointing to have to announce the decision to postpone the 40th International Carrot Conference (ICC) that was scheduled to take place Oct. 5-6 in Mount Vernon, Washington (www.internationalcarrots.org). Based on significant international attendance at past ICCs and significant uncertainties around travel capabilities and approvals for a meeting of more than 100 attendees under the current COVID-19 restrictions in Washington state, the organizing committee of the 40th ICC has decided to postpone this event. The International Apiaceae Conference is scheduled for Oct. 4-7, 2021 in England. Since there is significant overlap in those interested in attending that event as well as the 40th ICC, the 40th ICC will be held in Washington state in late summer/early fall 2022. The dates will be finalized in 2021. We welcome your recommendations for potential dates of the conference between late August and late September 2022. We thank you for your gracious understanding during this very difficult time of a global pandemic that has affected all of us in so many ways. We hope you and your families and colleagues stay healthy. We hope to see you in 2022, if not sooner.
A global audience enjoys the field day at the 39th International Carrot Conference in Bakerfsfield, Calif., held in April 2017.
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On the Spot Screening Biologicals for Management of Carrot Cavity Spot By Jaspreet Sidhu, Vegetable Crops Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension
C
avity spot is one of the most economically important soil-borne diseases of carrots in California. It is caused by several species of Pythium in different carrot producing regions. P. violae and P. sulcatum are considered to be the main causal agents in California. Cavity spot is characterized by small, sunken, elliptical or irregular shaped lesions on the surface of carrot root. Lesions can occur anywhere on the root surface but are more abundant on the upper third of the taproot. Lesions become dark and increase in size as carrots mature. These symptoms reduce the quality of carrots and render these carrots unmarketable, thereby having an economic impact on growers. No visible symptoms are observed on the aboveground plant parts. Another serious problem often attributed to Pythium species is the root dieback (forking and stubbing) of carrots. If the young taproot is infected at an early stage (two to three weeks after germination), the taproot is either reduced in length (stubbing) or experiences multiple root formation (forking). Pythium-induced forking is also a serious concern for carrot growers, and in California, P. irregulare and P. ultimum are associated with forking and stubbing. Forking and stubbing can also be caused by other factors such as hardpans and nematodes. In conventional production systems, cavity spot management relies mostly on the use of fungicides. Currently, mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold SL), cyazofamid (Ranman) and fenamidone (Reason 500SC) are registered for cavity spot management in California.
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Table 1: Treatments, application timings and rates for the cavity spot biological products screening trial
Treatment
Rate per acre
Applications
A week after planting, every 14 days throughout the season At planting, followed by DN 4 and 8 weeks after 2 Soil Guard 5 lb / acre planting At planting, every 14-18 days throughout the 3 Life Guard 4.5 oz / 100 GPA season 4 Double Nickel 1 qt / acre At planting, 4 and 8 weeks after planting 5 Sil Matrix 1 gallon / acre At planting, 4 and 8 weeks after planting At planting, every 4-6 weeks throughout the 6 Root Shield 3-8 oz / 100 G Water season 1 g per plot after seeding and then every 4-6 7 Prefence weeks throughout the season 8 Ridomil 0.5-1.3 pt / acre At planting, followed by 3 in-season applications 9 Luna Sensation 5 oz / acre At planting, followed by 3 in-season applications After emergence, 3 weeks after the first 10 Sumagrow 1oz / 1,000 sq feet application, 6 weeks after the first application 11 Control 1
AGN
1 gallon / acre
Management of cavity spot in organic production systems is extremely challenging due to the wide host range of pathogens and limited/partial varietal resistance. Proper water management and timely harvest may help in reducing the disease incidence to some extent. With limited cavity spot management options in organic production, alternative management options are needed. Several bio-fungicides are registered for use against Pythium in California, but not much is known about the efficacy of these bio-fungicides in controlling cavity spot in the field.
Biological Pesticides Trial
A biological screening trial to identify potential biological pesticides for managing cavity spot was conducted in 2019 at the UCCE Shafter Research Farm in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The trial was designed as a replicated block design with four replicates. Each individual plot was 20 feet long and 2.5 feet wide. Carrot seeds cv. Sequoia were seeded (three lines per bed) on April 8. The trial was managed following grower standard agronomic practices. Average daily high and low temperatures
Average daily high and low temperature for the entire trial period
Figure 1: Average daily high and low temperatures for the entire trial period (data source: California Irrigation Management Information Weather Station)
Â
Figure 1. Average daily high and low temperatures for2:52 thePMentire trial period (data source: 20-09 Carrot Country-.5H page.v1.outlines.pdf 1 2020-08-10 California Irrigation Management Information Weather Station) Â
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Biologicals for Cavity Spot Table 2: Percent cavity spot and percent forking on carrot roots
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Treatment
Percent Cavity Spot
Percent Forking
AGN Soil Guard Life Guard Double Nickel Sil Matrix Root Shield Prefence Ridomil Luna Sensation Sumagrow Control
2.05 2.49 0.93 2.83 2.36 1.29 1.31 2.12 2.49 3.87 4.23 F10,33=0.60 p=0.81
16.3 25.94 20.90 24.53 21.94 21.12 23.86 28.87 20.56 27.24 18.43 F10,33=0.54 p=0.85
that cover the entire trial period from April 8 to August 7 are plotted (Fig. 1). There were 11 treatments including nine biological fungicides, untreated control and conventional fungicide as a standard. Treatments were applied using sprinkler cans with rates and timings as specified in Table 1. Immediately following the treatments, plots were sprinkler irrigated to wash the products down. The trail was completed on August 7, and a one-meter row of carrots from each plot was harvested for data collection. The carrots were rinsed off, and the roots were rated for cavity spot lesions and Pythium-induced forking/stubbing. Data were analyzed using an appropriate model in the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. The trial results are summarized in Fig. 2 and Table 2. No significant differences among treatments were observed for cavity spot and forking; however, Ridomil Gold (standard) had a higher percent of forking compared to other treatments and control. AGN had a lower percentage of forking but was not significantly different from other treatments. Not much cavity spot was seen on the carrots, but Pythium-induced forking was observed. The temperature during some weeks of the growing period was very high and might have influenced the efficacy of some of these biological products.
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Another trial is being conducted at the station to further evaluate these biological fungicides. Author’s note: Jed Dubose, research associate with University of California Cooperative Extension, and student interns Jennifer Fernberg and Cristal Hernandez assisted with this research.
Cavity spot lesions are seen on these carrot roots. Photo courtesy Joe Nunez, University of California Cooperative Extension
Pythium can cause stubbing and forking of carrot roots. Photo courtesy Joe Nunez, University of California Cooperative Extension
Average daily high and low temperature for the entire trial period
Figure 2: Percent cavity spot and forking on carrot roots
Figure 2. Percent cavity spot and forking on carrot roots
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Research Continues Amidst COVID Shutdown By Jaspreet Sidhu, Vegetable Crops Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension This variety had about 85 percent bolting.
O
ver the past several months, COVID-19 has impacted a lot of people in the United States and globally and led to an unprecedented social, economic and public health crisis. Although agriculture is an essential industry and we need it more than ever to maintain the food supply chain, it is also coping with the challenges posed by COVID-19. Like many other agriculture sectors, University of California Cooperative Extension-Kern County has continued research and extension activities with safety guidelines in place. Despite some challenges, the Kern County carrot variety trial was harvested and evaluated on June 25. The Kern County carrot variety trial is conducted every year at a grower’s field in Kern County. Common standard carrot varieties used in the California carrot industry are grown alongside newly released carrot varieties and potential new carrot varieties for release. It is unfortunate that we had to forego the traditional field day where members of the carrot industry meet to view and evaluate the carrot varieties, but we are still committed to sharing our research and reaching out to our stakeholders.
This numbered line was one of 32 cello carrot cultivars in the trial.
Cristal Hernandez, a student intern, shows off a large cello carrot.
Rainbow ranked among the best colored carrot varieties in the trial.
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Research The trial included 34 cut-and-peel entries, 32 cello entries and 19 colored entries from five seed companies and the USDA Cooperative Breeding Program. The carrots were grown under good conditions following grower standards, and no noticeable disease or pest problem was observed. However, several of the colored entries bolted, and bolting varied from 30 percent to 90 percent in these entries. Another carrot variety trial will be planted in the fall with a potential field day in January for the industry. For more information, visit www.ucanr.edu/kerncarrottrial. Author’s note: Jed Dubose, research associate with University of California Cooperative Extension, and student interns Jennifer Fernberg and Cristal Hernandez assisted with this trial.
High Cut was one of the outstanding cut-and-peel carrots.
In the News
Calendar
PNVA Moves Online
Sept. 22-24
The Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association (PNVA) is joining the long list of organizations to move their conferences online due to COVID-19. The annual PNVA conference will be held virtually Nov. 18-19. The group’s board of directors is working on plans to provide attendees with educational sessions covering pest management, organic production, onions and general vegetable topics. Organizers are also working to put together a program that will allow attendees to obtain recertification credits through their state. They plan to make additional details available in September. For more information, visit www.pnva.org or contact Sheri Nolan at snolan@agmgt.com.
Irrigation Product Earns Innovation Award
Lindsay Corporation’s new FieldNET Pivot Watch has been selected as an AE50 award winner for 2020. Presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the award recognizes the year’s most innovative designs in engineering products or systems for the food and agriculture industries. FieldNET Pivot Watch is the company’s budget-friendly irrigation monitoring solution. Pivot Watch works on any pivot brand and offers do-it-yourself installation. It includes a solar-powered remote telemetry device and a monitor-only subscription to Lindsay’s FieldNET irrigation management platform. Pivot Watch has integrated cellular connectivity, GPS positioning and other embedded sensors, enabling growers to remotely monitor their pivots’ functions using the FieldNET app.
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Hazera Experience Days Online www.hazera-events.com
Oct. 13-15
PMA Fresh Summit Online www.freshsummit.com
Nov. 18-19
Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show Online Sheri Nolan, (509) 585-5460 or www.pnva.org
Dec. 8-10
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO Online www.glexpo.com
Editor’s note: To have your event listed, please email Denise Keller at editor@columbiamediagroup.com. Please send your information 90 days in advance.
New Products Greentronics Improves In-Line Conveyor Scale Greentronics has added several new features to its RiteWeight in-line conveyor scale product. The new features are designed to automate harvest and storage data recording. Data are uploaded via Android phone or tablet to the Greentronics cloud server for processing and reporting in near real-time. Maps and reports can be viewed, downloaded, shared or printed from anywhere via secure log-in. A range of reports detail how much crop is stored and where it was grown. 2D maps show where crop is stored by date, field and variety. By including a crop temperature sensor with the scale, maps will provide a temperature profile for each cellar. Maps allow growers to easily complete traceability reports, and harvest and storage progress can be monitored from anywhere. Reports show inventory levels, and other scales and yield monitors may be added to provide additional details about performance in the field and trash percentage. Visit www.greentronics.com.
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