The rich, fertile soils of Sandusky County, Ohio, are ideal for
vegetable production, and in 1978 the Vegetable Crops Branch of OARDC was established near
Fremont. It is here on 105 acres of sandy loam and clay loam soils that fields of
tomatoes, pickling cucumbers, cabbage, sweet corn, pumpkins and peppers thrive. The crops
in these fields are under careful scrutiny by Ohio State University scientists. Their
research has a tremendous effect on growers in this region and all of Ohio.
Tomatoes are the primary crop here, and emphasis is placed on
developing new cultivars for the whole-pack peeled tomato market. The tomato industry
wants varieties with improved fruit quality and disease resistance. All aspects of tomato
production are analyzed fertility, transplant quality, growth regulators, weed
management, and tomato peeling and processing.
Peeling efficiency is an important project if too much of the peel
is removed from the tomato, processors lose money and consumers lose nutrients. Tomatoes
are grown at the branch and then processed into canned products for evaluation. Scientists
measure the efficiency and ease of peeling and processing. The tomato plots are harvested
and fruit is transported to Ohio State labs in Columbus and Wooster for quality analysis,
including such traits as color uniformity, acidity and firmness.
The branch also supports a region-wide tomato disease forecasting
network called TOM-CAST. The network covers Ohio, Indiana and Michigan tomato industries.
The system helps growers decide when to schedule sprays against three major tomato
diseases. With TOM-CAST, growers know to spray only when conditions are favorable for
disease, rather than on a regular basis. This saves growers money and minimizes pesticide
applications.
In addition to tomato studies, the branch also supports research on pumpkins, peppers,
wheat breeding and development, and cultivar evaluations
on fresh market cabbage and early season potatoes. Soybeans, wheat and alfalfa are grown
in rotation with the vegetable crops. In the past, sugar beets were also studied.
Research at the Vegetable Crops Branch is greatly influenced by local
growers and processors, and through the Vegetable Crops Branch Liaison Committee.
Committee members include processors, growers, scientists and agricultural business
people. The members know the challenges and experience the problems facing vegetable crop
producers. OARDC scientists devote their resources to finding ways to strengthen the
industry.
The Vegetable Crops Branch allows scientists to find the best methods
for vegetable crop production, while using integrated solutions to protect the
environment.