Wednesday, December 22, 2021

2020-2021 Palmer Vegetable Variety trials

Vegetable cultivar trials were conducted in the summers of 2020 and 2021 at the UAF Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) and Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center (MEFEC) (61.5° N, 149.24° W). 2020 was the first year variety trials were held at MEFEC and there was insufficient data on some crops, so those results have been included in the 2021 report.

The goal of the trials is to help local gardeners and farmers choose varieties that perform well in Southcentral Alaska. The soil at the farm is Knik silt-loam with a pH of 7. Plot sizes are small and different results are likely on a larger scale and in different soil types and fertility.

Weather

In 2020, the Palmer growing season started with relatively warm temperatures in May that continued into June, July and August. Precipitation was not particularly great throughout the growing season, with the most precipitation occurring in July. The warm temperatures in May, June, July and August allowed crops that thrive in warmer temperatures to do a little better than expected. In comparison to 2020, the 2021 Palmer growing season started with a cooler May. The cool temperatures continued in June, July and August, with August and September having larger amounts of precipitation. The cooler weather in 2021 seemed to slow germination rates and warm-weather crops did not perform as well in 2021 as they did in 2020.

Experimental Design

In 2020, beans, beets and carrots were grown in replicated trials in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Fennel, spinach and winter squash were grown in randomized unreplicated or screening trials.

In 2021, the same experimental design was employed, with the addition of Brussels sprouts and celery, which were grown unreplicated.

For the full results of the trials, see Glenna Gannon's full report at afesresearch.uaf.edu/publications. Search for keyword "Palmer."

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