Now showing items 1-20 of 41

    • Peonies for field cut flower production first-year growth

      Holloway, Patricia S.; Hanscom, Janice T.; Matheke, Grant E. M. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2003-10)
    • Peonies for field cut flower production

      Holloway, Patricia S.; Hanscom, Janice T.; Matheke, Grant E.M. (Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2005-07)
    • CANOLA QUALITY IN ALASKA (2001 HARVEST)

      Geier, Hans (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004-01)
      In 2001, approximately eight acres of canola (Brassica campestris/rapa) was planted on the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station’s Delta Field Research Site. Three Polish varieties were planted, mainly Reward and Colt, with a small amount of Horizon. Approximately ten 1500-pound bags of canola were harvested, totalling a yield of 15,000 pounds, nearly a ton per acre. In July of 2003 a small oil press was set up at the AFES Farm and about 25 gallons of oil was pressed. The oil yield was about 25–30% of the weight of the seed. The products, oil and meal, along with five samples of the canola seed were sent to SunWest Food Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for analysis. This report contains quality data from tests of the canola seed, oil, and meal from the 2001 canola grown on the Delta farm.
    • TRITICALE COMPARED WITH OATS AND WEAL BARLEY AS A FORAGE AT PT. MACKENZIE

      Mitchell, W.W. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1989-03)
      Trials conducted with entries of oats, barley, and triticale on the university tract in 1987 and 1988 provided the first research information on triticale for forage use at Pt. MacKenzie. Triticale is a hybrid resulting from a cross between wheat and rye. The rye ancestry would confer greater acid tolerance than is possessed by wheat alone. In previous trials with cereals on the moderately to strongly acidic soils of Pt. MacKenzie, the better yielding oat varieties have out produced barley (Mitchell 1983 and unpublished data).
    • Phosphorus Rate Effects on Establishment of Perennial Grasses And on Soil Values at Point MacKenzie

      Mitchell, Wm. W.; Mitchell, G. Allen (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, 1986-02)
      This trial concentrates on the effects of varying rates of P with N and K supplied in amounts judged to be ample for establishment of perennial grasses. The results indicated that, by seeding sufficiently early and supplying 90-120 lb P20 5/acre, harvestable amounts of forage could be obtained in the year o f seeding. Reed canarygrass would provide the most forage in the first year; how ever, in previous trials timothy has been more durable and higher yielding over a series of years (Mitchell, in press). Laboratory measurements of crude protein and digestible dry matter indicated the quality of the forage would be good to excellent. The high-yielding reed canarygrass was the lowest in quality but still afforded about 13 per cent crude protein and 60 percent digestible dry matter. The trial is to be continued to determine the cumulative effects of annual fertilizer applications at the same rates on yields and soil test values. A question of immediate concern is the possible effect of promoting high production in the year of establishment on the overwintering characteristics of the grasses.
    • 2005 Potato Variety Trials in the Matanuska Valley, Alaska

      Smeenk, J.; Leiner, R.; Terry, G. (Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2006-06)
      Twenty-two potato varieties were grown under irrigation at the AFES Palmer Research and Extension Center. The trial contained red, white, and russet-skinned varieties. The late-season rains provided ideal conditions for late blight (Phytopthora infestans), which appeared in the Matanuska Valley in mid August. Late blight affected the tubers leading to a reduction in marketable potatoes in many varieties.
    • Cultivar Trials on Field-Grown Tomatoes

      Matheke, Grant E.M.; Holloway, Patricia S.; Hanscom, Janice T. (Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2006-03)
      The purpose of this research was to evaluate new commercial cultivars and compare them against one of our standards in an attempt to expand the choices of outdoor-grown tomatoes for interior Alaska.
    • PEONIES FOR FIELD CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION SECOND-YEAR GROWTH

      Holloway, Patricia S.; Hanscom, Janice T.; Matheke, Grant E.M. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004-04)
      Cultivar trials with herbaceous peonies were initiated during the summer of 2001 to evaluate their potential as field-grown cut flowers. The plants became well established, and all but three cultivars bloomed in 2002. The bloom times for all cultivars ranged from 30 June through the first week of August (Holloway et al. 2003). The purpose of this report is to present evaluations of the cultivar trials through the 2003 growing season and identify possible problems with flowering and plant establishment. Peonies for the cut flower market are typically not harvested until their fourth season, so this initial data only reflects the plant establishment phase of field production.
    • TURFGRASS PERFORMANCE FOR GOLF COURSES IN SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA

      Mitchell, Allen; Gavlak, Ray; Hall, Beth; Evers, Timothy (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2003-09)
      There are currently more than 20 public golf courses in Alaska that suffer varying degrees of winter turf injury from diseases, ice suffocation, and winterkill. For example, during the winter of 2001–2002, essentially every green and many fairways in Alaska suffered some degree of winter injury resulting in significant expense to reseed. The current study evaluated and compared new varieties and species against Nugget and Arctared on sand-based greens and soil-based fairways. We also assessed overseeding with rough bluegrass and bentgrass as a remedial treatment to establish playable greens.
    • Use of Canola in Dairy Cattle Diets: Year 3

      Randall, Kirsten; Dofing, Stephen M.; Brainard, Donald J. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1996-02)
      This report presents results from the third and final trial of a three-year study by the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) investigating the use of Alaska-grown whole-seed canola in dairy cattle diets.
    • Metam Sodium and Dasomet as Herbicides for Use Vegetable Growers

      Carlin, D.E.; Walworth, J.L.; Conn, J.S. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1995-07)
      This study was designed to determine: 1) the effectiveness of surface application followed by “watering in” as a method of applying these two chemicals, 2) the depths to which each chemical is carried into the soil profile by one inch of irrigation water, 3) optimal rates of metam sodium and dasomet required with this method of application to eliminate weed seeds from the plow layer, and 4) phytotoxic effects of metam sodium and dasomet on potatoes and vegetables.
    • Alternative Grain and Oilseed Crops for Interior Alaska

      Knight, C.W. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1994-02)
      Barley is the principal grain crop in Interior Alaska. Oats are second in importance but are often harvested for hay rather than grain. Due to the short growing season (83–100 frost-free days), options for alternative crops are limited and producers have little opportunity to rotate crops for weed and disease control or to switch crops as prices fluctuate. Wheat, triticale, buckwheat, canola, flax, sunflowers, meadowfoam, faba beans, and field peas have all been grown on a small scale in Alaska. However, little information is available on the climatic, nutrient, or cultural requirements, the probability of a successful harvest, the quality of the harvested product, or the potential markets for these crops. This study was initiated in 1993 to evaluate several niche crops for Interior Alaska.
    • Wildflower Seed Mixes for Interior Alaska

      Rutledge, Ouina C.; Holloway, Patricia S. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1994-02)
      The objectives of this research were to characterize six native and non-native wildflower seed mixes sold in Alaska in terms of seed germination, flowering dates, winter survival, and public acceptability. In addition, the growth of wildflower seed mixes was evaluated in relation to two management practices: irrigation and seasonal sowing date.
    • Effect of Different Herbicides on Various Legume Crops in Interior Alaska

      Sparrow, Stephen D.; Conn, Jeffrey S. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1992-09)
      One of the major problems in the production of successful forage/green manure legume crops in Alaska is weed control. Many species of legumes are slow to establish from seeds as their seedlings are relatively noncompetitive with weeds such as chickweed, common lambsquarters, and mustards. These weeds, if not controlled, can cause total failure of new legume crop stands. Many of the herbicides that are very effective in controlling the common Alaskan weeds in barley cannot be used in legume crops since they will also kill or severely damage legumes. Only a few herbicides are available for controlling broadleaf weeds in legumes. Of these, several are labeled for “established” plants only. Very little work has been done in Alaska on the effect of herbicides on legumes. The spectrum of weeds to be controlled is different from those in most temperate agricultural areas where these herbicides were developed and tested. Also, root systems of established plants in cold subarctic soils are closer to the surface than is normally true in temperate regions, thus they may be more susceptible to herbicide injury. Therefore, we decided to do a preliminary study to determine the effects of several different herbicides on selected legumes, some non-legume crops, and weeds at two sites in interior Alaska.
    • MALTING BARLEY QUALITY IN ALASKA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

      Dofing, S.M.; Gavlak, R.G.; Knight, C.W. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1991-08)
      Barley is the cereal crop best adapted to Alaska’s cool, short-season environment. Not surprisingly, barley is the most important agronomic feed crop in many north-latitude regions which experience similar growing season limitations. Results from longterm yield trials have demonstrated the consistently high yield potential of barley in Alaska. However, the lack of available markets and other economic considerations have limited the extent of its cultivation. An alternative use for barley in Alaska would help provide additional in-state markets. One such use is the production of Alaskagrown barley for use in locally brewed beers. No research trials which investigate the malting quality of Alaska-grown barley are available. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the quality of malt barley produced in Alaska.
    • IRT-76® POLYETHYLENE MULCH FILM AND GROWTH OF SWEET CORN IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

      Matheke, Grant E.M.; Holloway, Patricia S.; Wagner, Patricia J. (Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1991-04)
      Cold soils during the short growing season in interior Alaska often limit growth and prevent the maturing of many field-grown warm season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins and sweet corn. Clear polyethylene mulch has been recommended for many years as a method of warming soil to promote crop maturity and improve marketable yields (Dinkel, 1966). One significant problem with the use of clear polyethylene mulch is enhanced weed growth beneath the mulch. Weeds compete with the crop for nutrients and water in addition to reducing the soil-warming effects of the mulch. Consequently, herbicides must be used in conjunction with the clear mulch to obtain optimum plant growth. An alternative to clear polyethylene is black polyethylene mulch which suppresses weed growth but does not have the soil-warming and yield-improvement capabilities of clear polyethylene (Matheke et al., l989).
    • Canola Quality in Alaska, 2004 and 2005 Harvests

      Geier, Hans (School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2006-12)
      About one acre of Polish canola (Brassica rapa) was planted on the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) Delta Junction research site in 2004 and 2005. Reward, a Polish canola variety, was planted. The Reward seeds were from a local grower who bought it in Alberta. Approximately four 100-pound bags of canola were harvested in 2004, totaling a yield of 400 pounds per acre. The 2005 canola crop on the AFES farm yielded about 850 pounds per acre. Oil press equipment was set up at the AFES farm in University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in June 2005, and seeds from the 2004 crop were pressed for oil. In previous years, the oil yield was about 25-30% of the seed weight. Shortly after harvest, two samples of oil (2004) and three samples of canola seeds (two from 2004, one from 2005) were sent to SunWest Food Laboratory in Saskatoon (Saskatchewan, Canada) for analysis. This report contains data on seed quality and oil test results from canola harvested in 2004 from AFES and from one cooperating grower in Delta. The 2005 canola was not pressed, but a seed sample from the UAF farm was sent to the SunWest Lab for analysis.
    • Effect of Reed Canarygrass and Red Clover Mixtures on Forage Yield and Mineral Content in Southcentral Alaska

      Gavlak, Raymond G.; Hall, Beth A. (School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2002-06)
      Early perennial forage performance research was done in Alaska at a number of locations near the turn of the twentieth century, including Copper Center, Kenai, Sitka, and Rampart (Georgeson, 1899; Georgeson, 1901-1904). Resulting yields for native and introduced cool season perennial grasses were fairly positive, however, all sites were rain fed and some seedings were unsuccessful due to dry conditions. Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and orchard grass (Dactyls glomerata L.) dominated the early test plantings.
    • INFLUENCE OF STRAIN OR SOURCE AND GENERATION NUMBER ON PERFORMANCE OF THE POTATO VARIETY RUSSET NORKOTAH 1999

      Carling, Donald E. (School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2000-02)
      Strains are spontaneously occurring variants within a potato variety that may possess qualitative or quantitative characteristics that are superior to the parent variety. Strain selection is a practice that has been in use with potatoes for many years and examples of successful strain selections include Russet Burbank from Burbank, Dark Red Norland from Norland and Norgold Russet “M” from Norgold Russet. Some strains are discovered based on chance observations of desirable characteristics while others are the products of systematic searches for superior performance. Strain can influence the quality and quantity of tubers produced by a given variety of potato.
    • INFLUENCE OF STRAIN AND GENERATION NUMBER ON PERFORMANCE OF THE POTATO VARIETY RUSSET NORKOTAH

      Carling, Donald E. (School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1999-02)
      It is well known that strain and generation number can influence the quality and quantity of tubers produced by varieties of potatoes. However, the effect of strain and generation number on yield may be quite different from one variety to another. Strains are spontaneously occurring variants within a variety that may possess qualitative or quantitative characteristics that are superior to the parent variety. Strain selection is a practice that has been in use with potatoes for many years and examples of successful strain selections include Russet Burbank from Burbank, Dark Red Norland from Norland and Norgold Russet M from Norgold Russet. Some strains are discovered based on chance observations of desirable characteristics while others are the products of systematic searches for superior performance.