Project Grant 23SCMPTX1018

THERE IS HIGH INTEREST IN HIGH-TUNNEL TOMATO PRODUCTION IN TEXAS, NEVADA, AND FLORIDA WHERE THERE ARE MORE THAN 42,000 SMALL-SCALE FARMS, COMBINED. INCREASING AWARENESS OF HEALTHY EATING AND INTEREST IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF CONSUMING LOCALLY PRODUCED FOODS HAVE INCREASED THE DEMAND FOR LOCAL, FRESH-MARKET TOMATOES. HOWEVER, MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS REDUCE THE POTENTIAL PRODUCTION FOR OPEN FIELD-GROWN TOMATOES, INCLUDING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, DISEASE, LACK OF ADAPTED VARIETIES, AND LIMITING NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FRESH-MARKET TOMATO PRODUCTION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HIGH TUNNEL SYSTEMS IN THESE THREE STATES. THEPROJECT OBJECTIVES ARE CENTERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL GROWING CONDITIONS (GRAFTING, NITROGEN FERTILIZATION, AND SOIL AMENDMENTS) SCREENING AND SELECTING THE BEST TOMATO GENOTYPES AND GRAFTING COMBINATIONS FOR HIGH TUNNELS AND OPEN FIELDS, AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND OUTREACH EDUCATION. THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE COLLABORATION AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE OF A HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEAM INVOLVED IN TOMATO RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS WITH NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ON ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS TO EFFECTIVELY INCREASE YIELD, QUALITY, AND PROFITABILITY UNDER HIGH-TUNNEL SYSTEMS. BY INTEGRATING AND ADOPTING THESE PRACTICES, WE EXPECT TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TOMATO GROWERS AND THE TOMATO INDUSTRY AS IT STRIVES TO MEET THE DEMANDS FOR FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE. OUR PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH GROWERS, INDUSTRY, AND GROWERS ASSOCIATIONS IN THESE STATES WILL CONTRIBUTE TO ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL TOMATOES AND REGIONAL RURAL ECONOMIES.