Fruit and Vegetable Growers Invited to Annual Educational Field Day

Jun 21, 2024

By Ashvini Malshe

Fruit and vegetable growers are invited to Purdue Extension’s Fruit and Vegetable Field Day. The annual event includes a day of educational sessions and networking and will take place at Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center’s Meigs Horticulture Research Farm on July 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ET.

“We are looking forward to showcasing new fruit and vegetable research, an exciting lineup of demonstrations, and updating attendees about ongoing work at Purdue,” said Petrus Langenhoven, Purdue clinical assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture and vegetable crop specialist. “Take a little time off from farming and attend this fantastic learning event.”

Session topics will cover:

Trap crop systems for multigenerational control of flea beetles in high tunnel brassica crops
Pollinators in high tunnels vs. open-field production
Impacts of insect-derived soil amendments on crop production
Impacts of soil fertility amendments and cover cropping on soil health and pepper production
Comparisons of silage tarping and herbicides for weed control in potatoes
Use of lasers as a bird control strategy in the vineyard
Use of herbicide-impregnated fertilizer for improved crop tolerance in pumpkin
Modern apple orchard systems for commercial and backyard growers

Meigs Horticulture Research Farm is located at 9101 S. 100 E., Lafayette. Registration for the event is $25 and includes a boxed lunch. Purdue students can register for free. Sign up online by July 11 to attend.

Source : purdue.edu

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.