2017 ASHS Annual Conference

High tunnels are a production tool offering an intermediate level of environmental control that has been increasingly adopted by U.S. vegetable growers in the last decade. In the southeastern states including FL, high tunnel systems may offer multifaceted benefits for sustainable vegetable production such as protection from extreme weather events, early harvests, extended growing seasons, reduced pest and disease problems, and increased crop yield and/or quality. In a recent assessment of protected culture industry in Florida, high tunnels accounted for the largest component of the various types of protected structures employed by fresh fruit and vegetable producers. A long-term high tunnel vegetable system research project was initiated in Spring 2015 at the University of Florida Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL. Given the sandy soil conditions associated with limited water and nutrient retention capacity, different management practices, such as use of compost, cover crop, crop rotation, cultivar selection, have been applied to explore the integrated approaches to improving soil fertility and quality and crop productivity in high tunnel organic vegetable cropping systems. Studies have been focused on organic tomato and spinach production. Microclimate conditions were monitored and compared between high tunnel and open field systems to further understand the seasonal and environmental factors in relation to nutrient management and crop performance for organic vegetables in high tunnels.