2018 ASHS Annual Conference

With the help of USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) small acreage growers in New Mexico (NM) may receive funding for installing and operating high tunnels. In Alcalde, NM, a year-round study was designed to compare fruit yield of two varieties of uncovered blackberry canes to those intercropped in a high tunnel. The long-term goal of the study is to create a year-round model of blackberries intercropped with winter greens in a high tunnel. High tunnels are a temporary structure that are passively solar heated. For the study, ‘Chester’ and ‘Triple Crown’ blackberry varieties are being grown at the NMSU Sustainable Agriculture Science Center in Alcalde. Two rows of blackberry canes were planted in a field and two rows were planted in a high tunnel. Each row consisted of replicated and randomized plantings of both blackberry varieties. In winter, four rows, containing randomized plots of 'Red Russian' kale and 'Bloomsdale' spinach were planted at the base of dormant canes in the high tunnel. Yields of the two blackberry varieties were compared by weight and fruiting date to study how berry yields were affected by the high tunnel winter intercrop. Both varieties of winter greens were harvested, and fresh yield weight were compared to discern fitness as a possible intercrop. Preliminary data indicates that ‘Triple Crown’ canes outperform ‘Chester’ in both high tunnel and field trials. However, a negative impact to high tunnel berry production can be seen in both varieties, possibly due to warmer high tunnel temperatures during the winter. As a winter intercrop, kale appears to be marketable in fewer days and with higher overall yields than spinach. This sustainable agriculture model utilizes intercropping in a high tunnel setting to provide farmers a second crop and year-round utilization of high tunnels. This system diversifies their crops and doubles their land use efficiency and year-round farm income.