2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Asian vegetables have a great potential to help Texas growers meet the demand of increasing Asian populations, reduce reliance on imports, and provide season-long fresh high-quality produce. A multi-location study was conducted in fall of 2018 to evaluate 9 Asian vegetable crops to determine their suitability and yield potential. Results of trials in south Texas (Weslaco, TX) and northeast Texas (Overton, TX) are presented only. In Weslaco, a field trial was initiated on Oct. 5, 2018 and harvested 44 days after seeding (DAS) on Dec. 19. Plots were 10 ft long with 2 lines for a total of 40 plants per plot. Plants were fertilized as needed. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected including yield, SPAD, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, and leaf area. In Overton, a field trial was planted on Oct. 5 and harvest on Nov. 16 (60 DAS). A second field trial was planted on Nov. 6 and harvested on Feb. 8, 2019 (138 DAS). A third trial was conducted in a high tunnel and was planted on Nov. 3 and harvested on Dec. 14 (62 DAS). Plot lengths varied among the 3 Overton trials and consisted of 28, 24, and 16 plants/plot, respectively. Yields in Weslaco ranged from a high of 100 Mt/ha for ‘White Stem Pak Choi #56’ to a low of 22 Mt/ha for ‘Baby Leaf Mustard #445’, while in Overton, the same crops yielded 15.6 and 6.4 Mt/ha, respectively. The only variety that performed better in the late fall planting than the high tunnel was ‘Specialty Pak Choi #535’ with yields of 1.97 and 1.3 Mt/ha, respectively. Generally, yield in Weslaco far exceeded that of Overton but relative production of the 9 cultivars followed a similar trend between the 2 locations. Late fall planting in Overton is not recommended since yields were very low and it took another 78 days for the crop to mature for harvest. High tunnel production is a suitable alternative for late fall planting in Overton with similar harvest timing as the early fall planting of 60 DAS.