Extension publications available for vegetable farmers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Three Purdue Extension publications will help vegetable farmers get the most out of their crops this growing season.  

Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers 2016, Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2015 and a new Extension bulletin, Vegetable Diseases: Tomato Disease Management in Greenhouses, are available through Purdue Extension's The Education Store.

The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers is a collaboration of land-grant universities from seven states, said Dan Egel, clinical engagement associate professor of botany and plant pathology at Purdue University.

"It provides vegetable production information that is valid in the participating states for the current year," he said. "This includes fertility, variety, cultural and pest management."

Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2015 includes variety reports on vegetables and fruits including bok choy, sweet corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, specialty sweet peppers, hot peppers, pumpkins, winter squash, picking cucumbers and saladette tomatoes.

"One of the most useful aspects of the report is its long history," said Liz Maynard, clinical engagement assistant professor of horticulture at Purdue. "Growing conditions differ year to year, so looking at results from several years can help farmers choose the best varieties."

Vegetable Diseases: Tomato Disease Management in Greenhouses examines common tomato diseases found in greenhouse-grown tomatoes and provides management recommendations.

The publications are online at www.edustore.purdue.edu. The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers 2016 is $10 for a print copy or free as a pdf, and can be found by searching for it by its production code, ID-56. Vegetable Diseases: Tomato Disease Management in Greenhouses is free; its production code is BP-197. Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2015 also is free as a pdf or $42 for a print version; its production code is 16-18-15. 

Writer: Megan Tarter, metarter@purdue.edu, 765-496-6734 

Sources: Liz Maynard, emaynard@purdue.edu, 219-548-3674

Dan Egel, egel@purdue.edu, 812-886-0198 

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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