Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia
George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturist-Vegetables
East Georgia Extension Center
Rosenwald Building, Third Floor
PO Box 8112
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-681-5639 | 912-681-0376, Fax | 912-682-3481, mobile
The Georgia Department of Agriculture held a hearing May 4, 2001, to determine if rules should be adopted that would allow the department to make recommendations concerning Vidalia varieties. These rules would spell out which varieties can be planted as Vidalia onions and under what conditions new varieties can be added to the list. The new rules are available on the internet at --
http:/www.agr.state.ga.us/public_legal_notices/html/notice_of_intent_04_03_01.html
The hearing had 26 people in attendance with a strong representation from the seed companies that represent the industry. Earl Harris with the Department of Agriculture presided over the meeting. Surprisingly, all of the seed companies that testified supported variety testing. One important caveat from most of the seed companies was that if a variety is decertified, they have three years to sell off their existing stocks.
There was some discussion after the hearing to set up a meeting between seed company representatives and the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In addition, there was some discussion of having seed company and grower representation on the University committee that will be charged with making a decision on new varieties.
Direct seeded onions can offer a less expensive alternative to transplanting. There are several technical and environmental issues that have to be overcome, however. One such issue that will have to be addressed is singulation of seed. Modern vacuum planters have gone a long way in solving this problem.
Picking up more than one seed at a vacuum hole is still a problem. Several seed companies offer different seed coatings. The full clay pellet that has been around for a long time works well, but the coating can flake off with handling. With a vacuum planter, these clay particles are often picked up and planted as seed. A newer resin coating results in a smaller pellet, which resists flaking while still offering improved singulation.
This coating technology is available from several seed companies including Harris Moran & Seminis. Modern vacuum planters and seed coating technologies will help bring direct seeding to growers.
Seed treatment with fungicides such as Thiram is quite common and helps reduce seedling diseases. Recent work at Cornell University has been with an insect growth regulator that can be applied to onion seed in the seed coating to control onion maggots. This would be particularly useful with direct seeded onions and preclude the need to apply Lorsban (chlorpyrifos).
This field day will highlight all work currently underway at the farm. This will be an everything-but-onions field day (We had an onion field day earlier in the year.). The field day will be on June 14, 2001, from 6-8 p.m. We will have supper beginning at 6 p.m. and visits to the field plots after. Currently, we have work underway with cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, sweet corn and blackberries to name a few.
Below is the agenda for this field day. It included directions to the farm and what will be covered. If you have questions, please contact Randy Hill or me.
Everything But Onions Field Day
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| Location: | Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 8163 Highway 178 Lyons, Georgia 30436 |
| Date: | June 14, 2001 |
| Time: | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. |
| Contacts: | George Boyhan (912-681-5639; mobile, 912-682-3481) Randy Hill (912-565-7822; mobile, 912-282-4453) |
| Agenda | |
| Welcome and Convocation Sponsored Supper Visit Field Plots |
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| Dr. Phil Brannen: | Methyl Bromide Alternatives in Strawberry Production |
| Dr. David Langston: | Cantaloupe Production on Plastic |
| Dr. Terry Kelley: | Carrot Trial Squash Trial |
| Dr. George Boyhan: | Watermelon Trial Cantaloupe Trial Roma Tomato Trial |
| Dr. Gerard Krewer: | Blackberry Trellis Experiment |
| Directions | |
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From Reidsville, Georgia, take Highway 147 south past the Georgia State Prison (on the right) and Rogers State Prison (on the left). Just after you cross the Toombs County line, look for the brown-and-black sign for the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center on the right. Pull into that driveway and through the gate to the office. From Lyons, Georgia, take Highway 178 southeast past Stanleys Store and look for the Vidalia Onion and Research Center sign on your left. If you cross the Tattnall County line, you have gone too far. Pull in that driveway and through the gate to the office. |
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From My Desk
Don't forget about our field day June 14. We want everyone to understand that the Vidalia Farm will be a center for a whole range of vegetable work. We hope to get feedback from those attending the field day for ideas about future work. We are trying to be as responsive as possible to local grower needs.
Seed coat treatments to control onion maggots is from an article that appeared in the April, 2001, issue of HortScience. See you next month.