Growing grapes in high tunnels may reduce pests and increase crop yields
By Abbi Ross
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- High tunnels are plastic-covered structures similar to greenhouses
- Potential to reduce pests and improve yields
- Two trials investigated management practices for high tunnels
(307 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — High tunnels may help reduce pests and improve yields for grape growers in Arkansas, said Elena Garcia, horticulture professor and researcher for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“High tunnels are plastic-covered structures, similar to greenhouses, but are passively heated and cooled,” Garcia said. “They provide intermediate environmental protection between greenhouse and field conditions.”
Growing grapes under field conditions in Arkansas can lead to a variety of challenges, Garcia said. Arkansas’ humid climate supports a host of fungal diseases, and insect pests are abundant.
“Growers have a high pesticide input in the field production of table grapes in order to have an economically viable crop,” Garcia said.
Garcia has been researching the use of high tunnels for grape growing since 2014. Her research focuses on their use as an alternative production system to reduce some of those challenges and provide a more sustainable environment for table grape production in Arkansas and the surrounding region, she said.
Garcia set up two trials to test the high tunnels. One was set up on the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville with three cultivars (releases from the UA System Division of Agriculture Fruit Breeding Program) and three training systems under tunnels. Another trial was conducted on Barnhill Orchards, a cooperating farm in Cabot, Arkansas.
“Results indicate that table grapes growing under tunnels have better yield and fruit quality,” Garcia said. “Pest pressures were also greatly decreased.”
The project is multidisciplinary, Garcia said, and includes Division of Agriculture scientists from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, as well as ATTRA, a non-profit organization supporting sustainable agriculture, and the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Fred Miller
U of A Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 575-5647
fmiller@uark.edu
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