ASHS 2025 Conference

Previous research demonstrated that tissue culture (TC) ginger grown in a high tunnel (HT) produced a higher yield than traditionally seed-sprouted ginger. This study further investigated any significant changes between generations of TC ginger in a HT. We studied 6 cultivars (BB, BG, BK, HY, KM, and MD) from two TC generations (TCF1 and TCF2). TCF1 seedlings were initially acclimated in a greenhouse and then transplanted into HT with TCF2 seed in June 2024. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with 3 replications (blocks) per TC generation, 12 plots per block, 8 plants per plot (5 plants for HY) for a total number of 576 plants. Data collected: stem number

Water scarcity is one of the largest challenges to agricultural resilience in the increasingly arid Southwest. An important question is if expanding organic systems can support small farms to achieve the water demand reductions needed to preserve cultivation across agricultural valleys while also achieving overall agricultural resilience. Evaluating and selecting high value crops like medicinal plants for drought and heat tolerance might also lead to alternative crops that are suited for this environment. Organic systems and alternative crops could be critical for resilience, and our project’s goal was to identify crops and practices that are culturally relevant to small farmers in the southwest. High value crops with medicinal properties were cultivated using organic farming practices. A replicated split-field design trial of nine plant species including transplanted and seeded were grown for one season and were monitored for establishment, yield, and growth traits. First year data indicates that out of the nine species, only primrose (Oenethera biennis), tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius), spilanthes (Acmella oleracea), calendula (Calendula officinalis) and marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) were successfully established after transplanting seedlings in May 2024, however none of the direct seeded plants germinated. Spilanthes medicinal flowers were harvested from August till October, and calendula flowers were harvested from August till December. The perennials that over wintered successfully are producing new growth for a second season are calendula, and marshmallow. Our conclusions after the first year of establishment are that transplanting these high value crops is a better option than direct seeding. In addition, overwintering of perennial plants that have established are a viable option for farmers. For future work, amount of water needed for growth and quality of each species will be measured.

Ginger requires proper shading for optimum growth and rhizome yield. However, literature on individual color shading’s effects was limited. Under light stress, morphological and physiological traits change. Since 2023, we have studied how different color shading impacts growth, rhizome yield, and phytochemical composition of micropropagated ginger. Tissue culture ginger seedlings (cultivar Madonna) were transplanted in March in a greenhouse, then in June into 50-gallon grow containers, 12 plants per container in a 2:1 metro mix:compost substrate. A completely randomized design was used, with 12 color shade treatments and 12 replications per treatment at NCA

Vanilla planifolia, is a species of vanilla orchid native to Mexico. It is known specifically for its extract known as vanillin, which is used as a flavorful ingredient in food, beverages, cosmetics and perfumes. Vanilla plants, brought in from tissue culture, were planted in 10 or 15-gallon pots in media containing tree bark vermiculite and peat moss (1:1:1). Support for aerial roots involved rolling wired fencing and burlap together and placing eight-inch square mason blocks in each pot. The orchids were measured monthly for length and number of leaves. Results indicate that pot size had a slight influence on the plant growth of the vanilla plants. In the 10-gallon pots, the orchids grew to an average length of 126.5 cm, while the 15-gallon pots grew to an average length of 169.9 cm. The burlap also provided adequate space for the aerial roots to grow into over time. A 15-gallon pot, containing tree bark vermiculite and peat moss (1:1:1) was the most effective pot size to use for establishing vanilla plants. Vanilla p. can be established well in the subtropical climate of the USVI.

Consumers increasingly demand locally sourced agricultural products and are willing to pay premium prices for novel and unique offerings. Maple syrup is a significant agricultural commodity in the United States, with a total market value of $158.67 million in 2023 and 5.86 million gallons produced in 2024 (USDA NASS, 2024). However, annual maple syrup production timing and yields vary widely by year and region, largely depending on climatic conditions. Expanding maple syrup production to western states could help meet the growing demand while providing additional income for landowners in areas where maple resources have not traditionally been utilized. Boxelder (Acer negundo) is native to the Intermountain West, while Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and other non-native maple species are common in urban and suburban areas of the region. Despite this, limited research has assessed the potential of these species for syrup production, highlighting the need for further study to support this emerging industry. On 10 Feb 2022, 11 Mar 2023, 4 Feb 2024, sap collection bags (18.93 L) were installed for tapping 20 boxelder (diameter at breast height (DBH) = 26.2 ± 3.7 cm) and 20 Norway maple (DBH = 29.5 ± 5.8 cm) trees in Missoula, MT. Sap was collected regularly to determine the yield for each tree from 11 Feb to 24 Mar 2022; 12 Mar to 9 Apr 2023; 5 Feb to 17 Mar 2024. Linear regressions were used to analyze cumulative sap yield over time, comparing data from the two maple species across three years. Maple trees exhibited varying sap yields across different years. In Missoula, MT, boxelder trees had seasonal sap yields of 9.21, 18.86, and 16.81 L during the 42-, 29-, and 42-day tapping periods, respectively. Norway maple trees produced seasonal sap yields of 28.38, 15.45, and 30.15 L during the 42-, 29-, and 42-day tapping periods, respectively. Boxelder trees yielded significantly more sap per day in 2023 compared with 2022, whereas Norway maple trees maintained relatively consistent daily sap yields across three years. Montana Mapleworks, the only commercially licensed maple syrup producer in the Intermountain West, produced 30, 20, 55, and 55 gallons of maple syrup in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

The value of maple syrup production in the United States was $159 million in 2024, a 17% increase from the previous year. The timing and yield of maple syrup production vary widely between years and regions, depending heavily on climatic conditions. Expanding maple syrup production to western states could help meet the ever-increasing demand for syrup and provide additional income for landowners in areas where maple resources have not traditionally been utilized. Boxelder (Acer negundo), native to the Intermountain West, and other non-native maple species are common in urban and suburban areas of the region. However, limited research has assessed the potential of these species for syrup production in the Intermountain West. On 11 Mar 2023, sap collection bags (18.9 L) were installed to tap 20 boxelder trees (diameter at breast height (DBH) = 26.2 ± 3.7 cm, mean ± SD) in Missoula, MT. On 1 Mar. 2023, buckets (11.4 L) were installed to tap 30 boxelder trees (DBH = 42.6 ± 13.3 cm) in Logan, Providence, and Smithfield, UT. On 27 Feb 2023, buckets (11.4 L) were installed to tap 30 boxelder trees (DBH = 28.4 ± 8.8 cm) at the Sybille Research Site, Wheatland, WY. Sap was collected regularly to determine yield per tree from 12 Mar to 9 Apr 2023, in Montana; 2 Mar to 10 Apr 2023, in Utah; and 2 Mar to 1 May 2023, in Wyoming. Temperature data were obtained from the National Weather Service. A logistic model was used to fit the cumulative sap yield over time, comparing data from the three states. The location of boxelder trees significantly impacted sap yield. Seasonal sap yields were 18.9, 34.4, and 41.1 L per tree in Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, respectively, during the 29-, 41-, and 63-day tapping periods. Boxelder trees in Montana produced significantly higher daily sap yields than those in Utah and Wyoming, likely due to the shorter tapping season. With a similar tapping start date in Utah and Wyoming, boxelder trees in Utah began producing sap earlier than those in Wyoming, which may be related to temperature differences. However, boxelder trees in Wyoming yielded a greater total sap volume than those in Utah and Montana.