Changes in onion cultural practices have helped New York growers
increase profitability while protecting fragile muck soil.
Several of the Cornell University research studies were funded
by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grants,
according to a news release. In one study, Extension vegetable
specialist Christine Hoepting found that changing plant spacing
to 4 inches reduced yield losses from bacterial rot by 63
percent compared with growers' standard treatment. The practice
could net growers up to $258 per 100-foot bed for fresh-market
onions. One grower who's adopted the plant spacing, Matt
Mortellaro of Elba, N.Y., said it may create smaller bulb sizes
that bring a lower prices. But the increased quality more than
makes up for it. Using alternatives to black plastic mulch—which
absorbs sunlight to heat the soil—also can reduce disease
pressure. Warmer soils provide conditions conducive to bacterial
growth. Using conventional tillage practices in muck soil can
create wind-erosion problems, sin