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Horticulture Research

All Horticulture Research Content

black, clear and white tarps covering the middle and compost mounded around the edges with wooden pallets on top

South Dakota Vegetable Grower Experiences with Soil Tarping and Solarization during the 2024 Field Season

Research report on South Dakota vegetable grower experiences with soil tarping and solarization during the 2024 season

Clover pathways after being mowed with sunsetting in the background.

Broccolini Performance in Three Established Clover Living Mulches in Eastern South Dakota: Year Two Results

Research report determining the impact of three established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and broccolini yield in year two.

Left: Black soil tarp on a research plot. Right: The same research plot uncovered, revealing little-to-no weed pressure.

Early Season Soil Solarization and Occultation Impacts on Weed Pressure and Onion Yield in Eastern South Dakota: Year 2 (2024) Results

Research report on whether soil tarping can reduce weed pressure in onion yields for the second year

hand holding a head of broccoli

Integrating Living Mulch on Vegetable Farms in South Dakota: 2024 Results

Research report determining the impact of two established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and yield of severable brassica species.

field of zinnia flowers

Growth and Quality of Four Zinnia Cultivars Grown in Eastern South Dakota

The purpose of this study was to assess the production and quality of four zinnia cultivars grown in eastern South Dakota to support local specialty cut flower growers in their operations.

Clover pathways after being mowed with sunsetting in the background.

Broccolini Performance in Three Established Clover Living Mulches in Eastern South Dakota

Research report determining the impact of three established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and broccolini yield.

Left: Black soil tarp on a research plot. Right: The same research plot uncovered, revealing little-to-no weed pressure.

Early Season Soil Tarping Impacts on Weed Pressure and Onion Yield

Research report on whether soil tarping can reduce weed pressure in onion yields

Four rows tilled through the three clover treatments

2023 On-Farm Experiences Growing Cucurbits in Newly Established Clover Living Mulch in Eastern South Dakota

Research report determining the impact of two established clover species on weed suppression, crop growth, and yield of squash.

Several, U.S. fancy-grade peppers in a yellow bin.

Did the Deer Persevere? 2023 Evaluation of Clover Cover Crops as a Living Mulch for Pepper Production in Eastern South Dakota

Research report analyzing the relationship between four different clover species and four different soil management practices and their effects on pepper growth and yield as well as weed suppression.

A bird’s-eye view of SDSU's Southeast Farm horticulture research plots.

Trials and Tribulations of Growing Squash and Cabbage in Living Mulch, Reduced Tillage Systems

Research on clover cover crops grown in combination with four tillage and weed suppression methods was conducted on organic transitional land at the SDSU Southeast Farm near Beresford, South Dakota in 2023.