Horticulture Program

The Horticulture Evaluation Program was established at the Plant Materials Center in 2012 to develop new techniques for commercial plant production of horticultural crops in Alaska. These techniques for producing fruits, cut flowers, vegetables and ornamental crops will be of value to commercial plant producers and end users in Alaska. The evaluation of pesticides and their use for commercial production is also conducted.

Horticulture Evaluation Program

The PMC Horticulture Program's goal in conducting these Observation Variety Trials is to determine which varieties will perform well under certain locations in Alaska. This information is valuable to public and private growers. The PMC can offer advice on crop selection, plant hardiness, cultivation and harvest techniques for an individual's region.

Help us, help Alaskan agriculture!

The Alaska Plant Materials Center is surveying all Alaskan agricultural producers interested in future On-Farm trials for various crop trialing. We are interested in hearing from small and large producers as well as home gardeners. If you are interested in the opportunity to be part of future trials please take the time to fill out the following survey. We will select future trial sites based on the information provided in this survey which is designed to help us match-up both producer and project needs.


https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NDY9PSQ

For additional information please contact:

Rob Carter
Robert.Carter@alaska.gov
(907) 745-8127

 

Tractor   Field

Current Crop Research

 

  • Caneberries
  • Apple
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower

In 2014 an observation trial of primocane and floricane raspberry and blackberry varieties were planted at the PMC. Every year, these varieties will be observed for winter survivability and production qualities. Varieties are listed below:

Raspberries:

Floricanes
• Boyne
• Cascade Delight
• Latham
• Nova
• SK Red Mammoth

Primocanes
• Autumn Britten
• Heritage
• Joan J
• Polana


Blackberries:

Primocanes
• Prime Ark®
• Prime Jan
• Prime Jim

raspberry   blackberry

The Plant Materials Center dedicated an area in its fields to apple rootstock. It is fence enclosed and contains seedling and clonal rootstocks. Every year staff collects seed locally and obtains rootstocks commercially for observation. The hardiest rootstocks are selected every year to remain in the trial. New rootstocks are planted every year for new selections to be made.

Multiple asparagus variety evaluation trials are being conducted by the PMC.

2013 trial planting: A small plot of asparagus varieties were planted and are being observed each year. Varieties are listed below:

• Guelph Millennium
• Jersey Knight
• Jersey Supreme
• Purple Passion

2014 trial planting: Three plots were established through Specialty Crop Grant funding, one at the PMC, one on the Kenai Peninsula and one in the Interior. Varieties are listed below:

• Guelph Millennium
• Mondeo
• Jersey Knight
• Jersey Supreme
• Jersey Gem
• Jersey Giant
• NJ 1025
• NJ 1113
• NJ 1122
• Del Monte 361
• UC 157
• Purple Passion
• Pacific Purple

In 2014 the PMC conducted a demonstration trial of broccoli varieties. The trials will continue to determine marketable yields from the same varieties. Varieties are listed below:
• Arcadia
• Belstar
• Blue Wind
• Bonanza
• Coronado
• Diplomat
• Green King
• Green Magic
• Packman
• Waltham #29

Broccoli Variety Trial Report, 2014
Broccoli Variety Trial Report, 2015

In 2015 the PMC will conduct a demonstration trial of cauliflower varieties with growers throughout the state. The trial is funded by Specialty Crop Grant funding. Varieties are listed below:
White:
• Amazing
• Attribute
• Baldo
• Bishop
• Bos 92126
• Candid Charm
• Casper
• Celeritas
• Cielo Blanco
• Denali
• Early White
• Freedom
• Giant of Naples
• Giant of Naples Marz
• Minuteman
• Ravella
• Skywalker
• Sno Crown
• Snowball Self Blanching
• SnowBall Y
• Symphony
• Synergy
• Titan
• Venus

Purple:
• Purple of Sicily
• Sicilian Violet
• Violetta Italia
• Graffiti
• Rosalind

Yellow:
• Cheddar
• Precoce Di Jesi
• Sunset
• Orange Burst

Green:
• Vitaverde
• Green Macerata
• Marches Green
• Mount Verde
• Panther

Romanesca:
• Romanesca Natalio
• Veronica
• Celio
• 26-70
• Orbit

 

Additional Reports

Garlic Variety Trial Report, 2015
You may also search our online database for additional publications.

For More Information Contact:

Rusty Foreaker
Agronomist
Horticulture Program
Rusty.Foreaker@alaska.gov
1-907-745-8092

 

 

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