Publications

Authors: Kurt Vollmer - Dwayne Joseph - Alan Leslie - Cerruti RR Hooks - Thierry Besançon

This publication will help growers understand the benefits of incorporating spring-seeded cereal cover crops into plasticulture cucurbit production systems. It provides information from two years of university research trials evaluating spring-seeded cereal cover cropping systems along with post-plant control tactics for integrated weed management in cucumber and watermelon. Throughout a growing season, between row (inter-row) cereal cover crop treatments reduced weed density and provided better weed control compared to plots without cover crops. Post-plant applications of paraquat or including a residual herbicide often provided better weed control when used alongside a cover crop. Crop yields also were higher when a cover crop was planted between cucurbit rows versus no cover crop. Authors: Kurt Vollmer, Dwayne Joseph, Alan Leslie, Cerruti Hooks, and Thierry Besançon; Title: Spring-Seeded Cereal Cover Crops for Weed Management in Plasticulture Cucurbit Production (FS-2024-0736).

Authors: Qianwen Lu - Neith Little

Heat stress is a common summer problem for crop production and is worsened by rising temperatures and urban heat island effects. This extension brief introduces symptoms of crops impacted by heat stress and tips to mitigate crop heat stress. Authors: Qianwen Lu and Neith Little; Title: Reducing Crop Heat Stress in Urban Farms (EBR-2024-0720).

Authors: Matthew Trause - James Schupp - Macarena Farcuh

Red skin coloration is highly associated with apple fruit marketability and profitability. It is determined by the content and composition of anthocyanins. A multifaceted approach—considering environmental factors, site of establishment, cultivars, rootstocks, mineral nutrition, crop load, and fruit maturity —are key to meeting the required apple red skin coloration standards. Authors: Matthew Trause, James Schupp, Ph.D., and Macarena Farcuh, Ph. D.; Title: Apple Red Skin Coloration: A Grower's Checklist (FS-2025-0753).

Authors: Lillian Masson - Elizabeth Thilmany - Stephanie Lansing - Derek Wietelman

A culmination of recent research on Maryland’s livestock sector assesses nutrient production, management practices, and treatment technologies, highlighting areas where nutrient outputs exceed processing capacity to support informed policymaking, strategic investments, and public awareness. Authors: Lillian Masson, Elizabeth Thilmany, Stephanie Landsing, and Derek Wietelman; Title: Maryland’s Nutrient, Animal Waste, and Technology Landscape (FS-2024-0737).

Authors: Sarah Hirsh - Haley Sater - Jonathan Moyle

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) is a promising perennial biomass crop that offers a sustainable solution for marginal lands affected by saltwater intrusion, intermittent flooding, and deer damage. Our research, conducted over two harvest seasons, evaluated the performance of giant miscanthus in a 10-acre commercial field exposed to these challenges. Despite the harsh conditions, the crop established well, with only a small yield penalty compared to miscanthus grown on prime land, demonstrating its resilience where traditional crops like corn and soybeans struggle. One of the most notable findings was giant miscanthus’s ability to tolerate high salinity, an increasing concern for farmland impacted by rising sea levels on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The crop survived even in areas submerged for over a month, with total loss occurring only in sections that remained flooded year-round. Additionally, our research confirmed its strong resistance to deer browsing, as deer largely avoided the tough, fibrous stems and leaves. With minimal inputs after establishment and an annual harvest, giant miscanthus is a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative for biomass production. Its adaptability to marginal land makes it a viable economic and environmental solution for farmers facing challenging growing conditions. Authors: Sarah Hirsh, Haley Sater and Jonathan Moyle; Title: Growing Giant Miscanthus on Marginal Land: A Sustainable Solution for Challenging Conditions (FS-2024-0735).

Authors: Haley Sater - Sarah Hirsh - Jonathan Moyle

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) is a perennial, warm-season biomass crop that can thrive on both prime and marginal land. It grows up to 12 feet tall, develops deep roots, and has a lifespan of 15–30 years. Once established, it requires minimal inputs and reaches peak biomass production in its third year, yielding 10–15 tons per acre. Unlike other Miscanthus species, giant miscanthus is a sterile hybrid, meaning it does not spread by seed, reducing its invasiveness. It expands slowly through rhizomes and generally remains within its planted boundaries unless disturbed by erosion. It is well-adapted to various soil types and can tolerate wet or salty conditions with some yield loss. Rhizomes are typically planted in early spring or fall, depending on the field site and climate. Giant miscanthus requires minimal fertilization and weed control after establishment. It is resistant to deer browsing and has shown little susceptibility to pests and diseases. In Maryland, it is harvested annually from November to March using standard forage equipment. The biomass can be used for bioenergy, animal bedding, and industrial applications, with additional benefits for erosion control and carbon sequestration. Farmers should secure a market before investing in this long-term crop. Authors: Haley Sater, Sarah Hirsh, and Jonathan Moyle; Title: Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus): A Perennial Biomass Crop (FS-2024-0734).

Authors: Shannon Dill - Sarah Hirsh - Serena Taylor Newton - Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D. - Kurt Vollmer - Dr. Nicole Fiorellino - Andrew Kness

This publication highlights the impact of the 2023-2024 UMD Extension (UME) Winter Agriculture Production Meetings, focusing on participant engagement, preferred learning methods, and the adoption of recommended agricultural practices. Survey results demonstrate how these meetings support farmers in improving crop production, pest and nutrient management, weed control, precision agriculture, and on-farm research participation. Authors: Shannon Dill, Sarah Hirsh, Serena Newton, Hemendra Kumar, Kurt Vollmer, Nicole Fiorellino, and Andrew Kness, Title: University of Maryland Extension Winter Meeting Data 2023-2024 (FS-2024-0744).

Authors: Sarah Hirsh - Haley Sater - Dwayne Joseph

Cover crop planning according to cover crop purpose, cover crop window within cash crops, and realistic expectations can greatly increase the benefits that cover crops provide, making the overall farming system more productive, sustainable, and profitable. Author: Sarah Hirsh, Ph.D., Haley Sater, Ph.D, and Dwayne Joseph, Ph.D.; Title: Cover Crop Planning (FS-2024-0743).

Authors: Shannon Dill - Nate Bruce

This publication focuses on the financial and economic factors that lead farmers to hire custom services for field operations, such as limited capital and insufficient labor. It explains that custom work charges are determined by the interplay of demand and supply, typically negotiated between farmers and custom operators. The main goal is to provide information on custom work charges in Maryland and offer data to aid farmers in making informed decisions about purchasing equipment. Authors: Shannon Dill and Nate Bruce; Title: Custom Work Charges in Maryland and Delaware (FS-683)

Authors: Shannon Dill - Serena Taylor Newton - Andrew Kness - Erika Crowl - Sarah Hirsh - Jennifer Rhodes

This publication highlights the impact and effectiveness of the UMD Extension (UME) winter meetings held during 2022-2023. It provides insights into participant engagement, preferred learning methods, and the adoption of recommended agricultural practices. The survey results included in the publication demonstrate how these meetings support farmers in implementing improved crop production, pest management, and nutrient management strategies. It outlines key priorities for Extension programming and reports satisfaction with the UME Nutrient Management program. Authors: Shannon Dill, Serena Taylor Newton, Andrew Kness, Erika Crowl, Sarah Hirsh, and Jennifer Rhodes; Title: University of Maryland Extension Winter Meeting Data 2023" (FS-2024-0731).