'Roots in Research' Newsletter - Upper Marlboro Facility 2023

CMREC Upper Marlboro Welcomes Nathan Hepp

Nathan Hepp transferred from the Beltsville Research Facility to Upper Marlboro. He performed harvesting, planting, excavating, and equipment maintenance tasks and brings those skills to the duties he performs here. He is eager to learn more about vegetable production and further his mechanical skills. Nathan lives in Calvert County and enjoys spending his free time hunting, working on tractors and trucks, and gardening.

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Upper Marlboro Weather Station

Weather data for Upper Marlboro is displayed on our website from 1956 to current. The information can be displayed by month, or by the year in a printable format. To compare weather data averages by the month or year, check out our website!

If your research requires this data in a different format, please contact Elizabeth McGarry and she will help to get the information you are requesting.

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Crops Twilight Tour & Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

It was another great turnout for our annual Crops Twilight Tour and Ice Cream Social. We enjoyed a catered dinner before the local Ag Agents served up some of their homemade ice cream. We boarded the wagons for the tour at 6 pm and took a drive around the facility with 6 stops and 11 research updates. See below for the list of topics and research covered at this years event. Don't miss next year's event, scheduled for Wednesday, August 7, 2024. You must pre-register through the Anne Arundel County Extension office.

     •   Utilizing Living Mulches in CBD Hemp Production – Dwayne Joseph
     •   Managing Weeds with Leftover Fruit Waste and the Sun – Dwayne Joseph
     •   High and Low Input Pest Management Tactics in Cantaloupe – Leo Kerner
     •   UMD Weed Research Update – Kurt Vollmer
     •   CEW, FAW, and WBC Trap Data – Heather Knauss
     •   AAUFRC Urban Farming – Dave Myers and Brian Hufker
     •   Terp Farm Collaborative – Guy Kilpatric
     •   Weird Happenings in Vegetables and Fruit – Jerry Brust
     •   Grafted Watermelon and the Tomato Cultivars – Ben Beale
     •   Using Apple Pumace as an Organic Amendment for Biosolarization in Tomatoes – Leo Kerner
     •   Exploring Perennial Clovers for their Adaptability to Vegetable Systems – Alan Leslie

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Red Clover Living Mulch - A Look into Reduced Tillage Strategies for Insect Pest and Weed Management

Leo M Kerner, Graduate Student, Dept. of Entomology
Cerruti Hooks - Professor Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

Modern agricultural systems typically consist of monoculture plantings that rely heavily upon chemical and mechanical inputs. These conditions create farming environments that are costlier, susceptible to pest outbreaks, and less hospitable to beneficial organisms above and below the soil. Interplanting a living mulch into a cropping system is a tactic that can be used to increase vegetation diversity within crop fields and subsequently reduce pest abundance. A living mulch is a cover crop interplanted with a cash crop that lives the entire duration of the cash crop cycle. Research has shown that living mulches can enhance arthropod predators and parasitoids and effectively suppress weeds. However, the impact of living mulches on insects and weeds are often investigated separately, and not evaluated in combination with chemical inputs.

This project compares the efficacy of using red clover (Trifolium pratense) as a living mulch in combination with standard and reduced chemical inputs with a traditional practice of using polyethylene mulch with standard and reduced chemical input to control insect and weed pests. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
is used as the test crop; however, methods being investigated are compatible with additional vegetable crops. Data is collected on the abundance of weeds, arthropod predators and
parasitoids, insect herbivores and pollinators, and detritivores. Natural enemy efficacy in reducing insect pest numbers as well as crop productivity and marketable yield has also been studied and recorded. Knowledge gained from this work has and will  continue to be disseminated to growers, their advisors, and  other stakeholders through multiple outreach venues (e.g., walking tours, presentations at commodity events, newsletters). This study is a part of the Hooks lab applied ecology laboratory and is conducted as a master’s project by student Leo M Kerner.

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Developing and Implementing Insect Pest, Diseases and Weed Monitoring and Managing tactics on Hemp Production in the Delmarva Region

Dwayne Joseph – University of Maryland Extension Educator, Kent County
Simon Zebelo – Professor, Depart. of Natural Sciences, UMES
Kurt Vollmer – University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Weed Management
Alan Leslie – Center Director WMREC, CMREC, LESREC, University of Maryland
Cerruti Hooks – Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is crucial in hemp production due to limited herbicide options, with only one conventional herbicide approved for use in the US. Additionally, research on weed management in hemp is limited following its recent removal from the controlled substance list. Weeds pose a significant challenge to hemp growers, especially in controlling broadleaf varieties. This challenge was evident in a University of Maryland Eastern Shore pilot program where growers struggled with Palmer amaranth and common ragweed. Weeds also negatively impacted profit margins due to the high labor costs associated with hand weeding. Read more>>

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Utilizing Biosolarization, Cover Cropping and Strip Tillage as an Integrated Weed Management Technique in Vegetables

Dwayne Joseph - University of Maryland Extension Educator, Kent County
Alan Leslie – Center Director WMREC, CMREC, LESREC, University of Maryland
Kurt Vollmer - University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Weed Management
Cerruti Hooks - Professor Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

Vegetable farmers face challenges due to the limited availability of herbicides registered for vegetables compared to row crops. Additionally, existing herbicides often fail to provide full-season weed control and may pose risks of crop injury if not applied correctly. Organic farmers, in particular, encounter significant obstacles as they rely heavily on manual and mechanical weed control methods, consuming substantial time and labor resources. To address these challenges, we developed a novel approach that integrates biosolarization, strip tillage, and living mulch systems. Biosolarization is a method similar to solarization but includes the incorporation of organic amendments into the soil before the passive solar heating process. Read more>>

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Precision Agriculture ~ Dr. Hemendra Kumar

Dr. Hemendra Kumar is Precision Agriculture Specialist at the University of Maryland Extension in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of University of Maryland College Park. Hemendra is establishing a Precision Agricultural Lab (PAL) at CMREC-Upper Marlboro Facility of at the University of Maryland. Before joining the University of Maryland, Hemendra was a postdoctoral scholar with The Ohio State University and USDA ARS Application Technology Research Unit (ATRU). Hemendra holds an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering. After undergraduate degree, Hemendra competed his first MS degree in Hydrology from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) focusing water management using data and data-driven statistical approaches. Hemendra worked as a researcher in Germany on various projects and continue working on projects with collaboration. Hemendra holds a PhD majoring in Biosystems Engineering and minoring in Statistics. During his PhD, Hemendra developed advanced irrigation management methods for optimizing irrigation timing and thresholds using the data collected from farmers’ fields and helped them with determining the right time and right rate of irrigation.  Read more>>  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UMD Bee Lab and the New UMD Bee Squad

https://www.umdbeelab.com/ https://umdbeesquad.com/

About The Lab
The Honey Bee Lab at the University of Maryland has diverse personnel with multidisciplinary scientific backgrounds who bring a fresh perspective to solving problems. Research in the laboratory is focused on an epidemiological approach to honey bee health. We are proud to share our research into the major mechanisms that are responsible for recurring high loss levels in honey bee populations, such as pests and pathogens associated with honey bees, loss of natural forage habitat due to large monocultural croplands, and pressure from human induced changes in the environment.

Our team has led and managed the USDA APHIS National Honey Bee Disease Survey since 2009. We are also a major partner and founding member of the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP), who collaborates closely with beekeepers from across the country to study and better understand the loss in honey bee colonies in the United States.

You can find Realtime results about these efforts at our database portals: https://research.beeinformed.org/state_reports/

Click here to purchase UMD Honey __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday Water Webinars 

Drinking Wells, Water Quality and Septic Systems

University of Maryland Extension hosts monthly Wednesday Water Webinars on various water quality related topics. Join Andy as he dives into water topics that affect us all. These webinars take place via Zoom from 12 - 12:40 PM, allowing time for Q & A at the end. Click on a title below to see the recording of that webinar, or check out our website for past recordings and more!

1/18/23 - Smart Use of Deicing Salts - Salt is an effective deicing tool to keep our roads, driveways and sidewalks safer during winter. However, salt is negatively affecting our streams, rivers and groundwater quality. How can homeowners responsibly use salt to deice steps and sidewalks? Several easy stewardship practices will be discussed.
2/15/23 - Upgrading Your Septic System to Best Available Technology - Have an older septic tank, or one that is leaking and needs replacement? Learn more about the Maryland Bay Restoration Fund grant program to help replace septic tanks with advanced treatment units or best available technology (BAT).  Read more>>   _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the Move While Harvesting Butternut Squash at the Upper Marlboro Terp Farm

Lindsay Barranco, Experiential Learning Coordinator, University of Maryland Institute of Applied Agriculture 

On a sunny, beautiful day in late September 2023, students from INAG123 People, Planet & Profit: Digging into Sustainable Agriculture, took a field trip to the Terp Farm and Central Maryland Research and Education Center’s Upper Marlboro Facility. This course is popular with many students from numerous undergraduate programs, but also includes Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) students who are enrolled in the 2-year certificate program in Applied Agriculture. Students began the tour by hearing from facility manager, Donny Murphy, about some of the agricultural implements they use at the Upper Marlboro Facility for cultivating the fields and harvesting crops. Read more>>

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Service Day for Environment, Technology, and Economy (ETE) Program of College Park Scholars

Tim Knight , Director - Environment, Technology, and Economy, College Park Scholars

On August 25, 2023, the students of the Environment, Technology, and Economy (ETE) program of College Park Scholars returned to CMREC as we do each year. Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, ETE teaches incoming students about sustainability and food systems as they transition to the University of Maryland. We believe in the value of bonding in adversity, so our students spend their first full day on campus working together. For some, it is their first exposure to agriculture. Many friendships formed on Service Day last throughout their college careers and beyond.

As usual, ETE students visited two sites, the Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC) in Upper Marlboro, which is the site of the Terp Farm, and Clagett Farm, owned and operated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. At Clagett, we weeded the strawberry fields, allowing Clagett Farm to grow strawberries without herbicides. At CMREC, we cleared out a greenhouse, so it can be used for a new project, refurbished another greenhouse and cleaned up a high tunnel, allowing the Terp Farm to use them to grow more food for Dining Services or to be donated. We harvested lots of winter squash and tomatoes, mostly to be served in dining halls or donations. We also labeled 1008 jars for an educational activity at the Maryland State Fair and washed 300 produce crates for the Terp Farm to use in future harvests. In our colloquium this year, students are also writing a grant proposal to fund the installation of a pollinator garden, in collaboration with the Terp Farm. We hope to have an update for you next year!

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Early Establishment of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Increases Yields in the Mid-Atlantic

Erin Myers, Master’s Student, and Nicole Fiorellino, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park

Introduction Planting dates are well established for crops such as corn and soybean to maximize yield and quality, but production guidance is lacking for industrial fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. With fiber hemp production increasing since the passing of the 2014 and 2018 US Farm Bills, we need to understand how it can fit into current crop rotations, by determining appropriate planting and harvest dates to support yields. We performed the present study to develop production recommendations for hemp produced for fiber in Maryland.

Methods The two-year study was performed at two University of Maryland Research and Education Center, Wye Research and Education Center (WREC) in 2022 and 2023 and at Upper Marlboro (CMREC) in 2023. We utilized a split plot, randomized complete block design with planting date as main plots and either variety or harvest date as split plots (Figure 1).  Read more>>

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Cultivating Sustainability: Terp Farm and the MAES Strategic Vision

Guy Kilpatric, Terp Farm Manager

As the manager of Terp Farm, I've witnessed the powerful alignment between our mission and the vision of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES). At Terp Farm, we're not just growing food; we're also focused on cultivating sustainable communities and ecosystems, in line with MAES's vision of a healthier, more resilient world. Our commitment to growing food locally with sustainable methods directly supports MAES's mission to advance sustainable and profitable agriculture. By meeting a significant portion of campus vegetable needs and donating a portion of our produce to foodinsecure members of our community, we're enhancing food security and promoting sustainable practices both locally and beyond.

At Terp Farm, we're not only growing vegetables; we're also cultivating environmental benefits. By increasing the availability of campus-grown produce in the dining halls, we're reducing our carbon footprint and promoting soil health. The sustainable farming methods we utilize also lead to enhanced species diversity, increased nutrient levels, and reduced erosion rates, contributing to healthier ecosystems in line with MAES's vision.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at Terp Farm is seeing the impact on student experiences. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work on the farm for classes, internships, or independent studies, gaining invaluable learning and work experiences. Additionally, our engagement with students through volunteerism, campus partnerships, and educational initiatives enhances their understanding of our campus food system and environment, empowering them to be agents of change in their communities.

As we reflect on our accomplishments—173,000 pounds of vegetables produced, hundreds of engaged visitors each season, and over 35 student worker alums—we're also looking ahead to the future. We're committed to continuous growth, innovation, and impact. Moving forward, we aim to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and explore new ways to promote sustainability and community resilience. As we continue on this journey toward a more sustainable future, we invite you to join us. Whether you're a student looking for hands-on learning opportunities, a faculty member interested in research collaboration, or a community member passionate about sustainability, there's a place for you here at Terp Farm. Together, we can cultivate change and create a healthier, more resilient world for generations to come.

To reach out - email terpfarm@umd.edu or visit https://dining.umd.edu/terp-farm

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It is the policy of the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, and University of Maryland Extension, that all persons have equal opportunity and access to programs and facilities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.

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