University of Maryland Extension

Alternative Crops

Base Name: 
alternative-crops

Industrial Hemp

2020 Trial Results: Result Report . In 2020, University of Maryland participated in a national dual-purpose hemp variety trial coordinated by University of Kentucky. Universities across the country grew the same varieties to evaluate their performance in different regions. This summary details the...

Industrial Hemp

The University of Maryland is no longer accepting industrial hemp partnership applications at this time. We have selected our partnering growers for 2019 and have actively begun plans for growing industrial hemp. The focus of our research is to determine the impact of fertilization on yield and...

Hops

University of Maryland has begun studying hops in several of its research and education centers. At Wye Research and Education Center, a model hops yard was erected in June of 2016. Since then, two varieties have been selected for testing at WyeREC, Chinook and Cascade. Both seem to be resistant to...

Goldenberry Trials

There are no peer-review published nutrient recommendations for goldenberries, however recommendations by Montes Hernández and Aguirre Rivera (1994) for a similar plant, the tomatillo, suggests a range of 107 to 214 lb N/acre. This should be performed in 3 or 4 split applications between planting...

Pests and Diseases

No diseases were noted in any plants. Two-month seedlings, were predated upon by Three-lined lema beetle ( Lema trilineata) (Figure 1). This was a major pest throughout the summer. In 2016, hornworm became a major problem by mid-August, through the fall was so in 2017 (Figure 2). The Lema beetle...

Cultural Management

Cultural Management and Harvests Soil preparation should include a soil test with all nutrients brought to optimal levels. Organic matter should be above 3.0% if possible. An initial nitrogen addition of 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre is recommended pre-planting. For high tunnel production, plants...

Southern Variety Blueberries

Three southern varieties of blueberries are being trialed at WyeREC. Southern varieties including hybrids of Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush tend to need less irrigation, tolerate warmer temperatures and may be an ideal crop when considering weather related changes with hotter, drier summers...

Haskap

Also known as honey-berry (Lonicera caerulea), this interesting fruit from a bush in the honeysuckle family. Not much cultural information about haskap is available. It is being grown in the Midwest and Northwest U.S. and midwest provinces of Canada. Haskap has high antioxidant content and might be...

Goldenberry

Goldenberries, ground cherries or husk cherries are fruit in in the tomato family (genus Physalis). The fruit are orange berries enveloped in an easily removable husk. There is a market in local grocery stores and farm markets for this high value specialty fruit and popularity has been increasing...

Aronia

A new alternative crop is being studied by University of Maryland Extension for organic fruit production. The Black Chokeberry or Aronia, of which it is commonly referred, is an eastern U.S native with a long history of fruit production in Eastern Europe. Plant breeders in Eastern Europe recognized...

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