@inproceedings{fuentes-penailillo_vega_gutter_castro_torres-quezada_carrasco_2024, title={Spatializing Temperature Data for Climate-Resilient Biosystems Engineering through Adiabatic and Topographic Methods}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85213297469&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1109/ICA-ACCA62622.2024.10766812}, booktitle={2024 IEEE International Conference on Automation/26th Congress of the Chilean Association of Automatic Control, ICA-ACCA 2024}, author={Fuentes-Penailillo, F. and Vega, R. and Gutter, K. and Castro, H. and Torres-Quezada, E. and Carrasco, G.}, year={2024} } @article{torres-quezada_gandini-taveras_2023, title={Plant Density Recommendations and Plant Nutrient Status for High Tunnel Tomatoes in Virginia}, volume={9}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85174936822&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3390/horticulturae9101063}, abstractNote={Open-field tomatoes in Virginia are traditionally planted in a single row with 2 ft (0.60 m) of in-row spacing, resulting in a plant density of 4356 plants per acre (10,890 plants/ha). However, there has been increasing interest among small and medium-sized farmers in high tunnel production. In order to be profitable, farmers must maximize their yield per unit area and take advantage of the potential benefits of producing under high tunnels. A common approach under greenhouse conditions is to increase the planting density to enhance yield per area. However, high tunnel farmers often extrapolate open-field practices to their high tunnels as they believe both systems are closer related together than to greenhouse production. In those cases, high tunnel farmers could potentially be neglecting yield increases due to their planting density selection. Additionally, irrigation and fertilization management (fertigation) under high tunnels tend to be more efficient than open-field systems, as the frequency of application is increased with a lower volume per application. A higher efficiency of fertigation could alter plant yield responses, especially under traditional planting-density systems. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of high planting density on high tunnel tomatoes and their nutrient status on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The experiment was established on a completely randomized block design with four replications, with 20 ft (6.09 m) experimental plots. We evaluated the combination of two in-row distances and single and double planting rows, with treatments consisting of 2 ft of in-row distance in a single row (4356 plants/acre—current open-field recommendation), 1.5 ft (0.45 m) of in-row distance in a single row (5808 plants/acre [14,520 plants/ha]), 2 ft of in-row distance in a double row (8712 plants/acre [21,780 plants/ha]), and 1.5 ft of in-row distance in a double row (11,616 plants/acre [29,040 plants/ha]). Summer-grown tomatoes produced on the Eastern Shore of Virginia under high tunnel conditions should be planted with 2 ft of in-row spacing and with a single row of plants per planting bed. Increasing the plant density or modifying the current recommended plant distribution could result in yield losses per plant between 32% and 46% and substantial increases in production costs compared with the traditional planting density. Throughout all treatments, tomato plants did not show deficient nutrient status. We hypothesized that irrigation water and pollination were the limiting factors that promoted a decrease in yield per plant for the high-density treatments.}, number={10}, journal={Horticulturae}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel and Gandini-Taveras, Ricardo José}, year={2023}, month={Sep}, pages={1063} } @article{torres-quezada_zotarelli_treadwell_santos_2021, title={Growth habit and in-row distance for bell pepper under protected culture}, volume={27}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85102918061&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1080/19315260.2021.1888840}, abstractNote={Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production under high tunnels requires appropriate plant density and growth habit to ensure efficient use of space. This study assessed the effects of in-row spacing and bell pepper growth habit on growth and yield under high tunnels. Determinate, cv. Crusader, and indeterminate, cv. Maria, seedlings were transplanted in single rows spaced at 20, 25, and 30 cm between plants (equivalent to 31,245; 24,996; and 20,830 plants∙ha−1, respectively) with growth habit as the main plot and in-row distance as sub-plot. Leaf greenness, plant nutrient status, plant height and marketable fruit weight and number were measured. Yield per plant and per unit area were affected by growth habit and in-row distance. The indeterminate cultivar produced 33% more fruit and 13% more yield per plant than the determinate cultivar, while the determinate cultivar produced 24% heavier fruit than the indeterminate cultivar. In-row distances of 20 and 25 cm resulted in similar fruit number per hectare, while 30 cm plant spacing reduced fruit per hectare by 20%. Overall yield was not affected by in-row distance. An economic analysis is necessary to evaluate the potential profitability of a bell pepper system based on indeterminate cultivars and an in-row distance of 30 cm.}, number={6}, journal={International Journal of Vegetable Science}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel A. and Zotarelli, Lincoln and Treadwell, Danielle D. and Santos, Bielinski M.}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={561–573} } @article{torres-quezada_marmolejos_lara_maurer_gonzález cuesta_medrano carreño_lopez_2021, title={Optimizing Torula Bait for Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) Trapping in the Dominican Republic}, volume={104}, ISSN={0015-4040}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1653/024.104.0104}, DOI={10.1653/024.104.0104}, abstractNote={Torula yeast is the most common bait used by growers and agriculture professionals for trapping of tephritid flies in the Dominican Republic. However, the efficiency of the bait is influenced by weather conditions, aging, and contamination with undesirable microorganisms. Thus, additives such as benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, have been used together with torula yeast as a bait stabilizer. This study evaluated the effect of the addition of benzalkonium chloride to torula yeast bait, and time of renewal in guava orchards for trapping of Caribbean fruit flies (Anastrepha suspensa Loew; Diptera: Tephritidae). A field study was conducted in 2 consecutive 8-wk periods between Oct 2019 and Feb 2020. Six treatments were evaluated based on the type of bait (torula yeast or torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride) and renewal frequency (weekly, biweekly, or without renewal). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Data indicated that torula yeast was attractive to 85.2% and 80.2% more males and females of Caribbean fruit flies compared to torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride, respectively. Similarly, traps without renewal attracted an average of 49.8% more females than traps renewed weekly or biweekly, regardless of the bait type. Analysis of both baits showed a rapid decrease in pH of the torula yeast. The addition of benzalkonium chloride may have affected the microbial activity in the solution, leading to reduced decomposition of torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride and, therefore, reduced captures.}, number={1}, journal={Florida Entomologist}, publisher={Walter de Gruyter GmbH}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel A. and Marmolejos, Jorge Mancebo and Lara, Ambrosio Robles and Maurer, Willy and González Cuesta, José A. and Medrano Carreño, Sarah M. and Lopez, Lorena}, year={2021}, month={May}, pages={18–26} } @article{torres-quezada_zotarelli_whitaker_agehara_2020, title={Methods for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida}, volume={2020}, url={https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1376-2020}, DOI={10.32473/edis-hs1376-2020}, abstractNote={Florida is the second largest strawberry producer in the United States, with an annual farm gate value of about $300 million. Planting occurs from late September through late October, and high air temperatures pose significant challenges for transplant establishment and thus yield and fruit quality. The primary purpose of this new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is to provide research-based recommendations on transplant establishment methods for strawberry growers in Florida. The techniques presented are overhead irrigation application methods and practices, strawberry plugs and bare-root transplants, crop protectants, and reflective mulching. Written by Emmanuel Torres-Quezada, Lincoln Zotarelli, Vance M. Whitaker, and Shinsuke Agehara.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1376}, number={6}, journal={EDIS}, publisher={University of Florida George A Smathers Libraries}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel and Zotarelli, Lincoln and Whitaker, Vance M. and Agehara, Shinsuke}, year={2020}, month={Nov} } @article{torres-quezada_zotarelli_whitaker_agehara_gandini-taveras_2020, title={Métodos para el establecimiento de trasplantes de fresa en Florida}, volume={2020}, url={https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1378-2020}, DOI={10.32473/edis-hs1378-2020}, abstractNote={Florida es el segundo productor de fresa más grade de los Estados Unidos, con un valor estimado de $337 millones y un área plantada de 9,400 acres en 2017. La siembra inicia entre finales de septiembre y mediados de octubre, en momentos donde las altas temperaturas representan un reto significativo para la sobrevivencia de los trasplantes, y por tanto también para el rendimiento y la calidad. Tradicionalmente, un alto volumen de agua es necesario para asegurar el establecimiento apropiado de las plantas de fresa. Sin embargo, la conservación de agua es un objetivo establecido en el estado, dado que el alto consumo de agua ha sido propuesto como la causa de la caída de los acuíferos en Florida, incrementado el número de sumideros y posos secos en el área de Plant City. El propósito principal de esta publicación es proporcionar recomendaciones basadas en resultados de investigación sobre métodos de establecimientos de trasplantes para productores de fresas en la Florida.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1378}, number={6}, journal={EDIS}, publisher={University of Florida George A Smathers Libraries}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel and Zotarelli, Lincoln and Whitaker, Vance M. and Agehara, Shinsuke and Gandini-Taveras, Ricardo}, year={2020}, month={Nov} } @article{torres-quezada_zotarelli_whitaker_darnell_morgan_santos_2020, title={Production Techniques for Strawberry Plugs in West-central Florida}, volume={30}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85083990398&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.21273/horttech04529-19}, abstractNote={Florida-produced strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ) plug transplants (SP) are a potential alternative to bare-root transplants (BR). The adoption of this technology could represent a reduction in water usage for plant establishment and potentially higher early yield, as SP may establish more quickly than BR. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of time in nursery and tray sizes, on early and total strawberry yield for Florida-produced SP for ‘Florida Radiance’, ‘Strawberry Festival’, and Sweet Sensation® ‘Florida127’. Runners from Florida-produced mother plants were collected in mid and late August from 2012 to 2015. SP were grown for either 4 or 6 weeks according to the treatment and established in 30-, 40-, 50-, and 72-cell trays, and compared with BR (control). Additionally, strawberry tips from California were evaluated for SP production. BR consistently had higher early yield than SP, ranging from 36% to 91%, between 2012 and 2016. SP produced the same or higher total yield than BR. Florida-produced SP should be grown for 4 weeks before field transplanting in 50-cell trays based on the results of this study. Furthermore, there was no difference between California and Florida tips for total yield. In all seasons, all SP were established with 20% of the total irrigation water used for the BR. Thus, SP could potentially result in water savings of almost 820,800 gal/acre per season, but the early yield of SP would need to be improved to match BR performance.}, number={2}, journal={HortTechnology}, publisher={American Society for Horticultural Science}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel A. and Zotarelli, Lincoln and Whitaker, Vance M. and Darnell, Rebecca L. and Morgan, Kelly and Santos, Bielinski M.}, year={2020}, month={Apr}, pages={238–247} } @article{agehara_vallad_torres-quezada_2020, title={Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Types of Structures}, volume={2020}, url={https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1224-2020}, DOI={10.32473/edis-hs1224-2020}, abstractNote={A protective structure is defined as any structure designed to modify the environment in which plants are grown. Protective structures, such as greenhouses, screen houses, and tunnels, are known worldwide as production systems for high-quality vegetable and fruit crops. This minor revision by Shinsuke Agehara adds updated information regarding 2015 revisions to the Worker Protection Standards in the last paragraph, and removes one former author no longer affiliated with UF.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1224 Previous version: Santos, Bielinski, Gary Vallad, and Emmanuel Torres-Quezada. 2013. “Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Types of Structures”. EDIS 2013 (7). https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/121080.}, number={5}, journal={EDIS}, publisher={University of Florida George A Smathers Libraries}, author={Agehara, Shinsuke and Vallad, Gary Edward and Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel A.}, year={2020}, month={Sep} } @article{torres-quezada_torres-quezada_santos_2020, title={Water Management Strategies and Cultural Practices for Strawberry Establishment in Florida}, DOI={10.5772/intechopen.92450}, abstractNote={Florida’s strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) production system is mainly dependent on short-day cultivars produced as bare-root (BR) transplants, which are high-yielding and low-cost options for Florida growers. The strawberry industry in Florida is greatly dependent on early yield (mid-November, early December). Therefore, Florida growers must secure rapid establishment of the BR transplants and for that reason, high volumes of irrigation water are applied to reduce air temperature around plant crowns and mitigate desiccation. This practice accounts for nearly 14.7 million m3 of irrigation water between mid-September and early October. Several alternatives are available to growers to reduce irrigation water for establishment. One of those alternatives suggests replacing BR transplants for actively growing strawberry plugs (SPs). However, the higher price of SP transplants seems to be the main limitation for their implementation. Alternately, growers could explore the possibility of introducing intermittent irrigation or low-volume sprinklers into their system to establish BR transplants. An inexpensive option, based on a large body of research, would be the application of crop protectants against excessive sun radiation, which could reduce irrigation water for establishment by up to 30%. Despite the suggested alternatives, there is still a great deal of work needed to increase grower’s confidence in these technologies.}, journal={Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences [Working Title]}, publisher={IntechOpen}, author={Torres-Quezada, Emmanuel and Torres-Quezada, Isabel and Santos, Bielinski Marcelo}, year={2020}, month={May} } @article{santos_torres-quezada, title={Irrigation and fertilization.}, DOI={10.1079/9781780641935.0180}, abstractNote={