A number of different chemicals have been evaluated for control of cabbage loopers and other lepidopterous pests of cole crops over the past several years. These materials are usually formulated as dusts or emulsifiable concentrates but some have been prepared as wettable powders or granular formulations. Some are more effective against one species of insect than another. Only a very few of the prospective pesticides passed all the required testing and became available commercially.

Data from four years of irrigation studies with carrots indicate this crop has a rather wide tolerance to varying soil moisture levels as measured by yield and quality of roots. Yields have varied between treatments from 514 to 665 crates per acre. Soil moisture levels ranging from a very wet level (18-20 centibars of tension) to a dry level (75-80 centibars of tension) have shown no significant differences in yield. Only from treatment 5, the very dry schedule, was the yield significantly lower than for all other treatments.

The influences of soil moisture are pronounced in cabbage grown under Arizona's semiarid conditions. An understanding of these effects is a must if the most effective cabbage production is to be achieved. High, constant levels of moisture reduces solidity, increases apparent size, reduces color and general market acceptance. On the other hand, dry soil moisture conditions increases solidity and color and reduces size and generally impairs market quality because of the smallness of size and the tough and woody texture of the cabbage thus produced. Best quality cabbage commensurate with acceptable yields and greatest effectiveness is obtained where moisture is kept at 75-80 centibars of tension.

Onions respond favorably to increasing levels of soil moisture as measured by increase in bulb size and total yields. Maintaining a soil moisture level of 18-20 centibars of tension (nearly field-holding capacity) produces the greatest yields of bulbs. However, dry onions so produced are somewhat softer in texture, tended toward thick -neck growth, matured slower, and are more difficult to cure adequately in the normal length of time. Onions grown on lesser amounts of water tend to have the reverse characteristics. Costs of production are similarly increased under high soil moisture levels because of the need for replacing nitrogen leached out of the root zone. Also, the costs of the water and its application must be increased. Therefore, the economics involved would be a required consideration.

The performances of four curly top resistant tomato varieties were observed in Arizona during the period 1961 to 1964. Owyhee showed resistance but produced small fruits. Breeding line No. 126 and its improved replacement VF 122, had field resistance, but VF 122 did not set fruit as well as other varieties under high temperature conditions. Payette appeared to be the most promising of the varieties tried. It showed better resistance than Owyhee and produced good yields of desirable fruit when staked and trained properly.

No description available.

Results from pepper variety tests across the state indicate that New Mexico 6-4, Rio Grande 21 and Sandia A are desirable varieties to grow in Arizona. Which variety to select will depend on use, location and individual preferences. No variety in the tests was found suitable for growing for paprika.

Eighteen sweet corn hybrids were compared in the Yuma Valley in the spring of 1961. Golden Cross Bantam, especially the 51-T strain, gave the best overall performance.

Several seasons of work indicate that topical application of granular pesticides to the whorl of fall grown sweet corn will effectively control the fall armyworm. First application to be made when the corn is approximately 12 inches high, followed by one or two additional applications at intervals of one week. The following three materials: 5 percent Diazinon granular, 5 percent Zectran granular, and 2 percent Endrin granular are the most promising when applied at 20-30 pounds per acre.

No description available.