Subsurface drip irrigated broccoli received experimental combinations of N rate (176 and 268 lb N/ac, and fertigation frequency (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) at the Maricopa Agricultural Center during winter 1998-99. Marketable broccoli yields were increased slightly with N applications of 268 lb/acre compared to 176 lb/acre. However, neither marketable yield, head diameter, nor petiole nitrate concentrations were significantly affected by fertigation frequency. Nitrogen fertigation frequency does not seem to be a critical management variable for subsurface drip irrigated broccoli grown on medium-textured soils in Arizona.

A field study was designed to determine the effects of cultivar and planting date on growth and yield of strawberries (Fragaria x annanasa D.) in the low desert. The study was conducted at the University of Arizona, Citrus Agricultural Center near Waddell, AZ. Treatments included two strawberry cultivars 'Camarosa' and 'Chandler' and three planting dates of 29 Aug., 7 Oct. and 24 Oct. 1997. There were no significant differences in fruit weight between cultivars . However, fruit number was significantly greater for 'Chandler' strawberries compared to 'Camarosa' and, therefore, fruit size was significantly smaller for 'Chandler' compared to 'Camarosa' berries. Fruit weight and number were significantly greater for both cultivars planted 29 Aug. with nearly 4 times greater production compared to the 7 Oct. and 24 Oct. plantings. Initial results of this study suggest summer planting (late Aug.) of strawberries in the low desert is necessary to produce economically viable yields.