HORTICULTURE PRODUCE Revised 9/28/2016 PURPOSE To stimulate the study of and interest in the science of growing, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing of fruits, nuts, and vegetables through Agricultural Education curriculum. OBJECTIVES - To develop an understanding of the economic importance of the horticulture industry in the United States. - Help develop an awareness of job opportunities for students who may be interested in careers in Olericuture and Pomology. - - Introduces quality standards and conditions for produce. Develops critical thinking skills and analytical skills through identification and judging quality of fruits and vegetables. - Develop an understanding of cultural growing requirements for individual products and practices. - Develop consumer awareness in purchasing produce. COMMON CORE REFERENCES 7-8th Grade MS-LS2-5. Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.* 9-10th Grade CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9 Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts. 11-12th Grade CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1d Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task. EVENT FORMAT A. Classes There will be six classes of vegetables, fruits and nuts. Each class will have four plates of the vegetable, fruit or nut to be placed on quality and condition. The varieties to be judged will be selected from the identification list. One class will be designated as the oral reasons class by contest officials. Note may not be used during oral reason NOTE: Samples will not be handled or touched. 1 of 12
B. Math Assessment and Solution There will be 15 math assessment and solution questions. Each question will be worth 10 points All About Vegetables West Edition May be purchased at bookstores, a local nursery, or wherever Ortho Products are sold. NMSU Circular # 483 - Growing Grapes in New Mexico NMSU Circular # 461 - Growing Pecans in New Mexico Sunset Western Garden Book, Latest Edition Available at most bookstores. NMSU Circular #457Home Vegetable Gardening in New Mexico http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/cr457/ NCCER Applied Construction Math (A Novel Approach) Garden Math http://gardenmath.blogspot.com/ Garden Math Useful Equivalents http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/equivtab.htm C. Identification The identification test will consist of two sets of 30 specimens from the identification list. Only marketable specimens will be used in the identification test. An identification sheet without variety names will be provided for each contestant. ID answers are to be placed on Form 14. TEAMS Two teams may enter per school. Each team will pay entry fees and all teams and individuals are eligible for awards. TEAM MEMBERS There may be four members to a team with the three highest individual total scores making the total for the team. EVENT SECTIONS AND POINTS POSSIBLE Oral Reasons Math Assessment Identification Judging Total 50 points 150 points 600 points 300 points 1100 points 2 of 12
Horticulture Produce Identification List Vegetables and Herbs Fruits and Nuts 1 Alfalfa Sprouts 63 Parsnip 110 Almond 2 Anise 64 Peas (Green) 111 Apple (Gala) 3 Artichoke (Globe) 65 Pepper (Long Green Chile) 112 Apple (Granny Smith) 4 Asparagus 66 Pepper (Floral Gem) 113 Apple (Golden Delicious) 5 Basil 67 Pepper (Habenero) 114 Apple (Red Delicious) 6 Bay Leaf 68 Pepper (Jalepeno) 115 Apple (Rome) 7 Bean (Black) 69 Pepper (Pimento) 116 Apple (Fuji) 8 Bean Garbanzo 70 Pepper (Serrano) 117 Apricot 9 Bean (Kidney) 71 Pepper (Poblano) 118 Avocado 10 Bean (Lima) 72 Popcorn 119 Banana 11 Bean (Navy) 73 Potato (Red) 120 Plantain 12 Bean (Pinto) 74 Potatoe(Russett 121 Blueberry 13 Bean (Red) 75 Potato (White) 122 Brazil Nut 14 Bean (Snap) 76 Potato (Finger) 123 Cashew 15 Bean Sprouts 77 Potato (Purple) 124 Cherry (Red) 16 Beet 78 Pumpkin 125 Cherry(Rainier) 17 Bell Pepper 79 Radish 126 Chestnut 18 Black-eyed Pea 80 Radicchio 127 Coconut 19 Bok Choy 81 Radish (Daikon) 128 Craisin 20 Broccoli 82 Rosemary 129 Cranberry 21 Broccoli Flower 83 Rhubarb 130 Date 22 Brussell Sprouts 84 Rutabaga 131 Fig 23 Cabbage 85 Sage 132 Filbert 24 Cabbage (Red) 86 Savory 133 Grape(Yellow) 25 Carrot 87 Scallions 134 Grape(Red) 26 Cauliflower 88 Shallots 135 Grapefruit 27 Celery 89 Spinach 136 Kiwi Fruit 28 Celeriac 90 Squash (Scallop) 137 Kumquat 29 Chayote 91 Squash (Zucchini) 138 Lemon 30 Chinese Cabbage 92 Squash (Yellow Crook-neck) 139 Lime 31 Chives 93 Squash (Acorn) 140 Macadamia Nut 32 Cilantro 94 Squash (Butternut) 141 Mango 33 Collards 95 Squash (Spaghetti) 142 Nectarine 34 Cucumber 96 Sugar Cane 143 Olive 35 Dill 97 Sweet Corn(Yellow) 144 Orange(Blood) 36 Eggplant 98 Sweet Corn (White) 145 Orange (Naval) 37 Endive (Regular or French) 99 Sweet Potato 146 Orange (Valencia) 38 Garlic 100 Swiss Chard 147 Papaya 39 Ginger Root 101 Tarragon 148 Peach(Yellow) 40 Ground Cherry (Tomatillo) 102 Thyme 149 Peanut 41 Honeydew Melon 103 Tomato (Cherry) 150 Pear(Asian) 42 Horseradish 104 Tomato (Italian-Roma) 151 Pear (Bartlett) 43 Jicama 105 Tomato (Pear) 152 Pear(Red D'Anjou) 44 Kale 106 Tomato (Yellow) 153 Pecan 45 Kohlrabi 107 Tomato (Salad) 154 Pineapple 46 Leek 108 Turnip 155 Pinon Nut 47 Lettuce (Bibb) 109 Watermelon 156 Pistachio 48 Lettuce (Head) 157 Plum (Red) 49 Lettuce (Leaf) 158 Plum (Black) 50 Lettuce (Romaine) 159 Pluots 51 Mint 160 Pomegranate 52 Mushroom (White) 161 Prune 53 Mushroom (Crimini) 162 Pumpkin Seeds 54 Mushroom (Enkoi) 163 Raisin 55 Mushroom (Portabella) 164 Raspberry 56 Muskmelon (Cantaloupe) 165 Blackberry 57 Okra 166 Sunflower Seed 58 Onion (Red) 167 Star Fruit 59 Onion(White) 168 Strawberry 60 Onion (Yellow) 169 Tangerine 61 Oregano 170 Tangelo 62 Parsley 171 Walnut
Sample Horticulture Produce Math Problems 1. Your anticipated Jalapeno yield is 10 tons per acre. Assuming you will have a 2 % harvest/processing loss how many pounds of jalapenos would be marketed from a 3.5 acre farm? 2. Rhubarb crowns are planted at 2.5 feet intervals. How many crowns would you need for one garden row that is 96 feet long? 3.Beets require.21 inches of water per day. How many inches of water would be needed for the month of July? 4. Joe Greenhand harvested 1200 pounds of watermelons for the farmers market. A watermelon is 92 % water. How many pounds of plant product is Joe actually transporting? 5. If there are 3,000 radish seeds to an ounce. How many seeds would be found in one pound? 6. Crucifer crops require ph above 6.8. You need to raise the ph of your 50 acre field. How many pounds of hydrated lime need to be applied. ( application rate is 1500 lbs. per acre) 7. Commercial peas are grown at a rate of 400,000 plants per acre. How many plants could be grown on 4.25 acres? 8.Your 1 acre tomato patch requires 1.5 lbs. of seed. There are 9,000 seeds to the ounce. Assuming a 90 % germination rate, how many plants can you expect. 9. Baby corn will yield 8,000 unhusked pounds per acre. Ninety percent of the weight is husks, silk etc., that will be removed. How many pounds of husked marketable product remain?
PRODUCE JUDGING STANDARDS Judging is a matter of opinion should be on certain facts and standards. The standards of excellence should be adhered to in judging: it will lower the quality of products at a show or in the market. In judging fruits and vegetables for show, remember three main parts: 1. Uniformity of size 2. Uniformity of shape 3. Uniformity of color Size - Choose exhibits that are all the same size; they should be medium in size and not too Shape - Choose exhibits having the same shape and being typical for the variety. Color: The specimens should have the same color or color markings, i.e., peaches with a The materials to be judged should be: 1. True to type 2. Of good quality 3. In good condition - free of bruises, cuts, discoloration, etc. 4. At proper stage of maturity for eating 5. An example of cultural perfection 6. Free from pest damage 7. Clean Special Points to Consider in Selecting and Judging Vegetables: Beans, green and wax Fresh color Uniform in length coloring and maturity Good shape for variety - generally straight but some varieties curve on Pod brittle, not wilted Fleshy and well filled with pulp from one end to other, but without beans being prominent Beans one-half mature Free from defects Can be shown with or without stems, but should be uniform Leave stems attached to pod Tough Wilted Pale and discolored Evidence of insect and disease Knife marks on the pod
Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Uniform in size, color and shape Size from one and one-half to three and one-half inches in diameter Generally dark red with little russeting on crowns No cracks, new varieties including gold colored beet Cut off tops to approximately one inch Color not within uniform, light streaks visible, damaged, cracked, pithy, wilted, too large and tough for eating Fresh green color Right stage of maturity for eating Flowers tightly budded without yellow showing, crisp Free from worms and aphids Stems should be under six inches long A few lower leaves may be trimmed off leaving no stubs Small, loosely closed sprouts; yellowish color, wilted Heads solid and firm; salad types 5-8 inches in diameter Kraut types -8 inches in diameter Tender, crisp good weight for size Free from insect damage or disease Type is important as varieties differ in shape Shape may include: round, flat, pointed, red and savoy Outer leaves should be removed, leaving only the last few that curl at the tips (wrapper leaves) Cut stem one-fourth inch below lowest leaf Poor color, loosely formed, wilted Disease or insect damage Incorrect size or shape Type very important: Short (3-4"); Half Long (5-7"), and Long (8" and Diameter depending on variety Smooth, straight Pale to deep orange, depending on variety; each carrot same size and Cut tops off at approximately one inch Off-colored, wilted, rough, cracked, insect damage, crooked or branched
Cauliflower Preparation Cucumbers Eggplant Herbs Kohlrabi Solid heads, good white color Smooth fine grained texture Crisp Outer leaves trimmed evenly about one to two inches above center of head. Cut stem one-fourth inch below lowest leaf. Wilted Yellow to brown color Rough, grainy texture (ricey) (Listed under various classifications): Picking - one to three inches long; Slicing - six to eight inches long; and Gherkins (West India) - small pickling cucumbers that have burr-like fruit two to three inches long, one to one and one-half inches thick. Bright green skin with fleshy prickles. Should be even in size, crisp Leave one-fourth to one-half inch of stem attached Light in color Not uniform in color and size Over mature Misshapen fruit Symmetrical and true to type 3-5 inches in diameter Firm, mature and uniform in color Stems trimmed one to one and one-half inches Do not wash, but wipe with a damp cloth Wilted, misshapen Poor color, streaks in color of either green or white bruised spots Fresh, uniform Clean leaves and stems Dirty, diseased, insect damage, discolored, shriveled One and one-half inches to three inches in size; tender; even color Trim leaves to about one inch of vegetable; trim off long roots Oversized, wilted, hard and pithy
Lettuce (Head) Firm, crisp, fresh Head in good condition Leave most of wrapper leaves in tact Best to remove few outer leaves after you get to show, as they protect the head Cut stem or butt with knife leaving one-forth to one-half inch Wilted, dry Shriveled, loose or bolting heads Muskmelons or Cantaloupe Clean, firm Free from soft spots, scratches, decay Netting should be deeply ridged over entire melon Even, good color Determine ripeness by the "full slip" - vine should detach clean at attachment to melon Okra Onion Over or under ripe Coarse netting Poor color, blemishes Too much yellow indicated over ripeness Uniform in size, shape, color and maturity Typical of variety Pods should be harvested when half grown, two to four inches long Trim stems one-half to one inch Pods woody and fibrous Green Onions - one-half to one inch in diameter, showing no bulge Clear white color, dark green tops About six inches long, roots trimmed to one-half inch Dry Onions - Uniform in size, then neck Good color and shape for variety Cut tops leaving one to two inches on bulb; remove rootlets. Outer scale can be carefully removed, but if damage occurs in inner scales, it is scored down heavily. Too many layers of skin removed, thick, soft neck, sunburned. Cracked scales, damaged.
Pepper, Bell Pepper, Chile Potato Uniform, true to variety, firm, heavy, smooth, free from blemishes Stems should be attached; all specimens should have the same number of lobes or sections, varying from one to four, solid green color. Dull, rough texture Off color, sunscald Uniform in size and shape Good color, firm Free from blossom-end rot Straight Stems attached Discoloration Shriveling Immature Skin blemishes Medium size (8 to 10 ounces), 3-6" long for Russet, 2-4" long plump, firm, smooth diameter for Red Immature, blemishes Rough in shape, dirty Select for good uniformity, size and color Free from green color, sprouting and shriveling Pumpkins & Squash Pumpkins and squash are difficult to describe because of the great variations available on the market. The items for judging should be representative of the variety; all should have 1/2 to 3" stems to prevent leaking. Pumpkins Mature, smooth Evenly colored surface (green color indicates immaturity) Fruits may vary from round to oblong Surface is grooved Cut from stalk, leaving two to three inches of stem attached Misshapen, immature fruit
Summer Squash Fruits small and tender enough to mark with fingernail; ideal length is six to eight inches, 1-2" in diameter Scallop Squash Winter Squash Merit: Sweet Corn Tomato Trim stems to one inch by cutting from vine Fruits large and over-mature Fruits small, three to six inches in diameter, with or without stems Uniform color Free from blemishes, insect and disease damage Fruit typical in shape and variety Fruits should be mature and the rind hard, not easily marked with Trim stem to one inch Immature Insect and mechanical damage Uniform in length, size and color according to variety, kernels full grown and in the milk stage Cut stems neatly below the point where the husks are attached If cut high, husks will fall and ruin appearance. Frequently silk is removed to tip of ear by pulling Immature, unfilled grains, over-ripe and hard, uneven rows. Not filled to tips of ears, worm damage. Medium size, firm Color clear and typical of variety Clean, no growth cracks All with stems closely trimmed or all stems removed. Remove blossoms attached. Coarse, over or under-ripe, bruised, soft cracks or corrugation Scarring
Watermelon Good weight for size Medium to large in size Bright intense green color or even striping over melon. Yellow rather than white spot where melon rested on the ground. Form even and regular without bulges or furrows. Trim stem to one inch Light in weight, uneven shape or color, blemishes Ground spot white Special Points to Consider in Selection and Judging Fruits: Apples Specimens should be typical of the variety, uniform in size, color and maturity Free from insect, disease and mechanical damage Size medium to large, but size is not important factor. Stems should be left attached; remove leaves and spurs Not uniform, blemishes Grapes Pears Peaches Plums Typical of variety Berries should be uniform in size, color and maturity Uniform in shape, size, color and maturity, typical of variety Leave stems attached Uniform in every respect with the ground color of the fruit yellow Stems of peaches need not be present, but should be uniform with or without stem Care in handling to prevent bruising is a must Uniform and typical of variety, fresh, plump and full color, free from damage Stems attached; do not remove natural bloom