https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nres_rpt/23
Date of Award
12-2021
Degree Name
MS in Environmental Sciences and Management
Department
Natural Resources Management
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Nicholas Babin
Advisor Department
Natural Resources Management
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Heat tolerant trials of vegetable crops will help to improve food security when it becomes affected by rising temperatures due to climate change. By having heat tolerant vegetable crops, we can ensure the well-being of individuals in our society—nutritionally, economically, and socially. California is responsible for 90% of the cauliflower production in the United States. This research aims to determine the overall productivity of three heat tolerant cauliflower varieties (Bishop, Mardi, Flame Star) during the summer months (July- September) on California’s central coast. Stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured throughout the growing cycle to evaluate plant stress and photosynthetic rate; the results were similar for each variety but had a large variation among the data collected from each plant. Ecological data, such as soil temperature, herbivory, height and soil moisture, were similar for each cauliflower variety throughout the growing season as well. The Bishop and Flame Star varieties produced similar yields of 27.34 pounds (Bishop) and 33.53 pounds (Flame Star), although the Mardi variety did not produce any marketable curds. The three varieties performed similarly, in terms of photosynthetic productivity and ecological data, which indicates that there are alternate dynamics related to biotic or abiotic stress that need to be evaluated in order to determine why the Bishop and Flame Star varieties yielded quality, marketable cauliflower curds relative to the Mardi variety.