Shufang Tian
0000-0002-0663-1933

postdoc

Publications

The Cost of High Tunnel and Caterpillar Tunnel Establishment for Vegetable Production

Yefan Nian, Zhifeng Gao, Xin Zhao, Ruojin Zhao, Shufang Tian, Isaac Vincent, and Zachary Ray

Due to increasing marketing and production risks in specialty crop production, a shift toward more protected culture systems such as a high tunnel production system is crucial to keep specialty crop farms profitable and sustainable in the United States. In this publication, we analyzed the cost of constructing high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels in Florida and examined the major contributors to their establishment costs. The findings are intended to assist farmers in deciding whether or not to add high tunnel or caterpillar tunnel systems to their farming operations.

Using High Tunnels to Enhance Organic Vegetable Production in Florida: an Overview

Shufang Tian, Xin Zhao, Isaac R. Vincent, Tian Gong, Zachary T. Ray, Jesusa Legaspi, Alejandro Bolques, Timothy W. Coolong, and Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez

Cost-effective high tunnel systems as a protected production tool hold great potential for offering multifaceted benefits to vegetable growers in Florida beyond season extension. The adoption of high tunnels in the U.S. has been largely fueled by the NRCS High Tunnel System Initiative. Various high tunnel structures may be adapted to the Florida environment for growing high-value vegetable crops. In particular, high tunnels can help improve crop yield and quality in organic vegetable production. This article provides an overview of high tunnel structures and environment, growth of high tunnel production and the organic produce sector, major advantages of using high tunnels to enhance organic vegetable production, and challenges of high tunnel management in Florida. Some online resources for high tunnel vegetable production are provided, and future research needs are also pointed out for improving the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of high tunnel production systems.

A Practical Guide for Adjusting Fertigation Water pH in Specialty Crop Production

Guodong Liu, Md Jahidul Islam Shohag, Lisa Hickey, Yuncong Li, and Shufang Tian

Fruit and vegetable producers have widely adopted fertigation as a common practice. However, achieving optimal nutrient use efficiency and growth of crops requires careful management of the irrigation water’s pH, especially when the water quality exhibits excessive acidity or alkalinity. Adjusting the pH of irrigation water is crucial to meet crop preferences and ensure optimal conditions for growth. Growers frequently encounter challenges in effectively optimizing irrigation water pH. This publication aims to address this issue by providing an overview of adjusting irrigation water pH and offering practical guidelines. The target audiences of this guide are farm/nursery managers, growers, crop advisors, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Extension agents, researchers, students, and others who are interested in crop production.

thumbnail for publication: “Push-pull” Technology and Companion Planting: A Dual Strategy for Insect Pest Management in High Tunnel Vegetable Production and Organic Systems

“Push-pull” Technology and Companion Planting: A Dual Strategy for Insect Pest Management in High Tunnel Vegetable Production and Organic Systems

Jesusa C. Legaspi, Alejandro Bolques, Fanny E. Ospina, Shufang Tian, Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez, Amanda C. Hodges, Adam J. Pitcher, and Xin Zhao

This publication is aimed to introduce “push-pull” technology and companion planting for pest management to high tunnel vegetable growers. It is also of interest to other crop producers wishing to improve their IPM practices.

Common Tomato High-Tunnel Production Diseases in Florida

Zachary D. Eldred, Shufang Tian, Gary E. Vallad, Xin Zhao, Mathews Paret, and Nicholas S. Dufault

This new 7-page article provides a concise overview of some influential high-tunnel tomato soilborne and foliar diseases and their cultural management techniques. Written by Zachary D. Eldred, Shufang Tian, Gary E. Vallad, Xin Zhao, Mathews Paret, and Nicholas S. Dufault and published by the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department.

Shufang Tian 0000-0002-0663-1933