^7 



Materials and Methods 



Experimental site . This 2-year study was conducted at the Horti- 

 cultural Unit of the University of Florida at Gainesville (29° ^■3' N 

 latitude, 82 20' W longitude) beginning in October 1977) and termi- 

 nating in October 1979- The climate is warm (average max 3^ G; min 11 C) 

 and humid (average 229 nui^ rainfall/month) from April to September, 

 whereas October to March is cool (average max 24 G; min 0.55 G) and dry 

 (average 76 mm rainfall/month). 



joil characteristics . The soil was classified as Kanapaha fine 

 sand (loamy, siliceous, hypertheinnic , Grossarenic Paleauq_uult) with 1% 

 organic matter and a CSC of 2.52 meq/lOO g (27). Initial soil chemical 

 analysis resulted in a pH of 6.5, O.CM-% N, 385 aJid 46 ppm of double-acid 

 extractable P and K, respectively. 



Classification of vegetable crops . Since vegetable crops require 

 different levels of management, they were classified into three manage- 

 ment groups: low (Ui) , medium (MM), and high (HM). These management 

 groups were based on average costs of fertilizers, pesticides, cultural 

 labor, and 5-yeaj: average har^/esting costs for producing each vegetable 

 crop in Florida (19)- For example, HM crops such as pole bean and bulb 

 onion required a production cost of $2,550/ha, T-fhereas LM crops such as 

 southern pea and English pea required only $790/ha. Labor and harvest- 

 ing costs ccnstituts the largest portion of the total production costs. 



Selection of vegetable crops . Seven vegetable crops were selected 

 based on total production costs and marketing potentials in North Florida. 



