CHAPTER II 



AN EVALUATION OF FOUR VEGETABLE CROPPING 

 PATTERNS FOR NORTH FLORIDA 



Introduction 



Vegetable production in North Florida among small-scale growers 

 is characterized by relatively few total hectares (^5) . a. short cropping 

 period (63), limited and inefficient marketing systems (29, 50, 129), 

 and a low level of crop management (42). Climate and soil conditions 

 favor the growing of vegetables during spring and fall seasons, whereas 

 higher temperatures and intense rainfall during sximmer and freezing 

 temperatures (36) in winter limit production of vegetables. 



In general, average yields of vegetable crops grown by small- 

 scale fsirmers in North Florida are lower than in South Florida (29, ^5). 

 For example, average yields of eight out of ten vegetables were higher 

 in South Florida than in North Florida (45). Climate, cropping systems, 

 labor, and m.arket constraints limit production levels aund profit margins 

 from vegetable production in North Florida (29, 30, 50). In addition, 

 low income (42) and limited education levels (115 » 170, 172) among 

 small-scale growers contribute to marginal vegetable production enter- 

 prises. 



Crop management levels utilized by many vegetable growers also 

 contribute to lower yields in North Florida. Crop management level is 

 defined as capital, labor, and other production inputs including pro- 

 duction skills that the farmer allocates to produce various crops. 

 Examples are levels of irrigation, weed control, insect and disease 

 mansLgement, tillage, mulching, staking, crop establishment, and 



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