Student: Laura Reusche
Spring 2024 Solanum aethiopicum ‘Gilo’ Variety Trial at the Evergreen Organic Farm
Student Participants: Aaron, Emerson, Laura, Oonaugh, Sarah
Faculty Sponsors: Martha Rosemeyer, Sarah Williams, Robin Morgan
Description
Student will study replicated variety trials, specifically variety trial design, and will plan the design of the Solanum aethiopicum ‘Gilo’ variety trial at the Evergreen Organic Farm; student will produce a cited report on the variety trial design, accounting for methodology across several different variables, such as plant spacing, trellising, soil amendment, mulch, and irrigation. Student will design and implement a germination study surrounding the ‘Gilo’ varieties being grown in the trial. Student will produce a cited paper for each study, focusing on methodology and findings. Additionally, compare soil germination with a more controlled germination study of the five varieties with the addition of S. melongena ‘Orient Express’, in petrie dishes within a growth chamber. Orient Express is a variety which exhibits cold tolerance. Student will be involved in all aspects of field work including transplanting, field preparation, watering, measurements, and pest and disease management. In addition to meetings to discuss work with faculty, the student will post weekly progress to the project’s WordPress ePortfolio.
Learning Objective
To learn how to design and
implement a germination
study of the varieties of S.
aethiopicum ‘Gilo’ being
grown for the trial.
Activities
The student will design, implement, and document a germination study of the varieties being grown in the trial, utilizing the paper “Enhancement of seed germination in the African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum)” by Deonice Amini Mshida. Student will use Excel statistical analysis on collected data to produce a conclusive paper explaining the experiment’s parameters and findings.
Evaluation
A final report on the germination study’s design, methodology, and outcomes. Notes and progress posted to an ePortfolio with weekly blog posts and consistent APA documentation.