Locally produced strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa) have outstanding market potential. However, strawberry production has been decreasing in the north-central United States, partly because of high production risks associated with the traditional matted-row system. The annual plasticulture system attracts attention, but its low yield limits the wide adoption of the production system in the north-central United States.
High tunnels are widely used to extend strawberry seasons worldwide, but the system has not been fully explored in the United States. Although the benefits of growing strawberries in high tunnels were recognized, information on suitable strawberry cultivars specific for the fall-planted high tunnel production system is limited. The combined use of high tunnels and floating rowcovers created favorable microclimate conditions that led to high yields. Strawberry has great potential to be incorporated as a rotational crop in high tunnels.
In the current study, we compared yields, harvest durations, and fruit quality of 18 strawberry cultivars in fall-planted high tunnel production systems in Indiana for three seasons. The study provides farmers with readily available information on evaluating the feasibility of the production system and provides guidance for cultivar selection.
This study did not compare cultivars’ resistance to diseases, but it should be a critical factor in selecting cultivars. Future studies are also warranted to evaluate the effects of incorporating soil treatments and cover cropping for suppressing diseases in the soil-based high tunnel system. Sustainable management strategies to control two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) are also crucial in successfully using the system in the north-central United States.
Sustainable management strategies, including using natural enemies, are of great value for successfully managing the pest. Approximately 10% of fruit were misshapen at the beginning of the spring harvest, which may be caused by the environment and a lack of pollination. Although frosts were prevented by using floating row covers, low temperatures may delay pollen germination and limit carpel receptivity. Wind and self-pollination account for most of the pollination in open-field production, but they may be insufficient in the high tunnel system. Introducing insect pollinators to improve yield and reduce misshapen fruit should be evaluated in future studies.
Wenjing Guan is a horticultural specialist at Purdue University. She conducts applied research in commercial vegetable production, focusing on watermelon and cantaloupe, as well as season extension of diverse vegetables using different plastic cultural systems. Her specialty is vegetable grafting, a technique used on tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and cantaloupe to improve crops’ tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses.
For more information:
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
ashs.org