Strawberry Cultivar Evaluation under High-tunnel and Organic Management in North Carolina

Abstract

<jats:p>High-tunnel strawberry (<jats:italic>Fragaria ×ananassa</jats:italic>) production for extended seasons has a great economic potential for small farmers. However, information on cultivars that are suitable for high tunnels is rather limited. In this study conducted in the 2014–15 season, strawberry plugs of eight June-bearing cultivars (Florida Radiance, Benicia, Camarosa, Camino Real, Chandler, Strawberry Festival, Sweet Charlie, and Winterstar) and two day-neutral cultivars (San Andreas and Albion) were evaluated for yield performance, fruit quality, and vegetative growth in organically managed high tunnels at two locations in North Carolina. Significant cultivar differences in whole-season yield were observed at Greensboro, NC; but not at Goldsboro, NC. The cultivar Florida Radiance had the highest marketable and total yields, followed by Winterstar and Chandler at Greensboro, whereas Benicia, Winterstar, and Chandler were the top producing cultivars at Goldsboro. Harvest of day-neutral cultivars San Andreas and Albion started in November. For June-bearing cultivars, Florida Radiance began to produce harvestable berries in late December, followed by Winterstar in early January. Peak harvest occurred in April for all cultivars. At the end of the season, ‘Albion’ had smaller canopy size than other cultivars. It also developed the fewest number of branch crowns and least aboveground biomass. Total soluble solid (TSS) content in April was lower than that observed early and late in the season for all cultivars, although Strawberry Festival exhibited a relatively stable TSS throughout the season. ‘Benicia’ produced the largest strawberries in the early season, but its fruit weight was remarkably reduced as the season progressed. Severe frost events occurred on 18 and 20 Feb. that caused an average of 61.5% and 32.2% open blossom damage at Greensboro and Goldsboro, respectively. The recommended cultivars based on this 1-year study are Florida Radiance, Benicia, and Camino Real for June-bearing cultivars, and Albion and San Andreas for day-neutral cultivars.</jats:p>

Growth and Yield of Organic Day-neutral Strawberries in Low Tunnels inside High Tunnel in North Carolina

“…Both cultivars have better fruit quality compared with other day-neutral cultivars and June-bearers (Ballington et al, 2008;Ruan et al, 2013;Tudor et al, 2014). In our pervious cultivar evaluations, 'Albion' and 'San Andreas' had earlier fruit harvest than June-bearers (Gu et al, 2017b).…”

“…Most of these studies used June-bearing cultivars. Our previous varietal trials also proved that, with the help of rowcovers, strawberry could be successfully produced through winter, although unpredictable low temperatures in winter could cause chilling damage to fruit (Gu et al, 2017b). Additional winter protections such as adding low tunnels (LT) inside HT, may lead to reliable winter harvests.…”

Winter Broccoli and Cauliflower under Organic High Tunnels in a Humid, Subtropical Climate

“…A strawberry study conducted in FL found 54% greater yields and marketable fruit weight 69% greater under high tunnels compared with open field production (Salame-Donoso et al, 2010). In NC, differences among strawberry cultivars correlated with greater yields under high tunnels indicating the importance of crop and cultivar selection (Gu et al, 2017). An organic tomato study in NC found that heirlooms grown under high tunnels in the spring and summer had equal or greater yields depending on the year, and they were consistently harvested three weeks earlier than the field (O'Connell et al, 2012).…”

“…An early spring lettuce crop in TN achieved not only greater total yields under high tunnels compared with the field but the crop was also subject to more pest, disease, and physiological damage, reducing marketability of the crop (Wallace et al, 2012). Two studies (GA and NC) found that early blooming of small fruits (i.e., strawberry and Southern highbush blueberry) under high tunnels may increase frost damage and fruit abortion because of early bloom times (Gu et al, 2017;Ogden and van Iersel, 2009). Overall, high tunnels appear to offer a benefit in the region but yearly weather conditions, structure/system characteristics, cultivar selection, and crop sensitivity to fluctuating temperatures may affect potential yield gains.…”

The Status and Future of the Strawberry Industry in the United States

“…Area ( trialing new cultivars from a number of breeding programs; this may lead to a wider selection of cultivars that are planted in the future. There is continued interest in season extension through the use of low and high tunnels and row covers, especially where produce can be sold at local markets (Gu et al, 2017). The early success of the industry in this region is due, in part, to the use of MB as a soil fumigant to control soil-borne pests.…”