Post on 17-May-2018
transcript
Site Selection for Strawberries in Mississippi
Eric T. Stafne Associate Extension Professor
Fruit Crop Specialist Mississippi State University
Climate Scales • Macroclimate – large geographic region
• Mesoclimate – local climate
• Microclimate – specific environment around the
plants – Related to plant growth and development post-site
selection decision
Macro Site Selection Considerations
• Length of growing season
• Coolness of the dormant season (chilling)
• Frost
• Frequency of extreme low temperatures
• Summer high temperatures
• Precipitation
Frost • What is the frost-free date?
• How often can it be expected to occur during
growing season?
• Protection of plants
http://strawberries.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/03/what-growers-are-finding-out-this-morning-32213/?src=rss
Summer High Temperatures • Extreme high day and night temperatures in
summer can limit some species
• Fruit quality may suffer as respiration exceeds
photosynthesis
• Flowering inhibited when temps over ~80-85°F
Precipitation
• What is the average annual rainfall?
• When does it normally fall?
• Is drought a common occurrence?
• Is flooding a common occurrence?
Meso Site Selection Considerations
• Elevation • Topography • Slope • Aspect • Prior land use • Soils • Pests and other threats
Elevation
• Can have a big influence on minimum and maximum temperatures in planting area
• Look for “relative” elevation on site and plant near highest point
Low Elevations • More prone to frost
• Less air movement
• Poorer water and air
drainage
• More prone to disease http://ucanr.edu/sites/PAWMBA/Production_Projects/Strawberry/Overview_and_Management_802/
Slope/Aspect • The percent inclination or declination that varies from
horizontal
• Slight to moderate slope is desirable
• Important for cold air and water drainage
• Steep slopes (>15%) not recommended due to difficulty in equipment use and erosion potential
• Aspect is relation to sun, E and S are preferred to N and W
Prior Land Use • Compacted soils
• Prior crops grown on site
– Nematodes – Root rot fungi
• Pesticides used before
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/health/biology/?cid=nrcs142p2_053866
Previous Crops • Do not plant in areas previously planted with
alfalfa, raspberries, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc. if <4 years ago
• Fumigation may be necessary
• Long-term rotation is best option if feasible
Soil Type • Soil content • Soil pH • Soil moisture • Soil erosion and surface water mgt
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2000/7-24-2000/erosion.html
Soil Content • Strawberries grow in wide range of soil types
• Sandy loam and sandy clay loam preferred
• High clay content or very rocky make bed building
difficult
• Sandy soils require careful irrigation and nutrient management
Soil Characteristics • Ideal soil is well-drained
with adequate water-holding capacity
• Poor soil is poorly drained (internally or externally), and pH is not correct for the crop
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/frosprot_straw.htm
Soil pH • Favorable root environment • Availability of essential nutrients • Soil pH is key factor • Ideal pH is between 6.0-6.2 • Do a soil test • Low pH one frequent problem • Correct soil deficiencies before planting
Soil pH
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/home_gardening/Understanding+and+Improving+Soil+Fertility.htm
Soil Salinity and Alkalinity • Strawberries have low tolerance for salts
• Highly alkaline soils can cause chlorosis, yield loss
and plant die-back
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berrytool/strawberry/leavesandstems/strroundup.htm
Air Movement • The more air drainage, the better
• Air movement provides disease and frost protection
Windbreaks • Wooded area
• Windbreaks on N or NW side of field
• Why?
– Cold protection
http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/practices/wb.php
Water Drainage • Surface drainage is most important; avoid standing
water • Internal drainage is related to soil characteristics • Raised beds compensate for poorly drained soils
http://ucanr.edu/sites/PAWMBA/Production_Projects/Strawberry/Strawberry_Management,_Summary/
Surface Drainage • Permits water to move quickly and completely
• Standing water >1 day will injure plants
Internal Drainage • Avoid poorly drained sites
• Poor drainage can lead to “yellowing” and result in
reduced yields
• Use drainage tiles if necessary
Soil Erosion and Surface Water • Raised beds help with drainage, but not always
enough
• Have enough slope to move water away from field without erosion
• > 2 % slope may lead to excess soil erosion
• Annual ryegrass can reduce erosion
Soil Moisture
• Supplemental Irrigation necessary
http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3467
Irrigation Water Quality • Test first to determine quality
• Necessary for irrigation and frost protection
• Must have quality and quantity
• Food safety concerns
Strawberry Site Preparation
• Kill existing vegetation
• Apply soil amendments
• Construct beds
• Provide for drainage
Row Orientation • North to South best
– More uniform plant stands – More uniform ripening
• If field is flat, soil drainage most important
Weed Control in Strawberry • Kill perennial weeds
before planting
• Excess fertilization favors weeds
• Keep planted beds free of weeds
Wildlife • Protection from deer critical to success • Other potential pests • Rabbits • Moles • Voles • Coyotes
Crop Rotation • Rotate as often as possible
• Not always practical
• Avoid rotations with crops treated with:
– Herbicides – Plant growth regulators (PGRs)
• Could be carryover
Cover Crops • If rotation not possible, consider summer cover
crops – Reduce soil erosion – Improved soil structure – Improved soil stability and permeability – Decreased crusting – Increased water infiltration
• Incorporate into soil before fall planting
Important Site Components • Windbreaks • Row Orientation • Crop Rotation • Cover Crops • Wildlife • Soil Type • Surface Drainage • Soil Tilth • Internal Drainage • Soil pH • Salinity and Alkalinity • Previous Crops • Irrigation Water Quality • Microclimate
Cultivar Selection for Mississippi Strawberry
Production
Eric T. Stafne Associate Extension Professor
Fruit Crop Specialist Mississippi State University
• Consistent yields • High yields • Good flavor • Pest resistance • Increased shelf life (firmness without sacrificing
flavor and texture) • Aromas
Priorities in Cultivar Selection
Strawberry Cultivar Selection • Select locally adapted cultivars • Cultivars differ in sweetness, preservation quality,
pest resistance and fruiting period. • Plant multiple cultivars to prevent crop loss to
disease and frost events • Find a reliable and experienced nursery • Place your order early
Plant Quality
• Healthy looking
• No disease, insects, nematodes, virus
• True-to-type
• Do not let roots dry out
Plant Types
• Plugs – Most expensive, easier to plant, less
perishable, establish quicker, recommended
• Freshly dug – Highly perishable, hand transplanted
• “Cutoff”
Disease Resistance
• Reduces number of sprays
• Choose cultivars with resistance if possible/practical
• Not all diseases exist in all locations
Botrytis cinerea
• Young blossoms susceptible to Botrytis
• Fruit infections - soft, light brown, enlarge rapidly
Annual vs. Perennial Production
• Growing systems – Annual production on black plastic: plant
in fall, harvest in spring
– Matted row: rejuvenate beds by allowing daughter plants to grow
Plant Spacing • Spacing depends on cultivar and equipment
• Strawberries are planted in 30-inch-wide raised
beds
• Space beds 4 to 5 feet apart
• Space plants 12 to 15 inches in two staggered rows 12 inches apart
Pollination
• Most cultivars are self-fertile • Pollen from other cultivars may
improve fruit set and quality • Insect pollination (primarily bees) is
required
Strawberry Cultivar Selection Bearing types
• June-bearing - Produce a single spring crop
• Everbearing - produce 2 main crops, require long days (12+ hrs of light)
• Day-neutral – insensitive to daylength, but don’t tolerate heat well
June Bearers
• Best for Mississippi • Produce one large crop per year • Have largest berries • Season is 2-3 weeks long • Best yield and quality
Day-Neutral
• Flower and fruit set adequate when temps between 35 and 80 °F.
• In milder growing regions can produce fruit continually throughout year
• Small berry size • Not suitable for Mississippi growing
conditions
Everbearing
• Produce two crops per year • Spring and Fall • Few runners • Smaller crops, especially fall • Fruit quality less
Sweet Charlie
• Early market • Has good quality early, but falls off • Sweet fruit • May be more susceptible to crown rot
Camarosa
• Widely grown around the world • May not yield as much as Chandler • Fruit is large and firm • Plant is vigorous • Susceptible to anthracnose • Harvest at darker color for best quality
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Other Strawberry Cultivars to Consider – Earliglow
– Ventana – Strawberry Festival – Ovation – Oso Grande – Gaviota – Radiance – More…