OSC Activity F.6

1. Develop a commercial system for growing organic day neutral strawberries on platforms.
2. Develop a commercial system for growing organic raspberries under tunnels.

The Canadian market for organic strawberries and raspberries is growing, but the vast majority of products sold in supermarkets come from California, where climate conditions are more favourable to organic agriculture. The objective of this project is to design and develop a new system for producing organically grown strawberries and raspberries in tunnels. The growing of strawberries and raspberries in large tunnels will help to reduce the need for plant health products. In the case of strawberry plants, we will develop a system for organic fertilization in containers that is suitable for day neutral strawberries and ensures fruit production over a three‑month period. In the case of raspberry plants, we will develop a system for soil‑based organic growing of raspberries that will involve periodic inputs of soluble organic fertilizer and compost. In the case of both crops, the organic fertilization systems will be compared with conventional fertilization techniques using synthetic fertilizers in order to determine the production potential when nutrients are unlimited. We will measure fertility of the growing mediums, mineral composition of the plants, crop growth and productivity and fruit quality. The project will be carried out in partnership with Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada and Laval University research scientists and Berger Peat Moss experts, who will provide certified‑organic growing medium and provide mineral analysis services.

The achievement of these objectives will make it possible to propose to the Canadian horticultural industry a production system promoting productivity and fruit quality while minimizing the risks associated with conventional field‑grown organic crops. As a result, Canadian consumers will have access to high quality, locally produced organic products.

• Berries, Berries, Berries [PDF - 5.9 MB]
  • The Canadian Organic Grower. 2012
• High Tunnel Production of Organic Strawberry grown on Raised Gutters: Effects of Fertilization Management on Three Cultivars
  • 2nd International Organic Fruit Symposium. 2012
• High Tunnel Production of Organic Raspberries: Effects of Fertilization Management
  • 2nd International Organic Fruit Symposium. 2012.
• High Tunnel Production of Organic Raspberries [PDF - 72 kB]
  • Canadian Organic Science Conference. 2012
    
• High Tunnel Production of Organic Strawberry: Effects of Fertilization Management on Three Cultivars [PDF - 30 kB]
  • Canadian Organic Science Conference. 2012
• Organic strawberries and raspberries: The berry best
  • OACC News Article. 2011
    

• Greenhouse raspberry: production guide [PDF - 4.4 MB] 
  • Cornell University, 2003
• Influence of high tunnel and field conditions on strawberry growth and development
  • HortScience (2006) 41: 329-335
• Overview of the use of high tunnels worldwide
  • HortTechnology (2009) 19: 25-29

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Les Fraises de l'île d'Orléans, Inc.
• Les Tourbières Berger Ltée.