High Tunnel Production of Organic Strawberry Grown on Raised Gutters: Effects of Fertilization Management on Three Cultivars

E. Poupart¹, M. Dorais^2*, L. Gaudreau¹, A. Gosselin¹, L. Gauthier³, Y. Desjardins², D. Dupuis⁴ and S. Khanizadeh⁵

Abstract

High tunnel production systems are gaining in popularity in eastern Canada to extend harvest until October, increase yield, limit pathogen damage, and improve the quality of fruits and vegetables. However, very little research has been conducted to evaluate the season extension benefits and profitability offered by high tunnels for organic fruits. The fresh market for organic fruits is dominated by the United States, particularly California, where ideal growing conditions extend the harvest season.

The purpose of this study was to develop an organic growing system under high tunnels for day-neutral strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars in eastern Canada. To test the effect of fertilization and soil management on different cultivars, a split-plot experiment with four replicates was performed at Les Fraises de l’Île d’Orléans (St-Laurent d’Orléans, Québec). The effects of two fertilization regimes combined with two organic growing mediums on soil mineral content, plant growth, yield and fruit quality were determined. The four treatments were: 1) organic liquid fertilisation with an organic growing media, 2) organic solid and liquid fertilisation with an organic growing media, 3) conventional nutrient solution with an organic growing media, and 4) conventional nutrient solution with a conventional growing media. The three cultivars (‘Seascape’, ‘Charlotte’, and ‘Monterey’) were subplots in the experiment. Plants were transplanted into 3-liter containers and watered with a drip irrigation system.

In general, fertilization and growing media treatments had no significant effect on total yield and fruit size. The harvest period under high tunnels was extended by 4 weeks compared to an adjacent field crop. Under the organic and conventional regimes, the productivity of ‘Seascape’ was 40% higher than ‘Charlotte’. Fruit dry matter of ‘Charlotte’ was lower under the organic regimes compared to the conventional control. Results will also be discussed in terms of nutrient availability, as well as the profitability of this high-tunnel growing system for organic strawberry.

Source

Proceedings of the 2nd International Organic Fruit Symposium. June 18-21, 2012. Leavenworth, Washington.

Author Locations and Affiliations

(1) Horticulture Research Centre, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 Canada
(2) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 Canada
(3) Les Fraises de l’île d’Orléans, St-Laurent d’Orléans, QC, G0A 3Z0 Canada
(4) Les Tourbières Berger Ltée, St-Modeste, QC, G0L 3W0 Canada
(5) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CRDH, St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC, J3B 3E6 Canada


Posted August 2012