Progress 03/15/02 to 03/15/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the 2007-08 season, strawberry studies were conducted to: a) compare cultivars in multi-location trials, and b) establish the feasibility of high-tunnel culture for producing the crop in Florida. For objective a), the cultivars Strawberry Festival, Winter Dawn, Camarosa, Treasure, Ruby Gem, Florida Radiance and Florida Elyana were tested in Balm, Florida. 'Strawberry Festival' and 'Treasure' had the highest early marketable fruit weight among all cultivars, followed by 'Camarosa', 'Florida Elyana', 'Florida Radiance' and 'Winter Dawn', which were not statistically different from each other. Total marketable fruit weights were the highest in plots planted with 'Treasure', 'Strawberry Festival' and 'Florida Radiance'. For objective b), the cultivars Strawberry Festival, Winter Dawn, and Florida Elyana were transplanted in both open-field and under high-tunnels and the preliminary data indicated that cultivars under tunnels had the highest yields. 'Strawberry Festival', 'Winter Dawn' and 'Florida Elyana' produced 47, 57 and 114% more early fruit weight, respectively, under tunnels than in open-field culture. Similar results were found for total yields, with 39, 87 and 85% higher yields of the same cultivars under tunnels than in open-fields. Freezing temperatures in February 2008 seemed to play a major role in this response. PARTICIPANTS: Coauthors are Teresa P. Salame, Craig K. Chandler and Steve A. Sargent. Partial funding was provided by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the North America Strawberry Growers Association. TARGET AUDIENCES: Strawberry growers, researchers, extensionists and industry representatives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None.
Impacts
Preliminary results were presented at the 2008 meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society.
Publications
- Salame, T.P., B.M. Santos, C.K. Chandler, and S.A. Sargent. 2008. Horticultural potential of producing florida strawberry cultivars under high tunnels. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121:(in press).
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the 2006-07 season, strawberry studies were conducted to: a) determine the appropriate drip-irrigation frequency and volume for three cultivars; b) examine the effect of preplant N fertilization on the crop growth and yield; c) compare cultivars in multi-location trials; d) establish the feasibility of high-tunnel culture for producing the crop in Florida; and e) determine the optimum planting date for intercropped cucurbits. For objective a), irrigation rates of 100, 200 and 400 gal/100 ft row/week split in 1 or 2 cycles/day were applied in plots planted with the cultivars Strawberry Festival, Winter Dawn, and Ruby Gem. Plots were irrigated daily. Preliminary data indicated that using a volume of 100 gal/100 ft/week is sufficient to produce all three strawberry cultivars. Splitting the irrigation to 2 cycles/day increased average total yield by 9%. For the b) study, plots were established with 0, 20 and 40 lb N/acre, using ammonium nitrate as the preplant fertilizer
source. There were no yield differences among treatments, which suggested that growers can produce strawberries without applying preplant N fertilizer. For objective c), the cultivars Strawberry Festival, Winter Dawn, Albion, Camino Real, Camarosa, Carmine, and Treasure were tested in three locations in Florida (Balm, Quincy and Homestead). Winter Dawn, Strawberry Festival and Camarosa provided the highest early and total yields in most cases across the locations. For objective d), the cultivars Strawberry Festival, Winter Dawn, and Ruby Gem were transplanted in both open-field and under high-tunnels and the preliminary data indicated that there were no differences in earliness or total yields between both productions systems, although there were difference among cultivars. Above-normal winter temperatures seemed to play a major role in this response. For the e) experiment, cucumber, summer squash, and muskmelon were intercropped with strawberries on 25 Jan., 9 and 23 Feb., and 9 and
23 Mar. None of the three intercropped species affected strawberry yield up to 60 days before the end of the season on 25 Mar. Cucumber yield responded rapidly increased from 25 Jan. to 23 Feb., reaching the maximum yield between 23 Feb. and 9 Mar., and declining afterwards. Warmer temperatures seemed to favor summer squash yield, performing better at or after 23 Feb. Planting summer squash as early as 25 Jan. reduced yields by 36%, in comparison with those obtained in plots planted on 23 Feb. The opposite tendency was observed with muskmelon, reducing yield as temperatures increased. The largest production was measured when the crop was planted on 25 Jan. and 9 Feb.
PARTICIPANTS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, the North America Strawberry Growers Association financially supported these studies. Couthors include Craig K. Chandler, Steve Olsen, Alicia J. Whidden, Teresa Olczyk, Silvia Slamova, Elizabeth Golden, and Teresa Salame.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Growers, industry, extension agents, and researchers.
Impacts
Information from this project will help to: a) reduce the amount of nitrogen leached to groundwaters, thus impacting water quality of aquifers; b) improve the irrigation efficiency for producing strawberries, thus saving water volumes; c) explore the opportunity for growers to produce earlier under alternative cultivars and production sytems, thus impacting economic feasibility; and d) improving sustainability of the strawberry production by reusing plastic mulch, residual fertilizers and fumigantion, and drip-irrigation lines in intercropped systems with cucurbits.
Publications
- Gilreath, J. P., Santos, B. M. & Motis, T. N. 2007. "Performance of Methyl Bromide Alternatives in Strawberry." HortTechnology. 17
- Santos, B. M., Gilreath, J. P., Lopez-Aranda, J. M., Miranda, L., Soria, C. & Medina, J. J. 2007. "Comparing Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Strawberry in Florida and Spain." Journal of Agronomy. 6:225-227
- Santos, B. M., Chandler, C. K., Olson, S. M. & Olczyk, T. 2007. "Performance of Strawberry Cultivars in Florida." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society. 120
- Santos, B. M., Golden, E. A., *Slamova, S. & Whidden, A. J. 2007. "Determining Optimum Planting Dates for Intercropped Cucumber, Squash, and Muskmelon with Strawberry." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society. 120
- Santos, B. M. & Whidden, A. J. 2007. "Nitrogen Fertilization of Strawberry Cultivars: Is Preplant Starter Fertilizer Needed?." Gainesville, Florida: IFAS Publications. 2 pp. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS370.
- Santos, B. M. & Whidden, A. J. 2007. "Optimum Planting Dates for Intercropped Cucumber, Squash, and Muskmelon with Strawberry." Gainesville, Florida: IFAS Publications. 3 pp.
- Santos, B. M., Chandler, C. K., Olson, S. M. & Olczyk, T. 2007. "Strawberry Cultivar Evaluations in Florida: 2006-07 Season." Gainesville, Florida: IFAS Publications. 3 pp.
- Santos, B. M. 2007. "Using Preplant Starter Fertilizer with 'Strawberry Festival'." Berry/Vegetable Times.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
During the 2005-06 season, a major emphasis was placed on examine the effects of nitrogen (N) and irrigation rates on diverse strawberry cultivars. N rates indicated that there was a differential response of cultivars, with Strawberry Festival increasing yields with N rates up to 0.85 lb N/acre/day. However, further research is needed to compare cultivar performance with higher fertilization rates. It was also determined that the irrigation volumes considered (60, 80, 100 and 120 gal/100 ft/week applied three times/week) were not sufficient to adequately compare these against grower practices. Another studied aspect during the season was the effect of planting dates (Jan. 25, Feb. 9, and 23, Mar. 9 and 23) of cucurbits double-cropped with strawberries. The preliminary results showed that planting in Jan. 25 and Feb. 9 had the lowest cucumber, squash, and muskmelon yields and there were no significant differences among the remaining three planting dates for each
species. Cold temperatures appear to be the major reason for the low performance of all three cucurbit species during late Jan. and early Feb. Based on results from previous seasons, eight studies are being conducted in 2006-07 to: a) determine the effect of three N rates on three strawberry cultivars; b) assess the influence of preplant N application on strawberry yield; c) examine the effect of six irrigation programs (combination of volumes and frequencies) on three strawberry cultivars; d) performance of eight strawberry cultivars in three Florida locations; e) compare the impact of high-tunnel and open-field culture and in-row spacings on the production of three strawberry cultivars; f) determine the influence of runner-plugging dates on the production earliness of strawberry four strawberry cultivars; g) assess the effect of hair soil mats on strawberry yield and quality; and h) determine the optimum planting dates for double-cropped cucumber, squash, and muskmelon with
strawberry.
Impacts
This research serves as the basis to change N fertilization practices from a "one-size fits-all" recommendation for all strawberry cultivars to a "cultivar-based" recommendation based on the vigor and physiology of each. It also helped to emphasize the importance of frequency of irrigation, which is as important as applied water volumes.
Publications
- Gilreath, J.P., Santos, B.M., Noling, J.W., Locascio, S.J., Dickson, D.W., Rosskopf, E.N. and Olson, S.M. 2006. "Performance of Containerized and Bare-Root Transplants with Soil Fumigants for Florida Strawberry Production". HortTechnology 16:461-465.
- Cantliffe, D.J., Gilreath, P.R., Haman, D.Z., Hutchinson, C.M., Li, Y., McAvoy, E.J., Migliaccio, K.W., Olczyk, T., Olson, S.M., Parmenter, D.M., Santos, B.M., Shukla, S., Simonne, E.H., Stanley, C.D. and Whidden, A.J. 2006. "Review of Nutrient Management Systems for Florida Vegetable Producers". Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 119:(in press).
- Santos, B.M., Duval, J.R., Golden, E.A., Simonne, E.H. and Whidden, A.J. 2006. "Influence of Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Rates on Strawberry Cultivars". Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 119:(in press).
- Santos, B.M., Gilreath, J.P., Lopez-Aranda, J.M., Miranda, L., Soria, C., Medina, J.J. and Whidden, A.J. 2006. "Performance of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Strawberry Production in Florida and Spain.." Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 119:(in press).
- Santos, B.M. 2006. "Advances on Irrigation and Nitrogen Rates Studies with Strawberry Varieties". Berry/Vegetable Times, February 2006, p. 2.
- Santos, B.M. and Gilreath, J.P. 2006. "How Long Could Roundup Residues Stay on Plastic Mulch?" Vegetarian Newsletter, November 2006.
- Santos, B.M., Chandler, C.K. and Whidden, A.J. 2006. "Response of Strawberry Cultivars to Nitrogen Rates: 2006 Season". Vegetarian Newsletter, August 2006.
- Santos, B.M. 2006. "Citrus and Vegetable Magazine". Seminole, Florida: Vance Publishing Corporation. 1 pp.
- Santos, B.M. 2006. "Strawberry Research and Extension at GCREC". Gulf Coast Research and Education Center website:(http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/SantosHortProgram/strawberryresear ch.wmv). (Audiovisual Material).
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilization use for Florida strawberry production in growers fields does not agree with the current IFAS-University of Florida recommendations for the crop. In most cases, strawberry growers apply significantly higher amounts to obtain profitable yields. Because of this, field studies have been conducted to compare strawberry growth and yield under varying irrigation volumes and N rates. The cultivars Festival, Winters Dawn, and Ventana were planted, and established with three fertilizer rates (0.36, 0.48 and 0.60 lb N/acre/day) and four irrigation regimes (60, 80, 100, and 120 gal/100 ft/week). The results indicated that the yields of Winter's Dawn and Ventana were not affected by either irrigation or N fertilization. However, late and total Festival yields were higher with either 80 or 100% of N rate (0.48 and 0.60 lb N/acre/day) than with 60%. Further studies are being conducted to examine the response of the same cultivars, including
the perceived overfertilization practice (140% N IFAS recommendation) used by growers into the study.
Impacts
Lower water and fertilizer useage will decrease environmental impacts of water usage, farm fertilizer expenses, and increase fruit yields and/or quality.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Experimentation has been concluded on the effect of relay-intercropping on late season yield of strawberry. It was found that intercropping with pepper, squash, cantaloupe or pickles did not detrimentally affect strawberry yield. The ramification of this research is that crop insurance policies for strawberries should not be invalidated by this practice. Calcium nutrition investigations of strawberries grown in Florida has been completed. Data collected and published from this research show conclusively that calcium supplementation either foliarly or through the soil does not improve post harvest quality or shelf-life. In addition, it was shown that plant and/or berry tissue Ca concentration is not correlated with berry firmness. These results provide a sound basis for not recommending supplemental Ca applications to growers. This will reduce the amount of money that is spent on Ca fertilizers and cost related to their application. Research on the use of
prohexadione-Ca to reduce stress and decrease establishment irrigation needs has been completed. Results indicate that the use of prohexadione-Ca can increase early yields. These results suggest that monetary returns to growers can be increased during the early season (Nov-Jan) when prices are highest for Florida producers. Nutritional experiments are under way to determine optimum nitrogen recommendations for strawberry cultivars with different growth habits. Four fertilization rates along with 3 irrigation rates are being examined. Preliminary data show that decreased nitrogen and irrigation from current recommendations do not significantly reduce yield. Specific knowledge of fertilization and water management for strawberry production will maximize resource utilization, maximize profits, and minimize negative environmental impacts. This will ensure that Florida strawberry producers will be in compliance with local, state and federal regulations concerning water usage and not exceed
fertilizer pollution standards. Overall water consumption will be decreased by 3 acre inches per year on the 7000 acres of strawberry grown in Florida. Transplant nitrogen loading is being investigated as a means to increase early season yields of strawberry. Through increased plant N levels at planting it is hoped that normally deficient transplants will be able to begin vegetative and reproductive growth more quickly increasing monetary returns to growers by increasing early yields. Application of kaolinite clay to bed surfaces to reduce the amount of heat encountered by transplants at establishment is currently being investigated as a means to increase early yields and reduce water use at establishment. Kaolin is a white clay that adheres to the bed surface and is slowly washed away during establishment. This will allow for a cooler white surface during establishment and a warmer black surface during cold winter months. Reduced heat stress should allow for reduced water use and
preliminary data show an increase in early strawberry yields.
Impacts
Information gathered on transplant manipulation will increase the productiveness of strawberry transplants and increase monetary returns to growers. Lower water and fertilizer useage will decrease environmental impacts of water usage, farm fertilizer expenses, and increase fruit yields and/or quality.
Publications
- Duval, John R. 2004. J Rooting of Florida Strawberry Transplants Does Not Affect Their Performance. Small Fruits Review. Accepted in press.
- John R. Duval, Craig K. Chandler and Elizabeth Golden. 2004. Planting Date Affects Early Season Fruit Yield of Strawberry in a Subtropical Environment. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. Accepted in press.
- Duval, John R., Price, J. F., Hochmuth, George J., Stall, W. M., Olson, S. M., Taylor, T. G., Smith, T. G., Simonne, Eric H.. 2004. Vegetable Production Guide for Florida. Strawberry production in Florida Editor: Olson, S. M., Simonne, Eric H. Vance Publishing. p. 277-283
- Reekie, J., P. Hinklenton, J.R. Duval, and P.C. Struik. 2004. Use of mowing and prohexadione calcium to modify strawberry nursery plant morphology for plasticulture fruit production.Can. J. Plant Sci. Accepted in press.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 10/01/03
Outputs
Experimentation was concluded on the effects of root orientation at planting, planting date, fruiting patterns of bare-root and containerized transplants, and open field hydroponic production of strawberry. Experiments demonstrated that current planting strategies were inconsistent with maximization of strawberry yields. In addition, the limitations of open field hydroponic production of strawberry were shown. The use of gibberellic acid inhibitor, auxins, and abscisic acid are being examined to reduce the amount of overhead irrigation required to establish transplants in the Florida annual hill production system. The use of prohexidione calcium as a growth retardant in combination with th e removal of leaves in the nursery is being examined as a means to improve the morphology and performance of strawberry transplants in the fruiting field. Information gathered from these experiments will benefit producers by providing low cost methods to improve the performance of
strawberry plants, increasing monetary returns and limiting environmental impacts due to water use at establishment. Nutritional experiments are underway to determine optimum nitrogen recommendations for strawberry based upon growth habit. Three fertilization regimes in combination with four levels of irrigation are being examined. Nutritional conditioning of transplants in Canadian nurseries is being examined as a means to increase early yields of strawberry. In addition, the effects of supplemental calcium and sulfur applied preplant , through the drip system and foliarly. Data is being collected to determine the role of calcium and sulfur on fruit quality. In addition, the effect of intercropping strawberry with squash, cantaloupe, cucumber and pepper is being explored to determeine the point where intercrop competition decreases strawberry yields in the late season. Results from these trials will improve the effeciency of fertilizers applied to the strawberry crop.
Impacts
Information gathered on transplant manipulation will increase the productiveness of strawberry transplant increasing monetary returns to growers. Water and fertilizer experimentation will decrease environmental impacts of excess fertilization, water usage, farm fertilizer expenses, and increase fruit yields and/or quality.
Publications
- Duval, J. 2003. Effect of prohexidione-ca and mepiquat chloride on stolon production and yield of Florida grown strawberry (Fragraria X ananassa Duch.) Small Fruit Rev. 4(2).
- Duval, J.R., Chandler, C.K., and E. Golden. 2003. Planting date affects early season yield of strawberry (Fragraria X ananassa Duch.) in a winter annual hill production system. HortScience 38:672.
- Duval, J. 2003. effect of prohexidione calcium and mepiquat chloride on stolon production and yield of Florida grown strawberry (Fragraria X ananassa Duch.). HortScience 38:701.
- Esmel, C. and J. Duval. 2003. effects of supplemental calcium on yield and quality of 'Sweet Charlie' strawberry. HortScience 38:848.
- Simonne, E., Studstill, D., Duval, J., Hochmuth, B., McAvoy, G., Olson, S., and T. Olcyzk. 2003. Extension efforts in the Florida BMP era: Needs, challenges, opportunities, and some accomplishments. HortScience 38:1288.
- Simonne, E., Studstill, D., Dukes, M., Duval, J., Hochmuth, B., McAvoy, G., and T. Olcyzk. 2003. Are you dyeing to see where irrigation water goes? HortScience 38:1266
- Reekie, J.Y., Hicklenton, P.R., Duval, J.R., Chandler, C., and P.C. Struik. 2003. Manipulating transplant morphology to advance and enhance fruit yield in strawberry. Acta Hort. 626:235-240.
- Reekie, J.Y., Hicklenton, P.R., Duval, J., and Struik, P.C. 2004. Using mowing and prohexidione calcium to modify strawberry nursery plant morphology for plasticulture fruit production. Can. J. Plant Sci. Accepted.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 10/01/02
Outputs
Experimentation has been concluded on the effects of mechanical damage and root mass at planting. Results from mechanical damage experiments demonstrated that current harvesting and packing of strawberry transplants reduces yields in the fruiting field by 20-30%. Experimentation on the effects of root mass at planting showed that when roots are pruned to 5cm no differences in yield are expressed compared to unpruned roots (greater than 12 cm) The use of a gibberellic acid inhibitor and auxins are being examined to possibly reduce the amount of over-head irrigation needed to establish plants in the Florida production system. The use of prohexidione-calcium as a growth retardant in combination with the removal of leaves in the nursery is being examined as a means to improve the performance of strawberry transplants in the fruiting field. Information gained from these experiments will benefit producers by providing methods to improve the performance of strawberry
transplants, increasing yields and decreasing water usage for establishment. Nutritional experiments are under way to determine optimum nitrogen recommendations for strawberry cultivars with different growth habits. Four fertilization rates along with 3 irrigation rates are being examined. Frequency of fertilization and nitrogen form are being examined. In addition, the effect of calcium on yield, fruit quality and post harvest storage of strawberry is being examined. Calcium is being supplied to growing plants as a soil amendment (calcium sulfate) at rates of 0, 200, and 400 lbs/A in combination with foliar application of Ca chloride (400 and 800 ppm) and Ca sulfate (400 ppm). This research will provide growers with scientifically based information to maximize yields while minimize expenses associated with fertilization, and decrease negative environmental impacts of fertilization.
Impacts
Information gathered concerning transplant manipulation and transplant quality parameters will increase the productiveness of strawberry producers. Increases of early strawberry yields will improve profitability of Florida?s winter strawberry production allowing growers to remain in business despite increasing pressure from urbanization of farming areas. Specific knowledge of fertilization and water management for strawberry production will minimize resource utilization, maximize profits, and minimize negative environmental impacts. This will ensure that Florida strawberry producers will be in compliance with local, state and federal regulations concerning water usage and not exceed fertilizer pollution standards. Overall water consumption will be decreased by 3 acre inches year on the 7000 acres of strawberry grown in Florida.
Publications
- Duval, J.R. 2002. Use of Prohexidione-Ca to Increase Early Yield and Reduce Establishment Irrigation of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Proc. Fl. State Hort. Soc.
- Duval, John R., Golden, Elizabeth. 2002 Severe root pruning of strawberry bare root transplants has no effect on yield.. HortScience. In Press
- Duval, John R., Chandler, Craig K., Legard, Dan E., Legard, Dan E., Hicklenton, Peter. 2002 Reducing mechanical damage during transplant digging increases early season fruit yield of strawberry. HortTechnology. In Press
- Legard, Dan E., Hochmuth, G. J., Stall, W. M., Duval, J. R., Price, James F., Taylor, T. G., Smith, S. A.. 2002. Vegetable production Guide for Florida. Strawberry production in Florida Editor: Maynard, D. N., Olson, S. M. Gainesville, FL: UF-IFAS, pg 237-241
- Duval, John R., Chandler, Craig K., Legard, Dan E., Hicklenton, Peter.2002. Performance of hand- and machine- dug transplants in the Florida production system. Acta Horticulturae 567:289-292.
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