Influence of High Tunnel and Field Conditions on Strawberry Growth and Development

Abstract

<jats:p>Plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberries (<jats:italic>Fragaria</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>ananassa</jats:italic> Duch.)—`Chandler' and `Sweet Charlie'—grown under high tunnels (HTs) were compared with that of field plants during 2002–03 and 2003–04 growing seasons. Plug plants were planted in mid-October 2002 and mid-September 2003 on raised beds covered with black polyethylene mulch. Microclimate of the HTs protected strawberry crowns from winter damage and advanced fruit production 5 weeks earlier than that of plants grown under field conditions. From December to February, average minimum and maximum crown temperatures under the HTs were 5 and 12 °C warmer than those of the field crowns, respectively. The earliest HT fruit were harvested on 7 Apr. 2003 and 11 Mar. 2004. Yield and fruit quality under the HTs were superior to that of field-grown plants. HT plants, especially `Sweet Charlie', bloomed earlier than did field plants, but `Chandler' produced higher yield than `Sweet Charlie' late in the season. Larger fruit with higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) were produced inside the HTs than outside. HT `Sweet Charlie' fruit were sweeter than `Chandler' fruit, but `Chandler' produced larger fruit. Larger leaf area, greater number of leaves and shoot biomass, more branch-crowns, and fewer runners were developed under HTs than field conditions. Total leaf area, leaf production, total shoot biomass, and number of branch-crowns of HT `Chandler' were greater than HT `Sweet Charlie'. Results of this study indicate that strawberry plants under HTs were not only precocious, but also produced higher yields and superior quality to that of field plants. HT conditions suppressed runner growth, but enhanced branch-crown development.</jats:p>

Preharvest effects on postharvest quality of spring-planted, day-neutral strawberries in high tunnels

“…Plants produced berries 5 weeks earlier than the open-field counterparts with 41-54°F warmer soil conditions. Size of berry, soluble solids content, yields, branch-crown development, and plant vigor were greater within the tunnel (Kadir et al, 2006a).…”

“…High tunnels add to the productivity of the crop when utilized for protection from wind, birds, and harsh weather, while minimizing disease pressure with less moisture on foliage (Phelps, 2014). Kadir et al (2006a) observed success with June-bearing strawberries grown in Kansas high tunnels in regards to yield, plant growth, and fruit quality. The high tunnel production method incorporated black plastic mulch, and raised beds.…”

“…High temperatures above 85°F encourage crown development (>6) which will potentially decrease fruit size (Poling, 2012). Kadir et al (2006a) observed that June-bearing strawberry production within a high tunnel system in Kansas resulted in greater berry size in comparison to open field when harvested in May to June. They also found positive correlations between number of fruit, average fruit weight, and largest fruit weight within the high tunnel production system.…”

“…A study comparing open-field versus high tunnel systems, found that high tunnel production resulted in larger fruit, larger leaf area, greater leaves and shoot biomass, and fewer runners (Kadir et al, 2006a). In Kansas, Knewston et al (2012) found high tunnel June-bearing plant production to arrive 5 weeks prior to open-field production.…”

“…High tunnels provide season extension for farmers who grow high value crops, such as strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) (Black et al, 2010). In Kansas, high tunnel strawberry production has begun five weeks prior to open-field production (Kadir et al, 2006a) This system reduces leaf wetness from excess moisture, Botrytis cinerea and pest damage, while increasing the air temperature, to improve marketability (Heidenreich et al, 2007;Santos et al, 2010). High tunnel production of strawberries has potential for early fruit production due to protected crowns during winter months and extension outside the typical production season in…”