High Tunnel Strawberry Cropping Systems Research In West Virginia

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a popular small fruit crop for high tunnel production in many regions of the United States.  High tunnels are unheated passive-solar greenhouse structures which are used to protect the growing crop from environmental stresses and significantly extend the growing season.  No information is available which examines high tunnel production of strawberry in the central Appalachian region.  Several cultivars of June-bearing and day-neutral strawberry cultivars were established within high tunnels in north-central and southeast West Virginia to evaluate winter hardiness, pest spectra, yield and postharvest quality from 2007-2009.  Pests were managed using both beneficial insects and soft pesticides.  Early plugging of runners from June-bearing cultivars was compared with standard, commercial plugs and some plants were extended for a second year of production. The high tunnel structure maintained a significantly greater average daily temperature through the growing season which allowed growth of the plants and flower bud initiation through late fall.  Pests were kept below thresholds by using IPM practices within the high tunnel. ‘Chandler’ produced more branch crowns and the highest yield per plant and exhibited excellent winter hardiness.  Marketable yields ranged from 363 g to 500 g per plant.