Water Use for Establishment, Growth and Yields of Florida Strawberries In High-Tunnels

The predominant production system for strawberry in Florida uses fumigated and polyethylene-mulched beds with drip fertigation in open fields. However, there is the necessity of exploring alternative production systems to improve sustainability and economic returns. High tunnels offer an opportunity to improve water use for plant establishment, freeze protection and growth during the winter production season. In open fields, strawberry transplants with bare roots are established with 10 to 14 days of sprinkler irrigation for 8 to 10 hours per day. This practice seeks to prevent crown dehydration and to promote new root and shoot formation. Rapid urbanization and encroachment into agricultural lands along with efforts leading to improve water utilization and reduce nutrient leaching are the main reasons for exploring alternative strawberry establishment practices. Studies were conducted in high tunnels to determine the effects of: a) crop protectants on strawberry establishment, b) diverse irrigation programs for strawberry production, and c) low temperatures and sprinkler irrigation for freeze protection of strawberry cultivars. Preliminary results indicated that using crop protectants based on calcium carbonate reduced the amount of water needed for establishment from 10 to 6 days without affecting yields and quality in comparison with non-treated plots. On the other hand, water loss due to evaporation was about 20% lower inside the tunnels, due to lower air and soil temperatures especially in October and November of each year, resulting in lower water volumes required for crop production in comparison with open fields. After three consecutive years of high tunnel research, sprinkler irrigation for freeze protection was not necessary, providing inside temperatures between 6 to 10^oC higher than in open fields, and yields during the following six harvests following a freeze between 45% to 200% higher than in open fields.