The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

To determine the feasibility of off-season strawberry production under high tunnels, a cultivar trial was established in Fayetteville and Hope, Ark. (northwest and southwest region, respectively).  In September, 2010, at Fayetteville, two cultivars ‘Albion’ and ‘Strawberry Festival,’ were planted on two planting dates. In 2011, ‘Elyana’ and ‘Radiance’ were added to this trail.  At Hope (2011 only) trial included ‘Albion,’ ‘Strawberry Festival,’ ‘Elyana,’ ‘Camino Real,’ and ‘Radiance.’  Data collected at both locations included plant survival, crown number, total and marketable yield, average berry weight, and pest susceptibility.  In Fayetteville, for both years, fruit harvest began at the end of November and in Hope, the harvest began at the end of October.  Production continued throughout the winter at both locations. Yields in Fayetteville were relatively low.  The average winter harvest yield per cultivar ranged from approximately than 600 lbs/A to 1,500 lbs/A the first year and from 800 lbs/A to 1800 lbs/A the second year.  In Hope, the average yields ranged from 1,800 lbs/A to 3,300 lbs/A.  In Fayetteville, ‘Albion had the highest yields both years, with significant differences between it and the other cultivars.  In Hope, Albion had lower yields than all cultivars except ‘Elyana’ though the difference was only significant with ‘Radiance.’   ‘Radiance’ had significantly higher yields than all other cultivars in Hope.  In all cases, earlier planting dates yielded higher than the later planting date. ‘Strawberry Festival’ did not have the highest yields, however it was rated the best performer at both locations because of its lower pest suceptibility and consistent production. Although ‘Radiance’ had the highest yields in Hope, and ‘Albion’ had the highest yields in Fayetteville, they both had significant pest problems. We conclude that winter yields in southern Arkansas are sufficiently high to recommend this production system for commercial production.