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2013 ASHS Annual Conference

15914:
Biological Feasibility of High Tunnel Production of Strawberries in Florida

Tuesday, July 23, 2013: 2:00 PM
Desert Salon 4-6 (Desert Springs J.W Marriott Resort )
Bielinski M. Santos, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, University of Florida, GCREC, Wimauma, FL
Teresa Salame-Donoso, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
Protected culture of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) has increased steadily in Florida in the last few years. The cropis harvested during the winter months when preferential prices are available to growers. High tunnels are the preferred protected culture structure due to their relatively lower price than greenhouses and their effectiveness on freeze protection. A five-year study revealed that marketable fruit weight increased by an average of 51% in 15 validations when strawberry were produced inside high tunnels in comparison with yields in the open fields. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.81) between the number of nights with cold weather (≤ 2 °C) requiring freeze protection versus the increase on marketable fruit weight in all cases.
See more of: Workshop: Plasticulture Technologies for Expanding the Season and Improving the Sustainability of Eastern U.S. Strawberry Production
See more of: Workshop