2018 ASHS Annual Conference

The strawberry industry in Oregon has historically focused on the production of June-bearing cultivars primarily sold for processing, a market which has continued to decline over time. In recent years, fruit grown for fresh consumption has increased in acreage and market share. Fresh market production, particularly for organic growers, has the potential to offer farmers greater profits due to increased price premiums and an extended harvest season. Currently, the supply of fresh organic strawberries produced in Oregon is not meeting the consumer demand for a locally grown crop. In addition, there is a need for region-specific organic production research-based guidelines for fresh market, day-neutral strawberries. Day-neutral cultivars are the optimal choice for fresh market because their fruit production relies on temperature rather than day-length, allowing plants to be harvested earlier. Strawberries grown from containerized transplants rather than bare-root plants have better field establishment with higher plant survival and earlier yields, but information is needed on best practices for organically approved on-farm production of transplants. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal size of transplant container for ease of planting and reduced production costs, without affecting plant development in an organic strawberry production system. ‘Albion’ strawberries were grown in two container sizes (234 cm³ and 614 cm³) and with organically approved planting media (Peat-moss plus forest product with fertilizer). Bare-root strawberries were planted into containers in late February and kept in a greenhouse at Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR). Plants were watered at planting and once per week thereafter. Plants are measured every week for leaf development and mortality. Albion leaf number increase on average 1.8 and 1.6 times per week from planting for the larger size cells and 1.6 and 1.4 times for the smaller size cells per week, respectively. Total leaf area was 7 percent greater on average for plants grown in larger size cells. Plant mortality has been minimal (less than 2 percent) for both cell sizes. Media, supplies used and labor costs for each container size were compared. Total transplant production cost for a one-acre field (24" beds with 2 rows with plants spaced 12" apart) is 1.8 times greater for larger size cell transplants ($3,800) than for the smaller size cells ($2,100). Transplants from the two container sizes will be grown in a certified organic field to determine ease and speed of planting and cost benefits for extended season production.