Reduction and recycling of inputs and limitation of environmental impact.Optimization of labor and reduction of effort (during pruning and harvesting) with cultivation gutters at workers’ height.Use of passive energy such as the sun (greenhouse effect) and natural ventilation.Superior yield (crop density, up to 15 kg / m2) and quality (insect and disease control + accurate climate management).Possibility to produce without pesticides, thanks to the protection of nets and biological integrated control in the greenhouse (better efficiency).Tiptree (video in English)Īdvantages of growing strawberries in a greenhouseīelow is a summary of the advantages of producing strawberries in greenhouses compared to conventional open field cultivation: Source: Meteor Systems (video in English) – Lifting suspended gutter system Source: Aopn fraise (video in French) – Swinging suspended gutter system We will focus on this section on the different suspended gutter systems which can be install in a modern greenhouses to grow soilless strawberry year-round. Standard irrigation: 100 mL (3,38 floz) /irrigation.2 drippers / bag → 2 L (0,53 gal) / hour / drip.6 to 8 plants / bag of 8 L (or 2,1 gal)→ 1 to 1.25 L (0,26 to 0,33 gal) of substrate / bag.If we take as an example a system with fixed suspended gutter spaced 1.14 m (3'8") apart : In order to reach the new light intensity targets, part of the of growers "new generation" are also using LED (spectrum specific) to be able to have complementary light helping during the vegetative phase and floral induction. Those light levels become closer to more demanding crops like tomatoes and peppers. More and more strawberry growers are talking about an average light intensity of 200 µmol/m-2/s-1 (instead of 160-180 µmol/m-2/s-1). Indeed, the change of photoperiod will be a signal for the plant to start producing flowers. Light is essential for the cultivation of strawberries: especially for the vegetative phase and the initiation of flowering (floral induction). Passive and active ventilation as well as fogging will ensure optimal conditions in the greenhouse controlling the humidity levels. However, during the day the RH must be maintained at about 70-75% to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases such as botrytis or insects and allow the plant to grow (plant transpiration during photosynthesis). The relative humidity must be high (> 90%) at certain stages of cultivation such as he vegetative phase especially at night to avoid marginal necrosis (browning on the edges). Relative humidity (RH) management plays a major role in the production of strawberries in greenhouses. In general, the temperature is increased from 8☌ (46☏) and 16☌ (61☏) over a period of about four weeks in order to develop a minimum leaf mass before stimulating a flowering.Īt the time of flowering, the temperature must be maintained between 16☌ (61☏) and 20☌ (68☏) to ensure a good viability of the pollen keeping a level of humidity favorable to pollination.Īfter the fruits appear, the temperatures must be lowered around 15☌ (59☏) to ensure a slow and uniform maturation of the fruits. In a greenhouse, one of the important principles is to have a gradual increase in temperature when dormancy is lifted. In fact, a too high temperature (> 25 ☌ or 77☏), especially at night, will have a major influence on the emergence of the flowers and the ripening of the fruit. In order to ensure a good balance between the vegetative phase and the production of fruits, it is necessary to be able to manage the temperature between 10☌ (50☏) and 22☌ (72☏) in the growing area. The greenhouse can be operated in optimal conditions even during the winter. Indeed, the strawberry plants will be able to bear fruit all year long. To grow strawberries in greenhouses it is important to have an efficient heating system. In this section, we will see some general data extracted various scientific publications. The climate conditions in the greenhouse depend on the types and varieties of strawberries. If the growing conditions are optimal a single plant can produce between 30 and 50 runners, depending on the vigor and qualities of the variety. These are aerial stems that grow from the “mother” plant and take root at the nodes to give new plants. The strawberry plant reproduces naturally by runners (or stolons). The achenes are actually the “real” fruits botanically speaking. Each strawberry is produced from a single white flower bearing many stamens.
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