ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1049: VII International Strawberry Symposium
THE POSSIBILITIES OF STRAWBERRY GROWING UNDER HIGH TUNNELS IN LATVIA |
| Authors: | I. Kalnina, S. Strautina, L. Silina, V. Laugale |
| Keywords: | strawberry, high tunnels, yield, gross margin |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1049.80 |
| Abstract:
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is the most important berry crop in Latvia. Traditionally in Latvia the length of strawberry season lasts for only one month (mid June to mid July). The average yield of strawberries in Latvia is low because of the risk of spring frosts and risk of rainfall during the harvest period that can damage part of the yield. To minimize these risks, as well as to extend the strawberry season, different types of plastic covers are used. Most of the growers use Agryl (17 g m-2), because is the cheapest way to have earlier yields. Low tunnels are rarely used. Because of high investments of the construction, high tunnels are only used in some farms. To investigate the suitability of FVG high tunnels (Folien Vertrieb GmbH) for strawberry growing in the climatic conditions of Latvia, trials were established in 2008 at Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing. Two strawberry cultivars, ‘Honeoye’ and ‘Polka’, were used. During two years of investigations, the best results were obtained with the cultivar ‘Honeoye’. The harvest under FVG tunnels started two weeks earlier than in the open field. The investments of FVG tunnels were covered after two harvest seasons. | |
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