ISHS Acta Horticulturae 708: V International Strawberry Symposium
HIGH DENSITY, VERTICAL HYDROPONICS GROWING SYSTEM FOR STRAWBERRIES |
| Authors: | G. Linsley-Noakes, L. Wilken, S. de Villiers |
| Keywords: | Strawberry, hydroponics, growing systems |
| Abstract:
A vertical hydroponics growing system was developed in George, South Africa. George has a similar climate to Oxnard in California, but receives year- round rainfall. The system was developed to maximise the capacity within polyethylene-clad, single and multi-span tunnels to keep the plants and fruit dry, as well as to provide a picker- and spray-friendly growing system. The system is based on a moulded 2.4 l polystyrene pot, which has space for four plants. A PVC pipe provides support and drainage. Each pipe supports nine stacked and lidded pots, providing 36 planting sites. Each column is connected to a drain at the base and a support wire at the top. Columns are spaced in rows 1.0 m apart and 0.7 to 1.0 m in the row, to give plant densities of 36 to 50 plants m-2. Plants are fertigated using 2.2 l h-1 button drippers with a four-way manifold. Arrow drippers at the ends of the spaghetti tube ensure equal flow to the four chambers, and are used to anchor the spaghetti tube above the coconut coir medium to prevent penetration by roots. In the course of the 2003 season, the Israeli strawberry varieties ‘Tamar’, ‘Buba’, ‘Yael’ and ‘Malah’, and University of California varieties ‘Camarosa’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Gaviota’ and ‘Diamante’, were compared. Of the Israeli varieties only ‘Tamar’ produced the required yield and quality, but this variety is very susceptible to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis). The Californian varieties performed well in this system and tended to be more vigorous than ‘Tamar’. The lower plant density of 36 plants m-1 is recommended for these varieties. Disease tolerance of the Californian varieties under the high humidity within tunnels was also superior to the Israeli varieties. | |
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