ISHS Acta Horticulturae 708: V International Strawberry Symposium
STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN SOILLESS SYSTEMS WITH SLOW SAND FILTRATION |
| Authors: | J. Lopez-Medina, A. Peralbo, F. Flores |
| Keywords: | Fragaria × ananassa Duch., closed system, open system, recirculation, tray plant, coconut fibre, Phytophthora cactorum, Verticillium dahliae |
| Abstract:
Strawberry growers have depended on methyl bromide to control both insect pests and fungal diseases in the soil before planting. The potential loss of this major soil fumigant after 2005 has created a need to search for alternative fumigants, or new and modified production systems such as soilless growing systems. Soilless growing systems represent an important alternative to achieve a more sustainable, efficient and environmentally-friendly growing system for strawberry production. In this research over two years, open and closed systems with and without slow sand filtration for disinfestation of the recirculated nutrient solution, were evaluated using coconut fibre as a substrate. Each system was inoculated with Phy-tophthora cactorum or with Verticillium dahliae to determine the incidence and effect of these soil diseases in such systems. The results showed that a closed soilless system with or without slow sand filtration, is viable. | |
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