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Title: ADVANCED MATTED-ROW STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Author
item Enns, John
item Hokanson, Stan
item Black, Brent

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/3/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With the impending loss of methyl bromide and other traditionally used chemicals, there is a need to find new methods for pest control in strawberry. Modification to strawberry production systems could provide alternative ways to combat strawberry pests. In eastern North America, strawberries have traditionally been grown in the matted row production system, but recently growers have begun utilizing the annual plastic bed culture system developed by the California industry. One of the distinct advantages of the system is the large degree of weed control provided by the plastic-mulch. It has become clear that both systems provide beneficial characteristics. With this in mind, a system we refer to as the "Advanced Matted-Row Strawberry Production System" was developed to address some of these concerns. Some characters from both matted row and annual plastic culture system have been incorporated into the new system includes a raised-bed with trickle tape, living mulch, and matted row type culture on top of the bed. The living mulch is biodegradable, more economical to establish than the annual plastic system, and not only suppresses weeds, but also fixes nitrogen. Strawberry extension personnel, growers, and the strawberry industry can use the information obtained from this talk and abstract.