Day-neutral strawberry production for season extension in the midsouth

Abstract

Until recent years, there have been few attempts in the midsouth to evaluate alternative types of strawberries (e.g., day-neutrals); alternative cultural systems (e.g., tunnel culture); or specific products (e.g., rowcovers) that could be used for either season extension and/or off-season production. In the early 2000s, research was undertaken to evaluate day-neutral (DN) strawberry production in higher elevations in western North Carolina for harvest in the summer and fall. The effect of DN cultivar, plastic mulch color, planting dates, and plant types was studied in at the Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs, NC (elevation 914 m) over several seasons. In the 2004 season, the DN 'Everest' had yields of nearly 1 kg/plant on white plastic mulch using plugs transplanted in late Sept. 2003. However, ≈95% of 'Everest's' production occurred in July and August, when U.S. strawberry prices to growers in wholesale fresh markets have averaged $1.32 and $1.68 kg, respectively (2001 to 2005). Assuming a production level of ≈1 kg/plant, market prices above $2.48 kg (breakeven cost) will be needed to make day-neutral strawberry production in the southern Appalachians a profitable venture. We observed peak periods of heavy production in midsummer and more research is needed to identify cultural strategies with plastic mulches, plant types, and possibly rowcovers to increase fall fruit volumes.