STRAWBERRY

INTRODUCTION

  The cultivated strawberry belongs to the genus Fragaria of the family Rosaceae.
Although numerous species are under this genus, only few, and mostly the F.
Chiloensis, F. Virginia and F. vesca have been widely used in breeding work that
developed into the present commercial cultivated cultivars.
 
Strawberry is successfully grown in Benguet because of the cool climate.
Continuous heavy rains however destroy the flowers and fruits.
 
The demand for strawberry is high among tourists and processing factories. The
demand is at its peak during Christmas and summer. Shortage of strawberry often
occurs during the typhoon months when production is practically nil. Also during
Christmas and summer when demand is at its peak. Strawberries maybe processed into
jams, jellies and wines. The strawberry fruit contains important nutrients.
 
Low productivity of strawberry is due to limited technical information,
unavailability of appropriate cultivars, pest and diseases, and inadequate low
temperature. The absence of chilling periods, i.e., air temperature below the threshold
to break dormancy in tropical areas may be one of the yield-limiting factors in
strawberry production.
 
BOTANY
 
The cultivated strawberry, Fragaria X ananasa Duch., is octoploid (2n-8x =56) and
is derived from crosses between the American Octoploids F. Chiloensis and F. Virginiana.
The plant is a perennial herb with short, woody stems or stocks with rosette leaves. The
berry is a false fruit, an enlarged fleshy receptacle, growth of which is stimulated by the
development of the true fruits (achenes).
 
USES
 
Much of the fruit is eaten fresh and the remainder is processed for canning, jams
and preserves, for freezing and for flavoring drinks and confectionery.
 
CLIMATE
 
The strawberry is a product for highland agriculture, requiring cool
temperatures (14o – 23oC) for it to flower. In general, however, no flower bud formation
will occur if day/night temperatures are greater than 26oC .
 
SOIL
 
Strawberry thrives best in well-drained clay loam and loamy soils with pH
ranging from 5.5 to 6.5.
 
CULTIVARS

The cultivated strawberries are classified into type according to their responses:
 
a). June bearing - are facultative short day plants. Flower bud initiation requires
photoperiods shorter than the critical period, or that the dark period is greater than 14
hours. This response is considered facultative because other environmental factors can
override this photoperiod requirement.
Examples: ‘Tioga’, ‘Haronoka’, ‘Toyonoka’, ‘Sweet Charlie’, ‘Guardian’, ‘Aliso’,
‘Florida’
 
b). Ever bearing - flowering is promoted by long photoperiods. Examples: ‘Fort
Laramie’, ‘Ozark Beauty’
 
c). Day Neutral - flower buds can be initiated in short or long days and inititation tends
to occur in six - week cycles.
Examples: ’Hecker’, ’Aptos’, ’Fern’, ’Tristar’

PROPAGATION
 
Planting materials are derived from “runners”.
 
BEDDING THE PLANTING MATERIAL
 
Bedding refers to the transfer of runners from last planting season to nursery
beds. This is done to establish a well developed crown and root system prior to
transplanting.
 
Seedbed Transplant. Raised seedbeds are prepared in an appropriate area– good
soil, close to water source, and other accessibilities. Planting materials should be
bedded one to two months before planting, spaced at 8 cm apart.

Container and Speedling trays. Containers to use could be peat pots or

speedling trays. They are kept under nursery or greenhouse conditions. Media used in
these containers may be prepared or bought as a commercial growing mix.
 
FLOWER BUD INITIATION
 
Several techniques have been developed to accelerate flower and bud initiation
in strawberry:
 a) High elevation nursery. Runners are grown in high altitude during summer.
b) Low night temperature/short day treatment. The ideal temperature setting for
flower bud initiation is between 120 and 150 C and the required dark period
treatment is greater than 14 hours. The required days of treatment depends on
the cultivar, however, the treatment is not shorter than 21 days.
 
LAND PREPARATION
 
Soil is prepared to good tilt by hoeing 2-3 times before planting depending upon
the type of operation, soil texture and the nature of weeds. Raised beds are prepared at
16-20 cm high and about 1.5 meters wide,
 
TIME OF PLANTING

Planting is done from June to July on rainfed hillsides and August to September
on valleys.
 
PLANTING
 
Runners which are nematode –free, plump, disease-free, vigorous appearance
with at least 4 - 6 healthy leaves are planted in raised beds spaced at 25 cm apart.
Runners should be planted facing the outside part of the bed to have a uniform side of
fruit bearing, and to keep the berries clean, and also to protect developing fruits from
strong sunlight intensity.

Matted row system. The matted row system works best with June bearing
strawberries. You'll need an area about eight feet wide and 30 feet long to accommodate
30 plants. . Keep rows to a width of 18 to 24 inches.

Hill system. This system is used for day neutral or everbearing cultivars and
works well in raised beds. Make rows about 8 inches high and 26 inches wide. Mother
plants are planted 12 inches apart, and staggered double rows are preferred. Leave an
aisle between the rows of about 2 feet wide.
 
FERTILIZER APPLICATION
 
The kind, amount and method of application would depend on the fertility level
of the soil as well as soil texture, structure and pH. Soil analysis is therefore
recommended. Under average conditions, the ideal recommendation is 140-140-140 kg/
of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Half of the N and all of P and K drilled or
disk-in at land preparation. The other N will be side-dressed about 4 weeks later.
 
IRRIGATION
 
The moisture should be kept at slightly below field capacity. Water may be done
in several ways: by gravity (furrow), sprinkler (by hand, overhead or microspray) and
trickle/ drip irrigation. Strawberries need a steady supply of water. Water the plants
when there is less than an inch of rainfall in a week. One good soaking a week should
be sufficient in most cases. Always water early in the day so that foliage has a chance to
dry before nightfall. This will help prevent leaf diseases.
 
MULCHING
 
Because optimum fruit, root, and plant development occurs at relatively cool soil
temperatures, mulch is recommend to help keep the soil temperatures down.
Additionally, mulch will help to preserve soil moisture, control weeds and keep fruit
clean.
 WEEDING
Strawberries suffer if there is competition, so keep weeds out of the beds. Hand
weeding is best because the roots are shallow. If you use a hoe or other cultivation tool,
take care not to damage the roots of the plants.
 
DORMANCY
Vegetative growth of most strawberry plants decreases when the daylength
shortens and temperature drops. This dormant habit is characterized by compact
growth due to short petiole, small leaf area; continue flower initiation, short flower
trusses, production of branched crown and increasing root dry weight. Once relative
dormancy has started in most strawberry cultivars, it can be overcome by a period of
chilling and long days. In regions with wild winters or no winters, the chilling
requirements may not be fully met, resulting in suppressed vegetative growth.
HARVESTING

Strawberry is ready for harvest when the fruit surface is reddish or half ripe. It is
best to harvest at the later part of the day at about 3-5 in the afternoon. Picking is done
by holding the fruit at its peduncle and cutting it when the thumb nail, leaving the frit
with 0.5—1.0 cm peduncle. Fruit harvesting should be done on every 2 days if sold as
fresh commodity and 2-3 days, if intended for processing.
 
Picking Pointers

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail
and pull with a slight twisting motion.
2. With the stem broken about ½ inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm
of your hand.
3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3-4 berries.
 4. Carefully place, don’t throw the fruit into your containers. Do not overfill your
containers or try to pack down the berries.
 
YIELD
 
The average yield is twenty tons per hectare. Discarded berries are for
processing.
 
POST HARVEST HANDLING
 
The berries in styrofoam trays are carried and transported to the packing house
where sorting, grading and packing are made. The berries should first to be cooled - off
at least 1 hour in cols rooms (3-80C) before sorting, grading and packing. Strawberries
look better and keep longer when they are picked and handled correctly. Because they
are a very tender fruit, they will bruise and discolor any time they are squeezed; so
handle them gently.

INSECT PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL

1. Slugs

Slugs are slimy and have bodies that are flexible in shape. They move by gliding
along on a muscular "foot." This muscle constantly secretes mucus, which later dries to
form the silvery slime trail that signals the presence of these pests. They are sensitive to
dryness, and will seek out moisture, making the humid environment.

2. Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae (Koch)

The two-spotted spider mite feeds on the undersurface of strawberry leaves,

causing a curling and discoloration of the leaves. Attacked foliage is covered with fine
webbing. Eggs are laid on the undersurface, usually along the veins. There are many
crop and weed hosts of this mite. Damage is more severe in dry weather and during the
dry months of late summer. The complete cycle may only take 10 to 30 days, depending
upon temperature under the mulch of strawberries attractive to them.

 Control: Close monitoring their entrance and immediately spray them with acaricide
like agrimek, plictran. Acaricides are effective preventive measures.
 
3. Aphids
 
Two kinds of aphids attack strawberries. The small, pale yellowish-green
strawberry aphids and other species feed on the young foliage, stems, and crown of the
plants. Aphids are important as carriers of diseases, especially viruses.
 
Control: It is mainly being controlled by contact or systemic insecticides. Close
monitoring and immediate spray prevent and control the aphids.
 
 4. Cutworms
 
Cutworms, Agotis ipsilon, and other types of worms can occasionally be present
in strawberries.
 
Control: Plastic mulching lessens the population and damage of cutworms.
Pyrethroid insecticides control cutworm.
 
5. Other Worms
 
Two species of worms can cause early losses in strawberry, Spodoptera frugiperda
eridania. These worms are the immature stage of moths. Larvae feed on young
strawberry leaflets and buds as they develop.
 
Control: Like cutworms, the other worms attacking the leaves, flowers and fruits
are also controlled by spraying contact insecticides like pyrethroids.
 
 DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL
 
1. Fungal leaf spots
 
There are several fungal leaf spots affecting strawberry. These fungal diseases
have similar life cycles. They do not generally cause severe damage, but many weaken
plants enough to cause problems. Yield is not usually affected.
 
These diseases can affect plants from the time the first leaves are unfolding until
dormancy. All are favored by warm, moist weather.
 
2. Angular leaf spot
 
This is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae. This bacterium infects
only strawberries. The disease causes leaf, petiole and calyx spots but has been
reported to occasionally kill plants. It is favored by wet, cool (day temperature of 65 0F,
and night temperature of 350F) weather.

3. Powdery mildew
 
Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease of strawberry, caused by Sphaerotheca
macularis. It occurs worldwide, wherever strawberries are grown. It can affect leaves,
flowers, and fruit. This disease is favored by dry weather, 58 o to 68o F. If infection
happens late in the season, it does not usually result in lower yields. Flower and fruit
infection can cause severe losses. It is significant on only a few highly susceptible
varieties.
 
4. Virus Diseases
 
Several virus diseases affect strawberry plants, such as strawberry crinkle virus.
However, at present their occurrence is still very limited. Use healthy plant material
and control of insect vectors such as aphids are recommended to prevent its spread.
 
Other means of disease control:
 
The use of resistant cultivars, good crop rotation practices and safe use of
registered pesticides/fungicides should be observed.
 
 
STRAWBERRY COST OF PRODUCTION

Manday
A. Variable Cost Value (P)
(285/day)
1. Land Preparation    
a. Cleaning of weeds (1st plowing) 40 11,400.00
b. Levelling, making furrows & 44 12,540.00
fixing plot beds    
Sub-Total   23,940.00
     
2. Planting    
a. Application of fertilizer & mixing 20 5,700.00
b. Planting 30 8,550.00
Sub-Total   14,250.00
     
3. Irrigation 36 36,480.00
4. 1st weeding (1 mo. after planting) 75 21,375.00
5. Application of fertilizer 2 mos. 20 5,700.00
after planting    
6. Mulching (plastic mulch) 12 3,420.00
7. 2nd weeding 50 14,250.00
8. 3rd weeding 35 9,975.00
9. 4th weeding & pruning 45 12,825.00
10. 5th weeding & pruning 45 12,825.00
11. Spraying 24 6,840.00
12. Harvesting/packing 1200 342,000.00
Sub-Total   465,690.00
Total Labor Cost   503,880.00
B. Farm Supplies

Unit Price Total Value

Items/Quantity
(P) (P)
1. Planting materials/76,500 plts./ha. 2.00 153,000.00
2. Fertilizer  
a. T-14/20 bags 1,200.00 24,000.00
b. Muriate of Potash/3 bags 1,100.00 3,300.00
c. Urea/4 bags 1,100.00 4,400.00
d. Chicken dung /4 tons 135.00/bag 33,750.00
Sub-Total   218,450.00
3. Agricultural Chemicals    
a. En Spray/10 li 400.00/li 4,000.00
b. Decis/6 li 1,200.00 7,200.00
c. Daconil/15 kgs. 950.00 6,750.00
4. Mulch 1.2 x 100 m    
Black plastic/10 rolls 2,703.00 7,030.00
5. Bamboo baskets/33 pcs. 120.00 3,960.00
6. Picking bamboo baskets/20 pcs. 40.00 800.00
7. Old newspaper/10 kgs. 10.00/kl 100.00

Sub-Total   49,840.00

C. Farm Tools & Equipment Amount

1. Shovels/2 pcs. @ 450.00/pc. (3 yrs. life span) 300.00
2. Grabhoes/4 pcs. @330.00/pc.(2 yrs. life span) 660.00
3. Sickles/4 pcs. @180.00/pc. (1 yr. life span) 180.00
4. Cultivators/4 pcs. @180.00/pc. (2 yrs. life span) 360.00
5. Watering can/4 pairs @300.00 (2 yrs. life span) 600.00
6. Water pump/1 unit @15,000.00 (5 yrs. life span) 3,000.00
Total Depreciation Cost 6,700.00

D. Land rent at 10/sq.m 100,000.00

Total Expenses 878,870.00

Expected Gross Income 22,000 kgs.

Volume
Grade (kgs) Price/kl Total Volume
Assorted: 22,000 50.00 ,100,000.00
22,000 60.00 ,320,000.00
22,000 70.00 ,540,000.00
22,000 80.00 ,760,000.00
Total Expenses : 878,870.00
Expected Gross Income @ 22 tons @50.00 : 1,100,000.00
Less Total Expenses : 879,720.00
Net Income : 220,280.00