Saskatchewan Fruit Growers 2012 Adopt Project. Growth Tray System for Growing Strawberries Inside and Outside Grow Tunnels. Final Report December,2012

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1 Saskatchewan Fruit Growers 2012 Adopt Project Growth Tray System for Growing Strawberries Inside and Outside Grow Tunnels Final Report December,2012 Project # Producer- Murray Gray, Aylsham SK. Start Date- June, January 10, 2013 Contact : Murray Gray Box 35 Aylsham,SK. S0E 0C0 Phone: Objective: The objective of the project did compare Strawberry Production with the Growth Tray System in a Haygrove Grow Tunnel to outside "ground" grown strawberries. Haygrove High tunnels and a raised tray system was used. The project did demonstrate how beneficial it is growing strawberries in a Grow Tunnel environment. Using the Grow tunnel technology other countries have being growing strawberries for years with astounding results. The project did demonstrate a labor saving growing technology. Strawberries were grown in grow trays raised above the ground, waist high in a 28 x200 grow tunnel. This gave the grower more control over the growing environment and ensured more consistent production. SFGA members can witness labor saving costs and will be able to see the benefits of production under Grow Tunnels. The impact of the project was to encourage farmers to successfully diversify their farm operation into strawberry production. Methodology June: the tunnel was prepared for the tray structure, 2 drill stem pipe was purchased and assembled for tray supports. A poly- weed barrier was laid on the tunnel floor for weed control. Still waiting for the trays and supports to arrive from England where logistics had delayed the shipment.

2 Plastic mulch was laid down for the in ground outside grown strawberries and in ground under tunnel strawberries. The planting of these strawberries was also delayed in order to get an accurate comparison for the evaluation strawberry crowns are remaining in cooler. June Day-Neutral strawberries planted in ground 100 Seascape 500 Albion. More Albion were used because of they re resistance to disease Tray system arrives June 16 th. No production was recorded in June Rootstock was weak probably due to lengthy storage, thus contributing to weak plants and slow vigor. Outside ground strawberries grown in black plastic mulch were planted June 17 into mud. The plants flourished and got off to a good start. Ground inside tunnel strawberries also planted on June 17 in black plastic mulch had a slow start due to weak stock, however picked up faster than outside berries. Strawberries in Trays outside also were planted June 24 in black plastic mulch had a good start but slow due to weak stock. Strawberries in Trays inside tunnel were planted June24 in black plastic mulch. The reason it was planted in black is because of the late start and determined that it would be beneficial in the later cold season.

3 July: the summer month was hot and contributed to very good growth outside on both trays and ground berries. The inside tunnel berries got heat stressed and flowers were slow to develop and mature. Strawberry in the trays outside were stressed somewhat because of the black mulch trapping too much heat for the limited substrate in the trays. Water became an issue. The drip tape used was high out put tape as a consequence the water ran through the trays to fast and not enough was absorbed by the soil. Strawberries in trays inside tunnel were also being heat stressed due to the black mulch absorbing too much heat and burning the roots. At times the temperature of the soil was 85c. Watering became an issue with it running through the trays to fast. Some drip tape emitters were sometimes getting plugged. With the water flushing through the trays valuable nutrients were being leached out. Replacement fertilizer had to added to the grow system. (see chart) The middle of the tunnel was particularly heat stressed and plants were weakened and lose occurred.

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5 August: the heat continued and hampered the strawberry production inside the tunnel. Outside berries ground and trays were doing very well; flower production was increasing with flower buds on the plants. Inside tunnel berries on the ground were starting to produce nice clean fruit with considerable monkey fast damage. Albion were more heat tolerant so they were producing more, Seascape had more flower development. Runner pruning was being done Strawberries in trays inside tunnel continued to struggle due to heat. The rows near the outside were doing very well and recovery of the middle rows was happening. Fruit was beginning to develop and runner pruning was being done. Labour was very easy with a senior member using his scooter to prune and pick, no stress on the body like the ground berries inflicted. A treatment for spider mites was used. The area affected most was the middle rows, a dryer and hotter area lead to this damage. Liquid fertilizer was pumped through the irrigation drip tape with the water. A high phosphate fertilizer was used By the end of August the plants were in

6 excellent condition with flower buds and fruit. Once again monkey face damage was high. The unaffected berries were of exceptional high quality, 2% damage. September: the strawberry plants were in excellent condition in all four trials. Strawberries were of wonderful quality and large sizes were being harvested. A damaging frost hit the outside berries early on September 17, ending any hope of further production from the outside plants. Frost damage not reported inside of tunnels on that date however frost did do damage two days later -8c ending the inside ground berries season. However the black mulch in the trays did absorb enough heat to lessen the damage in the tunnel with the trays. Four weeks of below normal temperatures at the end of September into October has lowered the yield. Outside strawberries in trays and ground were finished in mid September, with excellent potential being extinguished. Inside tunnel production was still in full bloom, being hampered by cool wet weather yield is decreased. Berries are still being harvested in trays as of this report. Ground berries are finished.

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8 October: Inside plants grown in the tray are in perfect shape with flowers and berries are being recorded per plant. Due to heavy snow fall warnings the plastic had to be rolled putting an end to the strawberry production for the year. Season ended On October 30, 2012

9 Results Due to the late planting of the strawberries the yield results were disappointing. One month of production was missed and late fall weather is not conducive to ripening fruit. The labour was reduced exponentially when dealing with the raised trays, however significant investment is required but then the structure is in place for future years years. The use of white mulch as a weed barrier and moisture retention is the solution for early plant growth and mid summer temperature reduction. This would be used inside the tunnels. Tunnel production always provided the best fruit quality and less work. A better irrigation system is required. A lower flow drip tape and a water catcher under the trays will correct this problem. A misting system installed to create a

10 cooling effect in mid summer, reducing the temp below 25c for better flowering and fruiting, also to help spider mite damage Using a better quality crown in the spring to help with the vigor of the plant. The overall plant production was excellent but one month late. A field day was held on August 6, The attendance as of the Field Day was 75 producers, 65 producers have toured the site seen the field day took place. Attendee s came from all three Western Provinces and producers are still contacting us on the results. To date 25 inquires still come in from Western Provinces requiring information and results. Among the attendees were three media reporters, The Western Producer, CTV Farm Gate (Bob Simpson) and Rural Roots. The documentary can be seen on Farm Gate a CTV farm program and a very good report came out in the Western Producer reaching all western provinces. The final report will be presented at the SFGA Annual Convention January 11-12, 2013 Conclusions The tray system inside the tunnel was a labour saving structure producing high quality produce. The system is suited for the demographics that presently are in the fruit production industry. The key to maximize yield is to plant early and control the environment. With this system you can easily achieve this using the data and the results from this project. Acknowledgements Forrest Scharf Provincial Specialist Fruit Crops Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Patty Stewart SFGA Administrator Saskatchewan Agriculture Events Calendar Listing