Abstract
The occurrence of diseases and its influence on strawberry yield in a greenhouse as well as its association with water management are still not well known. So, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different water levels and soil mulches on strawberry plant health and yield in a greenhouse. The experiment was carried out at Atibaia, State of São Paulo, Brazil, from April to December 1995. The experimental design was a 2 × 3 factorial, in randomized blocks, with five replications, and consisted of two soil mulches and three water levels. The soil mulches consisted of clear or black plastic. Trickle irrigation was applied whenever the soil water potential reached -10, -35 and -70 kPa at a depth of ten centimeters. Cultivar Campinas IAC 2712 was used. Plants grown at a soil water potential of -10 and -35 kPa, with clear plastic mulch provided the best yields. A linear function fitted well considering total yield data and irrigation depths. The equation was y = -233.54 + 1.56x (R² = 0.78). The irrigation level of -70 kPa and the use of black plastic favored a greater incidence of soil-borne diseases late in the harvest season.
Highlights
The study of the influence of cultivation techniques in the strawberry crop has been an important matter in the last decades
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different water levels and soil mulches on strawberry plant health and yield in a greenhouse
Plants grown at a soil water potential of -10 and -35 kPa, with clear plastic mulch provided the best yields
Summary
The study of the influence of cultivation techniques in the strawberry crop has been an important matter in the last decades. Soil disinfestation or solarization has been used successfully (Voth & Bringhurst, 1990; Hartz et al, 1993; Himelrick et al, 1993), resulting in good control of weeds and some pathogens (Maas, 1998; Sugimura et al, 2001; Shalaby & Mohamed, 2005), with consequent strawberry yield increases (Hartz et al, 1993; Larson & Shaw, 1995; Umang & Harender, 2004). In Brazil, sprinkler irrigation is used in most of the area cultivated with strawberries. This technique, as well as rainfall and dew, provides favor-. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.), v.64, n.6, p.575-581, November/December 2007
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call