Under Control - 2019 - 8

Looking for a Seasonal CEA Crop?
Consider Strawberries
Greenhouse strawberries have the potential to become a profitable seasonal
crop during those times of year when the quality and availability of fieldgrown
crops is inconsistent.
By David Kuack
The interest in greenhouse strawberries has been increasing
over the last few years. Part of this has to do with the demand
for year-round production of the crop. The variability in
quality and availability of field-produced strawberries due to
disease outbreaks and weather-related issues has increased
interest in controlled environment production. This year's
early-season strawberry harvests in California and Florida
were delayed by cool temperatures and/or rainy weather.
Another reason for the appeal of greenhouse strawberries
is the ability to supply a consistent locally-produced crop in
most parts of the country during the time of year when field
production is not possible.
" Strawberries are perfectly capable of growing year round in
a controlled environment, " says Jonathan Allred, Ph.D. student
at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. " But in terms of
being financially competitive, controlled-environment growers
would be doing off-season production, which would be a late
fall to early spring production season. Growing over the winter
and being able to produce locally is when the crops are going
to be most in demand.
" In general, greenhouse strawberry production is difficult
financially even under the best growing conditions. Like any
other value-added crop, greenhouse strawberry growers are
going to have to establish the right market. Most greenhouse
growers cannot expect to be competing in terms of volume
and sales with field-produced product. They won't be able to
get the prices they need to be profitable. Greenhouse growers
have to add some sort of value-added aspect whether that
is locally-grown, fresher or higher sugar content than fieldgrown
strawberries. "
8
Three plants each of 'Albion' and 'Cabrillo' strawberry plants were
grown in 11-liter buckets filled with a peat:perlite:coir substrate mix
and watered using drip irrigation.
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Allred, Cornell University.
Allred says strawberry producers want to be able to
produce the highest quality strawberries every single day
of the year to supply consumers. This is achievable with
greenhouse production.
" Driscoll's is one of the largest berry producers interested
in doing greenhouse strawberry production, " he says. " I
expect most of the large-scale field producers are interested in
greenhouse strawberry production and have considered it as a
potential option. "
IDENTIFYING CULTIVARS FOR CEA PRODUCTION
Increased production of controlled-environment
strawberries has been ongoing for many years outside the U.S.,
including the Netherlands, Japan and Canada.
" There has been an increasing interest in growing greenhouse
strawberries in the U.S., " Allred said. " However, there really
UNDER CONTROL: TIPS FOR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT GROWING * 2019
Under Control - 2019

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