FRUITS IS IMPOATANT, MAN

Horticultural Crops

Small Fruit

When growing small fruits, growers must provide an environment that reduces the risk of pests and disease while keeping plants healthy. The result will be a good yield of high-quality fruit. Consumers are increasingly concerned about environmental issues such as pesticide use. Fortunately, by using best management practices, the need for pesticides may be reduced.

The goal in small fruit production is high yield of quality fruit while preserving the environment for future production.

Soil Management

When planting small fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, it is important to start planning and making changes at least a year before establishment takes place. Follow these steps:

Soil test - this will provide a reading of soil nutrients, organic levels and pH. Interpret results carefully. Even minor imbalances may cause problems to crops. Adjust soil pH to the following levels: 6.5 for strawberries and raspberries and 4.5 to 5.2 for blueberries.

Prepare site - the year before planting, consider soil fertility, organic matter levels, perennial weeds, drainage, pest levels and soil pH and improve where possible. Examine previous soil test results, earlier crop histories and drainage.

Determine nematode populations - if the site was planted in other small fruits or in orchards, take a soil sample to determine nematode populations. Nematodes damage roots and allow diseases to attack. If counts of root lesion nematodes exceed 500 per kilogram of soil, plants may be stunted and unhealthy. For raspberries, counts of 100 dagger nematodes per kilogram heighten risk of Tomato Mosaic Virus (Crumbly Berry Disease).

Alternatives to chemical fumigation include:

• Allowing soil to lay fallow for at least one full growing season in a weed-free condition. While this reduces pest risk, it may cause erosion and breakdown of soil structure.
  
• Planting cover crops for one year prior to the fruit crop. Use alfalfa, brome hay or another crop that suppresses nematodes.
  

Organic Matter

Increasing organic matter levels in the soil will improve its ability to hold water and nutrients. If a soil test shows organic matter levels are low, consider using cover crops, or adding manure, straw or hay.

Tillage, including cultivation between rows, breaks down organic matter. To reduce loss, reduce the depth and amount of tillage.

In established raspberry and blueberry fields, permanent sod between rows will reduce soil compaction and erosion, improve soil organic matter levels, make harvesting easier and moderate soil temperatures. The recommended grass for sod cover is Creeping Red Fescue and mixes containing it. This species is relatively resistant to equipment traffic, moderately vigorous and becomes dormant in hot summer months when the crop needs available moisture.