Articles
PRODUCTION OF EARLY STRAWBERRIES UNDER INSOLATED TUNNELS IN BULGARIA
The Southern regions of Bulgaria, like the transition zone of Mediterranean climate, are characterized by temperatures, the minimum of which ranges from 0°C to 15°C and snow-falls scarce and short.
Temperatures below zero are to be expected till mid-March.
In order to try several experiments, large tunnels have been used: they were from 4 to 6 m wide, from 1.80 to 2 m high and from 40 to 45 m long; no surplus heating was provided.
The following varieties have been tested: Surprise des Halles, Gorella, Pocahontas, Cambridge Favourite and Senga Sengana, the crop density was 120 plants per are (15 x 30 x 60 cm).
Under such conditions, the Surprise des Halles grows ripe by the beginning of April.
One tenth of the production of this variety is sold before April 15th and nine tenths before May 5th.
The first year yield may reach up to 18 metric tons/ha.
The Gorella variety ripenes about 5 days later than the Surprise des Halles.
The total yields may reach up to 23 metric tons/ha and it meets with a ready market.
The highest yield is found with the Pocahontas variety (6 to 28 metric tons/ha) but it becomes ripe one week later.
As a conclusion, it may be said that the production of early strawberries in the Southern regions of Bulgaria will return profit if the culture is made under huge tunnels, without any extra heating, and if early varieties are chosen.