RECENT ADVANCES IN STRAWBERRY PLUG TRANSPLANT TECHNOLOGY

Since the early nineties there has been an evolution towards strawberry plant nursery on substrate culture.
Cuttings are put in peatfilled cells in special designed plastic or polystyrene trays.
These plugplants can be raised during about 6 weeks, From half of July until end of August to be planted outdoors in the production field as an alternative to fresh bare rooted plants.
This system is since more than 25 years popular in central Europe.

More recently cuttings are grown in larger cells for a longer period, from July onwards until the end of November to be cold stored at -1,5°C. These cold stored trayplants are used for a retarded culture in greenhouses and plastic tunnels.
The so-called module plants are established on substrate the following July and August to give a production from September until January.
This system is gaining popularity in Belgium and the Netherlands the last decade and replacing traditional waiting bed and graded A+ plants.
The concept of container-grown plants offers advantages to the classical problems of traditional soil grown strawberry plants.

Module plants can be raised and lifted independently from soil type and location.
Plant storability and establishment is improved in comparisment to soil grown bare rooted plants.
Plant nutrition is more under control and the risk of infection by root diseases is reduced to a minimum.

XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 3: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications, Disease, Pest Control and Integrated Pest Strategies

F. Lieten

strawberry, transplants

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.513.45