Strawberry Research in California & Florida

There are many research opportunities for strawberry in California and Florida beginning before planting, through crop development, and at crop termination. Soil fumigation / solarization, in-season pest control such as Botrytis, thrips and spider mites, fertilizer management, and bio-stimulants are all commonly studied at our research farms in the field, laboratory, and greenhouse.
Common Pathology Test Systems
Anthracnose, Botrytis, Fusarium, Macrophomina (Charcoal Rot), Neopestalotiopsis, Verticillium Wilt

Common Arthropod Species
Aphids, Lygus bug, Spider Mites, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Thrips, numerous beneficial species for product safety testing

Nematode Studies
Sting Nematode - a serious pest for Florida strawberry production

Agronomy Studies
Biostimulant Efficacy, Fertilizer Optimization, PGR Effects, Soil Amendments., Frost Protection, Water/Irrigation Management
Strawberry Timelines*
CALIFORNIA
California Fall Planting
  • October - Fumigate and Prepare Planting Beds
  • Early November - Plant, vegetative growth
  • March - Flowering / Botrytis and Powdery Mildew trials can be initiated
  • April through July - Plants produce fruit for 4-5 months
  • August - Crop Termination
California Summer Planting
  • May - Fumigate and Prepare Planting Beds
  • June - Plant, vegetative growth
  • July - Flowering and fruiting start
  • August through December - Plants produce fruit for 4-5 months
  • December - Crop Termination

FLORIDA
  • September - Fumigate and Prepare Planting Beds
  • Early October - Plant
  • November - Early flowering / fruiting.  Botrytis trials can be started
  • March - Crop Termination

*General timings subject to current seasonal weather conditions

Soil Solarization for Central Florida Strawberry

The team at Florida Ag Research is dedicated to advancing sustainable farming practices. Our latest work focuses on Soil Solarization, an innovative soil-borne pest management technique that provides a natural alternative to traditional soil fumigation. Solar energy is used to heat soil to eliminate  microbial pathogens, nematodes and weeds. Post-Solarization, soil can be recolonized with beneficial microbial species to create the ideal food web for crop development.
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