Testing of strawberry-varieties (with/without biodegradable mulch film) for organic cultivation

Summary

Different strawberry varieties, available from organic propagation at that time were, planted
in August 2004 and proofed about their suitability for organic cultivation, each variety was
tested with and without biodegradable mulch film. Within the early ripening strawberry
varieties ‘Clery’ had a middle yield and was susceptible for infections with leaf spot, losses
of plants by Verticillium were seldom. This variety should be planted early to reach enough
vigor in autumn. ‘Clery’ has an interesting potential in the phase of higher prices at the
beginning strawberry season. ‘Darselect’ ripened shortly before ‘Elsanta’, the yield was
lower, but the fruit-size bigger, so the picking could be done more quickly. ‘Elsanta’
showed in this trial under organic conditions not too bad results, but on this area no
strawberries had been cultivated for many years before, so the potential of soil-borne
diseases was only low to middle.
In the group of middle ripening varieties ‘Korona’ suffered under the hot weather in June
2006 and reacted with heavy wilting symptoms, first of all caused by Verticillium, and with
more leathery and small fruits. ‘Florence’ and ‘Peco’ had often sunburst (by intensive
sunbeams). ‘St. Pierre’ had a vigor plant, middle yield and less sunburst, but should be
picked well ripened. The late variety ‘Yamaska’ was robust, but tasted only middle good.
The biodegradable mulch film increased in the first year the yield of the early ripening
varieties, in the second year with a hot summer this effect disappeared. Partly snails used
the mulch film as refuge, damages of the film also were caused by birds. The natural
decomposition was sufficient, when the film was tilled into the soil after the second
harvest.