Spatial Variability of Soils and Local Irrigation Management In Strawberry Production.

For environmental, legal and economical reasons it has become a priority for many berry growers to improve their water use efficiency.  Great improvements have already occurred in the design of irrigation systems and in irrigation management technologies (sensors and control devices), but a better understanding of the spatial variability of the soil’s physical properties linked with plant water requirement is still necessary in order to optimize water use efficiency. The objectives of this study are to identify the optimal growing conditions for strawberry in different soil types based on soil matrix potential measurements and to compare two approaches (local vs global) of irrigation management in respect to yields and water consumption.

On three sites with different soil types (two near Québec, Canada and one near Watsonville, CA, USA), experiments were conducted  in order to assess the effects on fruit marketable yield, fruit quality and water consumption of two irrigation setpoints based on tensiometer readings (10-12 and 18-20 kPa) in comparison with the growers’ conventional irrigation management practices. Leaf water potential measurements related to the soil’s matric potential were also realized in order to target the optimal range in which plants should be maintained to ensure maximal hydric comfort and productivity.  Preliminary results show that irrigation management based on tensiometer readings can improve yields and reduce water consumption.