Tensiometer-based irrigation scheduling in perennial strawberry cultivation

Tensiometers are ideal for soil moisture monitoring in strawberry cultivation because they operate effectively at less than -1,000 hPa soil water tension, which includes the soil moisture range for strawberries. For this study, four different drip irrigation thresholds, at -150, -300, -600 hPa, and, depending on the development stage of the plants, -300 or -600 hPa, were applied in a trial carried out in southwest Finland in 2001-2003 with June-bearing cultivar 'Bounty'. Higher soil moisture increased yield and fruit soluble solids content, but decreased fruit firmness. In healthy plants, no remarkable soil moisture effects on plant growth were observed, but in the years 2002-2003 it was observed that increased soil moisture in the previous growing season and the subsequent winter injuries decreased the following year's growth. Water consumption of plants varied considerably depending on growth stage, yield potential and environmental factors. The volumes of irrigation water ranged from 5 to 22 l/plant per growing season.