Strawberry soilless cultivation

Strawberry is a very important crop in Europe and USA due to its nutritional and sensorial characteristics and its profitability. Nowadays, the traditional soil based crop production is being replaced by soilless growing systems, leading to higher yield and quality all over the year Open systems with different kind of substrates in plastic bags or pots are mainly used, at plant densities front 8 to 12plants m(-2). Fruit yield is in the range from 5 to 10kg m(-2). In general, plants are grown at 0.8-1m height above the soil surface, to isolate them front the soil and to facilitate the crop management. There are variations in the composition of the nutrient solution, reflecting differences in the conditions of crop production. Plug plants are produced in containers with substrate. They are obtained from runner tips (if in vitro propagated mother plants. In Brazil, the strawberry soilless culture is in its first steps. Production and economical results tire rather unsatisfactory, and researches about more appropriated cropping systems for local conditions are needed. Therefore, it is necessary to search for sustainable soilless growing systems, mainly of the closed type, to maximize yield under high water and nutrient use efficiency. Plant propagation, facilities and nutrient solutions used in different countries are described. Finally, guidelines for soilless crop systems appropriated for this crop in Brazilian conditions are presented.