Vegetative and productive development of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), using row covers of spunbonded polyester with different densities

Abstract

The effect of different density agrotextile polyester row covers in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch., cv. Chandler) was evaluated. Row covers were placed directly over the plants as a tunnel without any support structure. Three treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design: a control treatment (without row covers), row covers of 20 g m^-2 and row covers of 30 g m^-2. When row covers were used, the fruit production started 4.8 and 2.2 days earlier, with 20 and 30 g m^-2 row covers, respectively. The use of row covers also increased the fruit number and weight, yield per plant and sugar concentration in comparison with the control treatment, with the best result obtained with 30 g m^-2 row covers.