Strawberries on substrate: which alternatives to peat?

• Published in: Revue suisse de viticulture, arboriculture, horticulture Vol. 42; no. 2
• Main Authors: Ancay, A, Fremin, F, Sigg, P., Station de recherche Agroscope Changins-Waedenswil ACW, Conthey (Switzerland). Centre de Conthey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.03.2010
• Subjects: AGRICULTURA ALTERNATIVA; AGRICULTURE ALTERNATIVE; ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE; BAYAS; COCOS; COIR; COMPOST; COMPOSTS; CULTIVO SIN TIERRA; CULTURE SANS SOL; FIBRA DEL COCO; FIBRE DE COCO; FRAISE; FRESA; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_14407; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_1734; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_1795; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_28792; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_32962; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5647; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5890; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7151; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7443; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_8488; PEAT; PETITS FRUITS; PINUS; RENDEMENT; RENDIMIENTO; SOFT FRUITS; SOILLESS CULTURE; STRAWBERRIES; TOURBE; TURBA; YIELDS
• ISSN: 0375-1430

Renewable organic substrates were compared from 2005 to 2008 in order to assess the replacement of peat as a substrate for everbearing strawberries production. Moreover, the possibility of recycling coir substrates previously used in tomato cultures was examinated in strawberries production. Results showed that for everbearing strawberries peat can easily be replaced by other substrates such as coir, compost, wood fibres or composted pine bark. There was no significant yield, fruit calibre and fruit quality differences between the various substrates tested. The re-use of coco fibres substrate, previously used in tomato cultures, is possible for strawberries production without incidence on yield, which is an interesting economical and ecological alternative to the use of a new substrate.