High Tunnel Production of Organic Raspberries: Effects of Fertilization Management
M. Dorais, L. Gaudreau, M. Bordeleau, A. Gosselin, L. Gauthier, Y. Desjardins and S. Khanizadeh
Abstract
High tunnel production under higher latitude growing conditions can enhance the economic sustainability of organic raspberry (Rubus sp.) fruit farming by extending the cropping season and improving fruit quality. However, only small areas are used for organic production even though the supply does not fulfill market demand for organic raspberries.
The goals of this study were to compare two organic fertilization management methods (liquid and liquid+solid) with a conventional fertilization grown under high tunnels and to determine the effect of CaCl2 foliar spray application on berry quality. A completely randomized experimental design with eight replicates was established at Les Fraises de l’Île d’Orléans, Québec, Canada and the combined six treatments were compared during 2010 and 2011.
During the first growing season, no significant differences were observed in the soil nutrient solution collected from suction lysimeters installed at a depth of 15 cm, while soils that were organically farmed had higher concentrations of N (28%), P (23%), K (46%), Mg (93%), Ca (17%), Fe (10%), and Mn (17%) compared to conventionally fertilized soil, which resulted in higher leaf nutrient concentrations. At the end of the cropping season, 39-54% higher plant biomass, 21% higher yields, and 4% greater fruit size were observed under the organic production systems compared to the conventional system. Fruit quality was not affected by the CaCl2 treatment. During the second growing season, similar results were observed, showing clear advantages for the organic farming system. Results will be discussed in term of alternative and sustainable growing systems for organic raspberries.
Source
Proceedings of the 2nd International Organic Fruit Symposium. June 18-21, 2012. Leavenworth, Washington.
Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 Canada
(2) Horticulture Research Centre, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6 Canada
(3) Les Fraises de l’île d’Orléans, St-Laurent d’Orléans, QC, G0A 3Z0 Canada
(4) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CRDH, St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC, J3B 3E6 Canada
Posted August 2012