Improving Production of Dayneutral Strawberries in Ontario

Lead Applicant: John Zandstra

Research Priority: Productions Systems - Plant

Program Type: Tier 2

Funding Cycle: 2013/2014

Research Centre: N/A

Research Summary: The strawberry industry in Canada has been based on matted-row production of short-day varieties with a 4-6 week harvest season in June and July. Ontario strawberry growers are progressive adopting new production systems and cultivars. In the last few years, the area of short-day varieties produced in Ontario has decreased and growers are trying Californian-bred dayneutral cultivars. It is estimated that 500 to 600 acres are currently planted in dayneutral strawberries representing 15-20% of the strawberry acreage in Ontario. This number is growing as growers realize it is possible to harvest Ontario strawberries from early June to the end of October.At present, Ontario growers are faced with several challenges in their efforts to grow dayneutral strawberries.  The cultivars currently grown were bred in California and, therefore, are not well suited to the Canadian climate, and cannot be propagated economically in Canada using standard techniques.  Many of the production recommendations for growing dayneutral strawberries in Canada, if they exist, are over 20 years old and may no longer apply to the current cultivars and available production systems. This research will address these challenges providing recommendations on dayneutral strawberry production in soil and in soilless systems, and continuing the development of seed propagated dayneutral cultivars adapted to our climate and production systems.