Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) are a member of the rosacea family. This plant is grown all over the world; famous for its sweet fruits which have a characteristic aroma, juicy texture, and attractive red colour. Strawberries are universally loved fruit, and which is used as fresh fruit or in the preparations of processed foods such as fruit juice, ice cream, cakes, chocolate, milkshakes, jellies, and jams to pastries. Strawberries can be produced in any season by protected conditions. It can produce on a market-driven basis.
Strawberry is a nutritious and tasty exotic fruit that has recently been adopted in Kenya and has already attracted the attention of farmers as well as some businessmen. In Kenya, most farmers in different regions engage in subsistence strawberry farming. This is attributed to the simple nature of strawberry cultivation, short maturation time, and with less space. Strawberry is a new fruit crop and its cultivation technique is fairly new to many Kenyan farmers, which is making them reluctant to participate in strawberry farming.
However, consumer demand for strawberries is trending upward year over year. Moreover, the greater market absorption capacity indicates a promising future for the strawberry agro-industry. In countries with subtropical climates, the development of strawberry cultivation is used as a major source of income for farmers. With the development of more and more advanced Agricultural science technologies, attention is now being paid to strawberry cultivation in the tropics.
Photo _courtesy 1. Strawberry farming on raised bed.
Health benefits related to strawberries.
1. Strawberry vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can bring significant health benefits.
2. It also has the ability to protect against cancer. The nutrients present in strawberries, particularly vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids, fight free radicals, eventually creating a strong line of defense against cancer and tumor growth.
3. Help curb obesity. Consumption of strawberries favors weight loss, studies suggest that strawberries favor the production of two influential hormones – adiponectin and leptin. These two hormones help burn fat and boost metabolism.
4. Repair muscles: Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of strawberries promote rapid tissue recovery after an intensive workout.
5. It may also be used against diabetes. Strawberries can be helpful with type 2 diabetes. Strawberries contain flavonoids that can exhibit anti-diabetic action by inhibiting glucose absorption and maintaining blood sugar levels. One study strongly suggests that consuming whole strawberries could be associated with a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes. (Journal of Food and Function about the effect of strawberry intake on blood glucose levels).
6. It can be applied against infections. Strawberries contain a compound that helps combat fungus and bacterial infection.
7. Help in fighting cardiovascular diseases. Including strawberries in your food can have a positive impact on your heart health. A recent study shows that regular consumption of strawberries can improve endothelium function, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and eventually reduce the risk of heart
Propagation of strawberries.
Strawberries are unique compared to many other fruit crops due to the characteristics of their growth and reproduction patterns. There are many ways you can propagate strawberries.
Propagating strawberry runners.
These are modified stems called stolon, which are horizontal stems that create new plant clones at their nodes. It is the best way to ensure 100% success in getting a new strawberry plant, but you must obtain or have an established plant before doing so.
Establishment of strawberries from seeds.
Growing strawberries from seed, while rewarding, is more difficult than propagating from runners. Strawberries are the only fleshy fruit that wears their seeds on the outside.
Environmental requirements for cultivating strawberries.
Strawberries grow well at altitudes ranging from 1250 to 2200 meters above sea level.
Rainfall. They require a well-distributed rainfall of 1200mm per year.
Soils. Strawberries grow well in a wide range of well-drained soils, but deep sandy soils, rich in organic matter, are most conducive to growth and maximization of yields. Strawberries prefer soil with good water-holding capacity, but should not be waterlogged, as poor drainage makes strawberries weak and vulnerable to diseases. They perform impressively in soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Irrigation. Strawberries tend to dry fairly quickly because they are shallow roots with roots located primarily 8 cm deep. In general, irrigation is not needed for strawberries if the area receives approximately 2.5 to 4 cm of precipitation per week. In drier climates, additional moisture needs to be provided, especially during warm and dry periods. The drip irrigation system is recommended for strawberries.
Fertilizer requirements. Strawberries require compost manure for good growth. Compost is an organic fertilizer and soil amendment made by nature decomposing leaves, grass clippings, and other plant material.
Inorganic fertilizer. Strawberries require 4-5-5 (NPK) fertilizer to supply the nitrogen the strawberries need in the spring and phosphate and potash to produce high yields of large fruits in the summer. It also contains a number of other vitamins, minerals, and microbes that are beneficial to plant and soil health.
Strawberries maturity and yields. Strawberries take 4 to 6 weeks to mature. The harvest can be carried out for up to 3 weeks and it should produce a lot of berries, depending on the variety and management practices used. For example, if properly managed, a 1/8th plot may produce 30 to 50 kg of strawberries per week. (Greenlife Crop Protection).
Pests and diseases.
Strawberries are vulnerable to a range of diseases and pests. Moreover, several precautionary and protective measures are necessary to achieve maximum output.
Pests.
Slugs. If you’re seeing small, deep holes in the strawberry fruits, usually under the cap, chances are good that you’re dealing with slugs.
Control.
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- Remove leaves and other plant debris from the area to eliminate hiding places and prevent slug damage.
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- Water less frequently, but deeply. This will avoid the constantly wet soil that encourages slugs.
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- Trap slugs with a board. During the night, slugs will crawl under the board and cling to it.
Strawberry bud weevils. They are a problem in early spring when the adults emerge from overwintering.
Control.
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- Remove any infested buds, as well as any that have fallen to the ground, to prevent the insects from wintering over to infest another year’s crop.
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- You can spray your plants with insecticidal soap if you see the weevils, but repeated applications may be required. There are no other organic insecticides that work well with bud weevils.
Spittlebugs are straightforward to identify: If you see a clear, bubbly foam at the base of your plants, you have spittlebugs.
Control.
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- Inspect the plants, and when you see the tell-tale spittle, use a strong stream of water to remove the pests.
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- Get rid of old plant material around the plants at the end of the season. Spittlebug eggs overwinter in this garden material, and cleaning up will limit the number of eggs that can rematch in the spring.
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- Cover rows of strawberries with floating row covers in summer to prevent adult insects from laying eggs in your strawberries.
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- Use a homemade spray made from garlic or hot pepper mixed with water to spray plants.
Diseases.
1. Fruit diseases. Grey mold, fruit rot.
Photo 2. Fruit rot disease.
2. Root diseases. Black rot, Storage Mold.
Photo 3. Black rot disease
3. Leave diseases. Leaf spot, Powdery Mildew.
Organic chemicals are highly recommended, but in some cases spray appropriate inorganic chemicals.
Strawberry farming is a promising industry in Kenya, and it has the potential to provide significant economic benefits to farmers and the country as a whole. The reluctance of farmers to join this agro-industry can be solved by farmers’ training on the production of strawberries and its reliable markets.
References.
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-management/fruit-crops/strawberry-diseases.html.