Agronomic and Post-Harvest Performance of Strawberry Cultivars in High Tunnel and Open-Field Environment in Southeast Virginia

This study evaluated crop yield potential, season extension, and post-harvest parameters of strawberry cultivars grown in open-field and high tunnel, annual hill production systems. Tested cultivars included “Albion,” “Camino Real,” “Chandler,” “Merced,” “Rocco,” “Ruby June,” “San Andreas,” and “Sweet Ann.” Strawberry plugs were transplanted in the first week of October 2019. The harvest period in the high tunnel was January 2020 through June 2020, while the harvest period in the open-field was April 2020 through June 2020. Except for “Albion” (474 g/plant) having low yield, most cultivars had similar total yields in the high tunnel. “Chandler,” “Rocco” and “Sweet Ann” had the greatest total yields in the open-field (~870 to 780 g/plant). “Albion,” “Merced,” “Ruby June,” “San Andreas” and “Sweet Ann” had the greatest fruit weights in each environment. “Camino Real” and “Ruby June” had the firmest fruit in both environments. In addition, “Merced” produced firm fruits under a high tunnel environment. “Rocco,” and “Ruby June,” had the greatest total soluble solids (~8.7 °Brix) and titratable acidity (>1.85%) in the high tunnel. Total soluble solids for most cultivars were similar in open-field environments. Titratable acidity was greatest (>1.68%) for “Albion,” “Chandler,” “Rocco” and “Ruby June” in open-field production. Different cultivars offered slightly different market-desirable traits. Although the high tunnel system extended the season, achieving marketable yield in high tunnel is challenging due to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Principal component analysis indicated that a more moderate plant size may deliver a greater proportion of large, marketable berries.