Project Overview
FNE04-528
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2004: $1,989.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Region: Northeast
State: Maine
Project Leader:
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Fruits: berries (strawberries)
Practices
- Crop Production: biological inoculants, cover crops, fertigation, foliar feeding, intercropping, tissue analysis
- Production Systems: general crop production
- Soil Management: soil analysis
Proposal summary:
Strawberries grown in a plasticulture system have weed control advantages over conventional strawberry systems. This project will explore the use of dormant, bare-root plants planted on plastic in late July. Dense planting of perennial ryegrass between plastic strips is expected to suppress unwanted weeds between the rows, eliminating the need for herbicides. Yields and costs will be tracked for two to three seasons. Outreach will be through a field day, articles in trade journals, and presentations at conferences.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.