Strawberries Grown Under Protected Cultivation on the Texas High Plains

Abstract

Strawberry production on the Texas High Plains is limited due to extreme spring weather conditions that reduce yields, quality and potential profitability for small growers. High tunnels are utilized in many areas throughout the U.S. for climate modification, and may offer the protection needed to grow strawberries in the region. Seven strawberry varieties grown annually under protected cultivation (high tunnels) were compared over two seasons to open-field production at the Texas A & M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock for yield and quality. During Season 1, marketable strawberry yields in high tunnels were 7.5 times greater compared to yields in the open field, and this was largely due to a severe hailstorm that damaged open-field plants during early growth. In Season 2, a moderate hailstorm also damaged the open-field plants, though not as severely. High tunnel strawberry yields were 3.5 times greater than those harvested in the open field. During both seasons, high tunnel strawberries were harvested for six to eight weeks longer than those in the open field. Though more research is needed, these results suggest that when protected using high tunnels, strawberry production on the Texas High Plains has potential for success.