The effect of different organic mulches on strawberries

Different organic mulches were evaluated at the Pure Horticultural Research Station during 2000-2002. Three organic mulch types, straw, shavings and living grass mulch, were compared with the standard system of no mulch using two cultivars, 'Induka' and 'Festivalnaya Romascha'. The influence of mulch type on the phenological stages, runner development, flower frost resistance, winter hardiness, productivity, yield, fruit size, infestation by the strawberry blossom weevil, and diseases, were studied. Flowering and production period did not differ significantly between treatments. Better runnering, flowering and productivity were observed in the production system without mulch, followed by living grass mulch. There were more fruit rots in the treatment without mulch than with mulch. Living grass mulch facilitated the spread of blossom weevil, with a higher number of misshapen berries and reduced fruit size. Infections by leaf and root diseases were mostly influenced by growing season and cultivar, not treatment. In summary, 'Induka' performed better than 'Festivalnaya Romascha'.