Testing of strawberry-varieties (with/without biodegradable mulch film) for organic cultivation

Different strawberry varieties, available from organic propagation at that time were, planted in August 2004 and proofed about their suitability for organic cultivation, each variety was tested with and without biodegradable mulch film. Within the early ripening strawberry varieties ‘Clery ’ had a middle yield and was susceptible for infections with leaf spot, losses of plants by Verticillium were seldom. This variety should be planted early to reach enough vigor in autumn. ‘Clery ’ has an interesting potential in the phase of higher prices at the beginning strawberry season. ‘Darselect ’ ripened shortly before ‘Elsanta’, the yield was lower, but the fruit-size bigger, so the picking could be done more quickly. ‘Elsanta’ showed in this trial under organic conditions not too bad results, but on this area no strawberries had been cultivated for many years before, so the potential of soil-borne diseases was only low to middle. In the group of middle ripening varieties ‘Korona ’ suffered under the hot weather in June 2006 and reacted with heavy wilting symptoms, first of all caused by Verticillium, and with more leathery and small fruits. ‘Florence ’ and ‘Peco ’ had often sunburst (by intensive sunbeams). ‘St. Pierre ’ had a vigor plant, middle yield and less sunburst, but should be picked well ripened. The late variety ‘Yamaska ’ was robust, but tasted only middle good. The biodegradable mulch film increased in the first year the yield of the early ripening varieties, in the second year with a hot summer this effect disappeared. Partly snails used the mulch film as refuge, damages of the film also were caused by birds. The natural decomposition was sufficient, when the film was tilled into the soil after the second harvest