Preliminary results of different strawberry cultivars in multi-cropping soilless cultivation

Traditional strawberry cultivation techniques adopted by Italian farmers (open field and plastic tunnels) result in a concentration of production in the spring period (mid-April-early June, single cropping system); consequently, this results in over-supply of the market, with a consequent lower price for the grower. To overcome this problem, one solution could be the adoption of soilless protected culture in late summer, planting everbearing strawberry cultivars, in order to prolong the ripening period to the beginning of December. The everbearing cultivars tested were 'Murano' and 'Vivara'. Plants were cold-stored (A+ category) or mini-tray and were planted in mid-July 2019. The analysed parameters were productive (total plant/production and average fruit weight) and qualitative (fruit soluble sugar content and total acidity). The results showed a difference among cultivars on the adaptability to the soilless cultivation in the summer-autumn season, for both productive and qualitative parameters. 'Murano' showed the highest total plant yield, while the fruit quality as relatively low for both strawberry cultivars. These preliminary results confirm the potential of this cultivation system to extend the strawberry harvest season, to avoid over production and maintain a higher commercial fruit value for the grower