This document summarizes a project to test sustainable strawberry production systems for Mississippi and surrounding markets. Field trials were conducted with seven cultivars under conventional and organic systems. Post-harvest tests analyzed fruit quality after harvest, shipping, and storage. A short course was also held to train growers, extension agents, and others. Preliminary results found that organic and conventional crops can be successfully grown, though deer damage was an issue. Interest from consumers, grocers, and restaurants suggests potential for expansion of the local strawberry industry in Mississippi.

1. Sustainable Strawberry
Production Systems for
Mississippi and Surrounding
Markets
William B. Evans*, R.G. Snyder,
R. Arancibia, J.C. Diaz-Perez,
E. Stafne, J. Main, and G. Bi
*MAFES Truck Crops Branch
P.O. Box 231, Crystal Springs, MS 39059-0231
(bill.evans@msstate.edu)

2. Introduction
• Few Strawberry growers in Mississippi
• Significant local industry in Louisiana, historically
more important in Mississippi
• Little local expertise, infrastructure
• Growing local demand and opportunity
• Good climate and soils available
• High value crop that could be locally wholesaled or
retailed similar to how Louisiana berries are marketed

3. Objectives
• To test cultivars for performance in Mississippi under
conventional and organic culture
• To train growers, Extension and others on strawberry
production methods appropriate for Mississippi and
surrounding areas
• To build interest in commercial strawberry production
in and around Mississippi

4. Components
• Field Trials
• Post Harvest Tests
• Short Course

6. Choctaw Tunnels

7. Trial methods
• Seven cultivars, four replications
• 20 plugs/plot
• Twin rows
• 12 inches in and between rows, offset
• 24 inch bed tops, about 4 inch final height
• Black plastic, drip – no frost sprinklers
• Row covers as needed
• Conventional (Choctaw and Crystal Springs); Organic
(Tupelo)

8. Cultivars
• Radiance
• Festival
• Camarosa
• Camino Real
• San Andreas
• Albion
• Chandler

9. Post-Harvest Tests
• Three sampling times:
– At Harvest
– After simulated regional shipping
– After shipping and simulated storage
• Data to collect:
– Brix
– Titratable Acidity
– Firmness
• Results Pending

10. Data and Evaluation
• Harvests every 4 to 7 days, depending on maturity
• Graded USDA No. 1 and 2s, culls
• Weighed
• Berries held for brix, TA

11. Plugs on Planting Day

12. First Time, Straight Row!

13. Transplanting

14. Organic Farm Site

15. Fruit Set

16. First Fruits

17. Antracnose

18. Deer Damage

19. Deer Damage

20. Preliminary Outcomes
• Organic and non-organic crops can be produced well
• Deer reduced quality and yield at Choctaw
• Hard winter can interrupt winter set
• Bed preparation and weed control will be important
• Irrigation and fertigation were “easy” for new growers
with training
• Huge interest by individual consumers, grocer and
restaurant trade
• Interested growers see potential for more production
and return

21. Short Course
• Two days
• Choctaw Extension Service Office
• Classroom and field tour
• State and National Experts
• Pre- and Post- Tests
• Free to participants

22. Short Course
Activities and Results
• Full range of topics and experts recruited to speak
• Intense advertising and recruitment for six weeks
leading up to the course
• Speakers were excellent
– Grower and University Attendees learned a lot
– Barkley Poling was featured speaker
• Engaged one lead grower for hours after
– Presentations will be posted on the MSUCares page
• www.msucares.com/crops/ssc

23. Short Course
Activities and Results
• Attendance was not as we had hoped, however, with
few growers and no county level extension personnel
• Tests indicate attendees gained crop and production
knowledge
• Residual effects will be great because of the training
for MSU and a few key growers

24. Project Impacts
• Short Course was a great training. MSU and growers
now have seen the potential of the crop
– Relationships developed
• Horticulture at Choctaw changed forever
– First use of plastic mulch provided excellent training and wa
an “a-ha moment”
– Collaboration was a success, more projects likely
• One follow-on proposal submitted
– Grower wish for an on-farm trial in 2014-15 being discussed
• Relationships with experts and suppliers established
• Crop knowledge increased
• Germ of revived industry planted in several ears

25. Questions?
Bill.evans@msstate.edu Twitter@npkveg