A review of strawberry under protected cultivation: yields are higher under tunnels than in the open field

Abstract

Strawberries are grown under tunnels to protect the plants from cold, frosts, rain, and fruit diseases. A review was conducted to determine the performance of plants under plastic tunnels. Information was collected on yields and fruit weight under tunnels and in the open field (n?=?133 experiments) and on environmental conditions in the two areas. In a global analysis, plants under tunnels had higher relative marketable (Tunnel/Open?=?1.34?±?0.76) and total yields (Tunnel/Open?=?1.30?±?0.83) than those in the open (p?<?0.001). In contrast, fruit weight was similar in the two growing areas (Tunnel/Open?=?1.04?±?0.22) (p?=?0.094). Relative marketable yields (Tunnel/Open) were similar in plants in Northern and Southern Europe, and in Northern and Southern America (p?>?0.05). Relative marketable yields were similar in areas with cool or cold winters or with spring/summer or winter/spring production seasons, and under low or high tunnels (p?>?0.05). Lower yields under tunnels were associated with low light levels and high temperatures under the plastic and a higher incidence of powdery mildew. The use of tunnels under global warming will require attention to ventilation under the covers.