D32—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 5,1984 Irrigation helps strawberries NEWARK, Del. Strawberries are one of the Delmarva penin sula’s most traditional fruit crops. It’s the earliest of the season and needs to be managed well. One of the best ways to boost yields, according to University of Delaware extension vegetable specialist Ed Kee, is to irrigate the crop during critical growth stages. “In planning an irrigation program for strawberries,” he says, “keep in mind these three basic facts. t First, the earliest runners are the best potential yielders. This means it pays to encourage runner development soon after planting, and to renovate established beds after harvest to further encourage runners. Second, the more leaves present, the more opportunities for buds to develop and the better the potential for high yields. This is another reason to encourage runner growth. Third, cell size of the fruit bud is determined in late August and September. If favorable growing conditions exist them, bigger cells can develop, resulting in bigger berries the next spring. This also translates into better yields. Watering newly set-out plants gets them off to a good start during dry weather; and watering during fruit development improves berry size and yield. But Kee says irrigation also affects future yield during two other growth stages - after bed renovation, and during the dry spells in late August and September. Irrigating after renovation encourages runner development, which leads to more fruit buds. Irrigating in late summer may increase fruit size the following spring. In a study conducted at the University of Missouri, strawberry yields increased dramatically under late-season irrigation. Two irrigations in September increased yields the following spring by over 5.000 quarts per acre over the nonirngated check plot. Three additional irrigations in August and September added another 4.000 quarts per acre the following spring. Strawberry plants may suffer drought stress before showing symptoms, Kee warns. Under normal conditions a plant uses 0.15 inch of water a day - more in dry weather. Under, hot, windy con Featuring • Sidewinder 45 Concrete Pump • Up To 40 Cubic Yards Per Hour • Pump Up To 150 Ft. Vertical And 800 Ft. Horizontal CONCRETE SPRAYING SERVICE A Proven Woy Of Applying Concrete • Repair Retaining Walls • Strengthen Existing Masonry Walls • Reseal Manure Pits KEYSTONE GUN-KRETE 61 Poplar Street Gordonville, PA 17529 STRAY VOLTAGE The HAMMOND TINGLE VOLTAGE FILTER is a new development in the technology of stray voltage reduction. The TINGLE VOLTAGE FILTER has recently been installed on the following dairy farms BEN JACKSON FARM COLUMBIA CROSS ROADS, PA. Before installation had 2.5 volts at peak times, this was reduced to .04 volts with installation of the Tingle Voltage Filter The TINGLE VOLTAGE FILTER is safe, effective, permanent, inexpensive and are completely maintenance free. If installed with Dairylands Stray Voltage Indicator permanently will show electrical faults before they become hazardous. Dealers Wanted: To sell and install this fast moving, much needed product in your areas. Qualifications: Must have complete electrical knowledge of dairy farm equipment, and electrical service entrance. Please send qualifications and credit references to your Dairy Equipment Specialist. Dairyland Sales & Service, Inc. ditions, plants can easily reach the wilting point in five to seven days. He suggests growers schedule irrigations by recording daily temperature and evaporation rates. A tensiometer will also help monitor soil moisture. “Remember, irrigation can play a major role in increasing strawberry yields,” the specialist concludes. “You can use it to encourage more runners earlier, and also to increase the number and size of next year’s berries. Consider . (gating at these development stages: at planting, at pre-harvest, after renovation, and during late August and Sep tember. E GUN-KRETE GS (717) 768-3641 SOLUTION R.D. 3, Box 43, Troy, PA 16947 PH: (717) 297-4128 “Growers often need their irrigation equipment for other crops during some of these stages, and strawberries may not have top priority,” says Kee. “But there may be strong economic reasons to allocate more water to strawberries during any or all of these periods in the plant’s growth.” SLOW Q Call Now To Place Your CLASSIFIED AD Ph. 717.3*4.3047 or 717.*2*>1164 CONCRETE PUMPING SERVICE • Manure Pit Construction • Trench Silo Construction • Silo Repair WILLIAM EICK FARM COLUMBIA CROSS ROADS, PA. Before installation had 3.5 volts at peak times was reduced to .14 volts with installation of the Tingle Voltage Filter.
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