Development of integrated system for the production of high quality strawberry seedlings in protected cultivation and sterile substrate

• Grant number: 02/02303-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 2003
• End date: October 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Keiji Roberto Nakashima
• Grantee: Keiji Roberto Nakashima
• Company: Plantech Centro de Produção Vegetal Ltda
• City: Atibaia

Abstract

Strawberry production in Brazil is estimated at 40 thousand tons, over an area of around 1500 hectares, with the State of São Paulo being the main producer. Almost all the production in the State is done in the regions of Atibaia, Jarinu and Piedade. Despite there having been an increase in the area planted, a drop in productivity has been noted, related mainly to the unsatisfactory health of the plants. The phytosanitary problems arise from the inadequate management of some cultivation practices such as soil preparation, irrigation and quality of seedlings used. Strawberry is a crop that is fairly susceptible to diseases which attack the rhizome and root system, caused by pathogens in the soil. Fresh seedlings with bare roots originating in conventional cultivations are a great disseminating agent of this pathogenic organisms (fungi and bacteria), which can survive in the soil for long periods of time and affect new plantings. The present project aims to develop a production system in which seedlings produced in vitro will be cultivated in a protected environment and in a sterile substrate to guarantee that their phytosanitary quality is maintained when they are transferred to the field. The use of techniques of micro-propagation combined with the advantages of cultivation in a substrate without soil throughout the entire production chain of seedlings will avoid contamination from soil. Starting with healthy seedlings should greatly minimize losses from disease, in addition to savings on defensives, thus reducing the environmental impact. (AU)