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Environ. Horticulture, Pears, Cherries, and Viticulture
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Environ. Horticulture, Pears, Cherries, and Viticulture

Wind Burn on Strawberry Fruit?

Me and the grower are of one mind that the brown spots recently showing up on fruit (this is Monterey variety), are from the strong winds we've had for the last four or so days.  Makes sense, especially since there is no signs of disease or insects, and above all these spots are fairly firm.  It's almost like the fruit has callused a bit there.

What do you think?

Discolored fruit - area is fairly hard and dryed out.
Discolored fruit - area is fairly hard and dryed out.

Same as above, just showing up in several areas. I see my hands look pretty dry there, probably need to moisturize.
Same as above, just showing up in several areas. I see my hands look pretty dry there, probably need to moisturize.

Posted on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 9:59 AM

Comments:

1.
No doubt the damage to the fruit is from leaves rubbing over the fruit during the strong winds. The leaves are receiving the same buffeting from the wind. Physical damage to the leaves is occurring due to abrasion and from petioles breaking. Also, moisture is being sucked out of the leaves faster than it can be replaced from the roots. Ideal relative humidity in the strawberry plant canopy is 70%. With strong wind the RH plumets. Trying to overcome this problem by running longer irrigation sets poses the risk of saturating the soil below 6 inches. This can lead to other problems. Several short irrigations that sum up to the total scheduled irrigation time for the day provide sufficient soil moisture for the plants, avoid saturation of the bottom of the root zone and marginally improves the microclimate around the stomata. This would be a really good time for micro sprinklers or misters.

Posted by Thomas Flewell on June 12, 2021 at 9:54 AM

2.
This is great input Thom, thank you. I would think too that the CIMIS stations would adjust the evapotranspiration potential based on the windspeed. With you 100% on adjusting irrigation upward to account for the accelerated removal of water from the plants due to the wind.

Posted by Mark Bolda on June 18, 2021 at 2:18 PM

3.
Mark what is CIMIS?

Posted by Dustin on April 20, 2023 at 7:39 PM

4.
Hi Dustin, CIMIS is the acronym for the California Irrigation Management Information System. You should learn how to use it, registration is free and you can use it to track various facets, such as those mentioned above, in your area. Very very useful, we are constantly pushing for more stations so as to get access to more precise information for our area.

Posted by Mark Bolda on April 21, 2023 at 7:27 AM

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