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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403858
Research Project: Disease Management and Improved Detection Systems for Control of Pathogens of Vegetables and Strawberries

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Geospatial analysis of California strawberry fields reveals regional differences in crop rotation and vulnerability to a warming climate

Author
item Ramos, Gerardo
item Goldman, Polly
item SHARRETT, JASON - California Strawberry Commission
item PENNERMAN, KAYLA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item DILLA-ERMITA, JADE - University Of California
item DUNDORE-ARIAS, J - California State University
item Henry, Peter

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2023
Publication Date: 3/29/2023
Citation: Ramos, G., Goldman, P.H., Sharrett, J., Pennerman, K., Dilla-Ermita, J., Dundore-Arias, J.P., Henry, P.M. 2023. Geospatial analysis of California strawberry fields reveals regional differences in crop rotation and vulnerability to a warming climate. Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens, March 28-30, 2023, Salinas, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Strawberries provide a critical source of fresh fruit for U.S. consumers and are the sixth most consumed fruit nationally. More than 90% of domestically consumed strawberries are produced on only ~40,000 acres in California. Almost all of California strawberries are grown in proximity to the ocean because average temperatures rise rapidly over short distances from the shoreline. Strawberry growers maximize the utility of scarce land by fumigating soil before planting. This practice enables growers to shorten or eliminate crop rotations that would otherwise be a necessary disease-preventive practice and continue production in climatically-desirable, pathogen-infested fields. However, the industry is under increasing pressure to reduce or eliminate fumigant use. Although anecdotal reports indicate crop rotation is common among some growers, the frequency and duration of crop rotation practices among California strawberry growers has not been quantified. This analysis is necessary to determine the feasibility and potential impact of lengthening crop rotations to improve soilborne disease management without fumigation. The goals of this study were to fill this knowledge gap by: 1) using geospatial analysis to determine the frequency and duration of crop rotations in California strawberry fields, 2) exploring geographic and edaphic factors driving the concentration of strawberry production, and 3) evaluating the feasibility for crop rotations.