ARS | Publication request: Alternative Fumigation Strategies in California Strawberry Production and the Use of Remote Sensing for Evaluating Their Effect on Crop Production.

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Acceptance Date: May 20, 2004
Publication Date: August 20, 2004
Citation: Martin, F.N. Alternative Fumigation Strategies In California Strawberry Production And The Use Of Remote Sensing For Evaluating Their Effect On Crop Production. Phytopathology. 2004. V. 94. P. S133.

Technical Abstract: This abstract discusses work that has been done evaluating alternatives to methyl bromide in the strawberry industry in California. In addition to yield data, experimentation was also done to assess plant health using remote sensing technology. In collaboration with commercial growers large-scale field trials with alternatives to methyl bromide have been undertaken to evaluate their efficacy for management of soilborne diseases and their effect on subsequent fruit production cycles. Yield data was collected from replicated subplots within treatment blocks (market and cull) as well as from individual production blocks (commercial trays/acre). Data on plant growth parameters, leaf area, and canopy reflectance were also collected from the various fumigation treatments and examined to determine their relationship with crop yield. Calibrated, georeferenced aerial images (0.5 meter spatial resolution) of the production fields collected at 4-6 week intervals during the fruiting season were used to calculate vegetation indices and model how changes in a field over time related to crop productivity. The relationships between the ground based data, data from the aerial images and yield will be discussed.