8123

Management Goals and Management

Practices: Strawberries

Nutrient Management Goals

and Management Practices

for Strawberries

GIULIO FERRUZZI is Agronomist, USDA–NRCS, San Luis Obispo County.

This fact sheet includes Management Goals and Management Practices for reduc-

tion of nutrient pollution in strawberries. The following Management Goals and

Management Practices are designed to serve as a guide for strawberry production

with the goal of improving the management of nutrients and so reducing or eliminat-

ing nutrient losses in surface runoff.

For our purposes, we are defining a Management Goal (MG) as the best eco-

nomically achievable technology or process for limiting the movement of nutri-

ents, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), into ground or surface waters.

Management Goals are general: for example, “Base the amount and timing of N fertil-

izer applied on crop needs.” As a grower, you should implement every water quality

Management Goal that is relevant to your farm.

As used here, a Management Practice (MP) is a specific practice for accomplish-

ing a Management Goal: for example, “Monitor soil moisture between irrigations and

use the information to guide irrigation timing decisions.” Growers and crop advi-

sors have found the practices listed here to be suitable for strawberry production in

California’s coastal region. Management Practices are not requirements and are not

necessarily feasible or necessary for pollution control in every situation. Rather, they

are possible options for achieving Management Goals in effectively managing N and P

fertilizer and water.

The development of a comprehensive farm plan for nutrient management on

strawberry crops involves a series of nine Management Goals:

MG 1. Evaluate current irrigation and fertilization practices and plan improve-

ments in management.

MG 2. Avoid spilling fertilizer material during all phases of transport, storage,

and application.

MG 3. Base the amount and timing of fertilizer applications on crop needs and

production goals.

MG 4. Place N fertilizer materials where maximum plant uptake will occur.

MG 5. Minimize leaching losses of nitrate.

MG 6. Operate irrigation systems to minimize deep percolation and N losses.

MG 7. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing sprinkler systems.

MG 8. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing drip irrigation systems.

MG 9. Evaluate and maintain nutrient management goals and recommended

practices.

PUBLICATION 8123 FWQP FACT SHEET 3.14

UNIVERSITY OF

CALIFORNIA

Division of Agriculture

and Natural Resources
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu

In partnership with
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov

Farm Water

Quality Planning

A Water Quality and

Technical Assistance

Program for

California Agriculture
http://waterquality.ucanr.org

This Fact Sheet is part of

the Farm Water Quality

Planning (FWQP) series,

developed for a short course

that provides training for

growers of irrigated crops

who are interested in imple-

menting water quality protec-

tion practices. The short course

teaches the basic concepts of

watersheds, nonpoint source

pollution (NPS), self-assess-

ment techniques, and evalua-

tion techniques. Management

goals and practices are pre-

sented for a variety of crop-

ping systems.
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.eduhttp://www.nrcs.usda.govhttp://www.nrcs.us…

2ANR Publication 8123

To implement the Management Practices, you may have to obtain certain tech-

nical information. Consult your local UCCE farm advisor for assistance as you

develop these practices.

MG 1. Evaluate current irrigation and fertilization practices and plan improve-

ments in management.

MP 1.1 Determine nitrate and salt contamination of groundwater in existing wells

and assess the potential for transport of soluble contaminants such as nitrates

and salts downward to the ground water and laterally to surface waters.

MP 1.2 Develop and implement a system for keeping long-term records on each

field for water and nutrient/soil amendment inputs, cultural operations, pest

problems, land leveling or other improvements, and crop yield and quality.

MP 1.3 Review current cultural practices and develop improved nutrient and

water management plans.

MG 2. Avoid spilling fertilizer material during all phases of transport, storage,

and application.

MP 2.1 Provide organized training sessions for field personnel.

MP 2.2 When transporting fertilizer, do not overfill trailers or tanks. Cover or cap

loads properly and display appropriate placards on vehicles.

MP 2.3 When transferring fertilizer into on-farm storage or into a fertilizer appli-

cator, take care not to let materials accumulate on the soil.

MP 2.4 Maintain all fertilizer storage facilities in a way that meets government

and industry standards and protects them from the weather.

MP 2.5 Clean up fertilizer spills promptly.

MP 2.6 Shut off fertilizer applicators during turns and use check valves on appli-

cation equipment.

MP 2.7 Maintain proper calibration of fertilizer application equipment.

MP 2.8 Whenever you are injecting fertilizer into irrigation water, ensure that

backflow does not occur.

MP 2.9 Distribute rinse water from fertilizer application equipment evenly

throughout the field.

MG 3. Base the amount and timing of fertilizer applications on crop needs and

production goals.

MP 3.1 Before you apply nutrients early in the growth cycle, conduct soil sam-

pling and analysis to assess the amount of each nutrient already present in the

soil. Test for P and K in addition to N. A field may have accumulated sufficient

P and K concentrations for strawberry growth from previous seasons’ applica-

tions.

MP 3.2 When applying manure before you plant a crop, determine the nutrient

content of the manure and the amount of nitrate already present in the soil.

Apply manure at a rate consistent with the crop nutrient requirements.

MP 3.3 Where possible, make multiple small applications of N fertilizer rather

than a single large application.

MP 3.4 If you are growing a cover crop, determine the crop’s nutrient contribu-

tion to the soil and its utilization of nutrients from the soil. Adjust your N fer-

tilizer rate accordingly.

MP 3.5 Use soil nitrate testing and/or plant tissue sampling to guide your fertil-

ization decisions.

2ANR Publication 8123

The Farm Water Quality Plan (ANR Pub 9002) gives one method for develop-

ing a long-term system.

MP 3.6 Do not apply fertilizer N within 24 hours before a predicted large storm

event.

MP 3.7 To prevent winter leaching, use only slow-release N fertilizers during bed

preparation. Higher N applications may be appropriate if the soil test results are

low or crop demand is high.

MP 3.8 Measure nitrate levels in the irrigation water and adjust N fertilizer rates

accordingly.

MG 4. Place N fertilizer materials where maximum plant uptake will occur.

MP 4.1 Incorporate N fertilizer into the crop bed by banding fertilizer 2 to 4 cm

beneath the transplants or by broadcasting fertilizer and then listing it up into

the bed.

MP 4.2 Consider the conversion rate of organic N to other forms when incorpo-

rating manures and other organic amendments into soil.

MG 5. Minimize leaching losses of nitrate.

MP 5.1 When winter rains prohibit planting, grow a cover crop rather than leave

the fields fallow.

MP 5.2 Prevent excessive upfield runoff from entering or ponding in field.

MG 6. Operate irrigation systems to minimize deep percolation and N losses.

MP 6.1 Monitor soil moisture between irrigations and use the information to

guide irrigation timing decisions.

MP 6.2 Consider strawberry variety and growth stage, climate, and soil type when

determining irrigation amount and timing.

MP 6.3 Know the flow rates and the time required to apply the desired amount

(inches) of water.

MP 6.4 Use the minimum leaching fraction that will prevent stand establishment

problems or yield reductions from salinity.

MP 6.5 Follow state regulatory requirements and industry guidelines for back-

flow prevention when injecting fertilizer into irrigation water (see CCR Title 3

Excerpt at the end of this publication). Schedule regular maintenance of back-

flow prevention devices.

MP 6.6 If irrigation efficiency remains low after all practical improvements have

been made, convert to a more efficient irrigation system.

MP 6.7 When feritgating with a sprinkler or drip system, run the fertilizer in the

later part of the set so as not to leach nutrients beyond the root zone.

MG 7. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing sprinkler systems.

MP 7.1 Monitor flows and pressure variations throughout the system to detect

non-uniform application.

MP 7.2 Maintain the irrigation system by repairing leaks, replacing malfunction-

ing sprinklers, and maintaining adequate water pressure through the entire set.

MP 7.3 Operate sprinklers during the least windy periods whenever possible.

When applying sprinkler irrigation under windy conditions, reduce the spacing

between laterals if possible to optimize application uniformity.

MP 7.4 Use offset lateral moves on successive irrigations to improve distribution

uniformity.

MP 7.5 Use flow-control nozzles when the pressure variation throughout the sys-

tem is too great.

3ANR Publication 8123

4ANR Publication 8123

MP 7.6 To reduce runoff and erosion, make set times as short as possible during

establishment.

MP 7.7 For very large blocks, consider irrigating smaller sub-blocks individually.

MP 7.8 Utilize the services of a mobile irrigation lab.

MG 8. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing drip systems.

MP 8.1 For lateral hoses, use lengths that ensure uniformity.

MP 8.2 To reduce flow variations that result from pressure differences, make sure

that your drip tape has a small emitter discharge exponent.

MP 8.3 Conduct water analysis and fertilizer/water compatibility tests to deter-

mine the potential for clogged emitters.

MP 8.4 Use filtration, chemical treatments, and flushing as needed to prevent or

correct clogging problems.

MP 8.5 Utilize the services of a mobile irrigation lab.

MG 9. Evaluate and maintain nutrient management goals and recommended

practices.

MP 9.1. Periodically re-evaluate the management goals and recommended prac-

tices that your have implemented for nutrient management. Correct deficien-

cies as needed.

REFERENCE

Pettygrove, G. S., S. R. Grattan, B. R. Hanson, T. K. Hartz, L. E. Jackson, T. R.

Lockhart, K. F. Schulbach, and R. Smith. 1998. Nitrogen and Water Management

for Coastal Cool-Season Vegetables. UC ANR Publication 21581. Oakland:

University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Chemical Soil Tests for Soil Fertility Evaluation,http://vric.ucdavis.edu/veginfo/topics/fertilizer/soiltests.pdf

CREDIT

Adapted by the author from Nutrient Management Goals and Management Practices

for Cool-Season Vegetables: Farm Water Quality Planning Series (UC ANR

publication 8097).

CCR TITLE 3 EXCERPT

California Code of Regulations (CCR)—Title 3

6610. Backflow Prevention.

Each service rig and piece of application equipment that handles pesticides and

draws water from an outside source shall be equipped with an air-gap separation,

reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device, or double check valve assem-

bly. Backflow protection must be acceptable to both the water purveyor and the local

health department. Authority cited: Sections 11456 and 12976, Food and Agricultural

Code. Reference: Section 11501, Food and Agricultural Code.

For the entire Code, see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation

website: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/inhouse/calcode/subchpte.htm
http://vric.ucdavis.edu/veginfo/topics/fertilizer/soiltests.pdfhttp://v…

5ANR Publication 8123

FOR MORE INFORMATION

You’ll find detailed information on many aspects of strawberry culture and resource

conservation in these titles and in other publications, slide sets, CD-ROMs, and videos

from UC ANR:

Strawberry Deficiency Symptoms: A Visual and Plant Analysis Guide to Fertilization,

publication 1917

Strawberry Production in California, publication 2959

To download these products, visit our online catalog at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.

You can also place orders by mail, phone, or FAX, or request a printed catalog of

publications, slide sets, CD-ROMs, and videos from

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Telephone: (800) 994-8849 or (510) 642-2431, FAX: (510) 643-5470

E-mail inquiries: danrcs@ucdavis.edu

An electronic version of this publication is available on the ANR Communication

Services Web site at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.

Publication 8123

© 2004 by the Regents of the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

All rights reserved.

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This publication has been anonymously peer reviewed for technical accuracy by University of

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Associate Editor for Natural Resources.
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Nutrient Management Goals and Management Practices for Strawberries

MG 1. Evaluate current irrigation and fertilization practices and plan improvements in management.

MG 2. Avoid spilling fertilizer material during all phases of transport, storage, and application.

MG 3. Base the amount and timing of fertilizer applications on crop needs and production goals.

MG 4. Place N fertilizer materials where maximum plant uptake will occur.

MG 5. Minimize leaching losses of nitrate.

MG 6. Operate irrigation systems to minimize deep percolation and N losses.

MG 7. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing sprinkler systems.

MG 8. Improve the irrigation uniformity of existing drip systems.

MG 9. Evaluate and maintain nutrient management goals and recommended practices.

Reference

Credit

CCR Title 3 excerpt

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Text40: ISBN 978-1-60107-302-0