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.edu
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
http://waterquality.ucanr.org
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.pdf
http://vric.ucdavis.edu/veginfo/topics/fertilizer/soiltests.pdf
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/inhouse/calcode/subchpte.htm
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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E-mail inquiries: danrcs@ucdavis.edu
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Services Web site at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.
Publication 8123
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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