Open-Field Tabletop; An Alternative Strawberry Production System in Florida!
Applied Research
Wael Elwakil
Extension Agent II, Fruit & Vegetable Production
UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County
Seffner
Abstract
Conventional strawberry production in Florida is unique, with many disease and insect pest challenges. While greenhouse tabletop production and its different variations can solve some of said challenges, it can be a very high-cost alternative in Florida, primarily due to the infrastructure and enormous energy requirements for environmental conditions management. In this 3-year on-farm research project, we examine a modified tabletop system in open-field conditions to utilize the best of both worlds. In season 1 (2025-2026), we tested three soilless substrate mixtures: 1) coco coir (control), 2) pine bark + yard waste (compost), and 3) pine bark + yard waste (compost) + vermicompost. Substrate treatments were replicated four times with both black and white plastic mulch under conventional and organic production systems (approximately 1/8 acres each). Irrigation and fertigation are controlled and monitored with an automated system utilizing regular drip tape. In the ongoing season 2 (2025-2026), we evaluate the best-performing substrate (pine bark + yard waste (compost) + vermicompost) and coco coir as a control. Results from season 1 and preliminary data from season 2 indicate the ability of the plants to establish and grow with a comparable plant vigor to conventional production. Season 1 yield data showed that substrate 3 covered by white plastic mulch has yielded the highest in both conventional and organic systems. A repeating pattern was observed, where white plastic yielded higher across all substrates. The elevated and well-ventilated nature of this production system offers a significant advantage for disease reduction, such as gray mold and neopestalotiopsis leaf spot, fruit, and crown rot. It also offers an advantage in food safety risk assessment due to the distance of the fruit from the ground soil. The elevation of the tabletop system also offers other great benefits, such as a lack of need to fumigate and the ease of planting, regular crop management practices, and, most importantly, harvest, where workers can perform all tasks standing, which improves their efficiency and performance. Current and future research aims to further optimize this system and quantify its commercial financial feasibility as a supplemental or alternative growing system.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Wael Elwakil, Xin Zhao, Scott Goldstein
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Elwakil, W. Extension Agent II, Fruit & Vegetable Production, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 33584
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Zhao, X. Professor of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS, Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida, 32611
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Goldstein, S. Biological Scientist II, UF/IFAS, Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida, 32611