Strawberry

Fragaria spp.

1. Identification and origin

The strawberry (Fragaria spp.) belongs to the Rosaceae family and includes several wild and cultivated species. The species of greatest agricultural relevance is Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier, resulting from the cross between F. virginiana Mill. and F. chiloensis (L.) Mill., which occurred in the 18th century in Europe. The origin of the group lies in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with high natural diversity in North America and Europe. Modern domestication intensified in the United States, subsequently expanding to Europe, South America and Asia.

2. Economic importance

The strawberry is widely used for fresh consumption, industry (pulps, jams, pastry) and freezing. In Portugal, it is part of intensive systems in greenhouses or tunnels, with high profitability per area. Internationally, it stands out for its high commercial value, strong demand and short production cycle. The main producers include the United States, Mexico, Spain, Turkey and Egypt.

3. Botanical characterisation

A perennial herbaceous plant, of creeping growth and propagation by stolons. The stems are short, forming a basal crown. The leaves are compound and trifoliate, with a serrate margin. The flowers are white, hermaphroditic, grouped in inflorescences. The fruit is a fleshy pseudofruit, the achenes on the surface being the true fruits. The root system is superficial, concentrated in the first 15–20 cm, sensitive to water deficits and waterlogging. There is great variability between cultivars in terms of vigour, earliness, firmness and disease resistance.

4. Soil and climate requirements

The strawberry plant adapts to temperate climates, being sensitive to high temperatures. The ideal temperature is between 18–25 °C. It prefers light, well-drained soils, rich in organic matter, with pH 5.5–6.5, being sensitive to waterlogging and salinity. It requires frequent and uniform irrigation, especially during flowering and fruit filling. The use of mulching is a common practice for moisture conservation, weed control and improvement of fruit quality.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): sap sucking and transmission of viral diseases
• Mites (Tetranychidae): chloroses and reduction of photosynthesis
• Thrips (Frankliniella spp.): damage to flowers and fruits
• Spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii): oviposition in ripe fruits and rots
• Nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.): root damage and decline of vigour
• Slugs and snails: perforations in fruits

6. Main diseases

• Powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis): white mycelium on leaves and fruits
• Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea): infection of flowers and fruits in humid conditions
• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.): necroses and rots
• Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae): vascular wilt
• Phytophthora spp.: root rot and plant death
• Leaf spots (Mycosphaerella, Ramularia): reduction of the photosynthetic area

7. General crop management

Management includes the choice of cultivars adapted to the local climate and to the production system, establishment in well-drained soils, pH correction when necessary and the use of mulching. Fertigation is essential to ensure balanced nutrition. Cleaning pruning and the removal of old leaves reduce disease pressure. Monitoring of Drosophila suzukii and of fungal diseases is fundamental in humid periods. Harvesting is manual, carried out in several passes, when the fruits reach uniform colouring and adequate firmness. The strawberry plant is sensitive to soil diseases, so crop rotation is recommended.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Fragaria spp.
• CABI – Crop Protection Compendium – Fragaria spp.
• Hancock, J. F. (1999). Strawberries. CABI Publishing
• Pritts, M. P., & Handley, D. (2023). Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada. Cornell University / NRAES
• Whitaker, V. M. et al. (2021). Advances in strawberry breeding. Horticulture Research, 8, 1–14