ASHS 2024 Conference

High tunnel production of day-neutral strawberries is a promising production system in the central U.S. The use of different colored plastic mulches in a high tunnel production system can vary the microclimate around plants and alter yield and fruit quality. This study was conducted to identify the most appropriate color plastic mulch in a high tunnel production system as it relates to yield and fruit quality. The experiment was conducted at the Kansas State University, Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center in 2020 and 2021 using a split-plot, randomized complete block design. We evaluated six plastic mulches (black, white, striped silver, silver, red, and green) and two day-neutral cultivars, ‘Albion’ and ‘Portola’. Soil temperature and UV light reflected from the mulch were measured to monitor microclimate modifications. Fruit quality was assessed by overall visual quality, color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, sugar/acid ratio, total phenolics, and anthocyanin content of strawberries. 'Portola’ produced greater yields than ‘Albion’, but ‘Albion’ had better fruit quality. The plastic mulches altered the reflected UV light and soil temperatures. During the mid and late season, the silver mulch had higher fruit yields than the red and green mulches, likely due to its ability to limit solar warming during warm production months. The mulches had inconsistent impacts on fruit quality. Overall, the silver mulch maintained the best microclimate for day-neutral strawberry production in high tunnels.