Strawberry

As published 2007, strawberries are grown on 4191 hectares (10 356 acres) across all of Canada. The majority of strawberries grown for the fresh market and U-pick operations, with only 15% of production going to processing. Ontario leads in strawberry production with 47% of the national production, followed by Quebec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia with 27%, 9% and 9% of the national production, respectively. Total national production stands at 19 339 tonnes ( Statistics Canada).

On-Going Strawberry Strategy

Health Canada (HC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Pesticide Risk Reduction Program identified strawberries as a priority crop. General strawberry production information and issues along with pest issues are documented in the Crop Profile for Strawberry in Canada. A strawberry issues document, extracted from the crop profile, was used as a discussion tool in strawberry stakeholder meetings and consultations to help identify the top insect, disease and weed issues. General issues of concern and potential solutions to these issues are also discussed at these meetings. AAC's Pest Management Centre prepared both documents in consultation with the strawberry industry, the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program's Technical Working Group and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Strawberry Stakeholder Meetings and Consultations

Western Stakeholder Meeting

A Western strawberry stakeholder meeting was held on November 16, 2005, in Edmonton, Alberta, in conjunction with the Alberta Horticulture Congress. Participants included grower representatives from all four western provinces, provincial specialists, researchers and representatives from the pesticide industry. The meeting sought to prioritize issues of concern to strawberry growers in Western Canada and put forward possible solutions for these issues. Proposed solutions reflected the Program's goal of reducing the risks associated with pesticide use.

Eastern Stakeholder Meeting

An Eastern strawberry stakeholder meeting was held February 6, 2006, in Truro, Nova Scotia. Participants included grower representatives from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, provincial specialists, researchers and representatives from the pesticide industry. The meeting focussed on prioritizing issues of concern to strawberry growers in Eastern Canada and putting forward possible solutions to these issues. The Pest Management Centre's Strawberry Issue Document was used as the basis for the meeting. Proposed solutions reflected the Program's goal of reducing the risks associated with pesticide use.

Ontario Stakeholder Meeting

An Ontario stakeholder meeting was held on April 11, 2006 in Mississauga, Ontario. Attendees included strawberry growers, university researchers and representatives from federal government. Participants prioritized issues of concern to strawberry growers in Ontario and put forward possible solutions to these issues. The Pest Management Centre's Strawberry Issue Document was used as the basis for the meeting. Proposed solutions reflected the Program's goal of reducing the risks associated with pesticide use.

Strawberry Steering Committee

The National Steering Committee is comprised of strawberry representatives from the provinces chosen at the stakeholder meetings. Initial steering committee meetings focussed on developing a reduced risk strategy for strawberry based on information from the stakeholder meetings. As a result, the Steering Committee identified aphid-borne viruses, root weevils (including, black vine weevil), variety development and weed management as their top priority issues.

Research Funded Under the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program

The Pesticide Risk Reduction Program has funded several research projects addressing strawberry issues.

Projects Funded to Date

• Evaluation of low risk weed management options in sweet corn, tomatoes, sugar beets, peppers, cole crops and vine crops (Project Code: MU03-WEED1)
• Evaluation of forecasting systems as fungicide management tools in the control of powdery mildew of strawberry (Project Code: PRR06-080)
• Biological Management of Two-spotted Spider Mites and Cyclamen Mites in Strawberry (Project Code: PRR06-160)
• Reduced Risk Management of Lygus Plant Bugs in Ontario Strawberry (Project Code: PRR06-880)
• Development of a synergistic control technology for root weevils in Strawberries (Project Code: PRR07-530)
• Weed Management Systems for Strawberries: a project to evaluate and to provide tools to assist growers in adopting alternative strategies (Project Code: PRR07-800)
• Field application on Metarhizium anisopliae (Met52) for management of root weevils in berry crops (Project Code: BPI07-090)
• Raising awareness to pesticide risk reduction on the farm for the benefit of health and the environment; and report (Project Code: PRR07-300)

For further updates, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.