STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION TRENDS IN POLAND

In Poland's climatic conditions, strawberries usually ripen in June. The fruiting time of each cultivar is short, mostly 3–4 weeks. For many years, Poland has been a major world strawberry producer. During the period of 1980–87, strawberry production increased from 180 to 334 thousand tons. Three basic cultivars are grown: Surprise des Halles, Redgauntlet and Senga Sengana. In production Senga Sengana has continued to predominate. It comprises about 80 % of the total amount of strawberries grown.

All strawberries produced in Poland are grown in an open field. The average plantation size is about 0.3 ha. Plantings usually are established in the fall or in the spring using certified plant material taken directly from propagation beds. Plantations are maintained usually for 3 fruiting seasons. The most significant problems in strawberry plantings are caused by grey mould, white grubs, root weevils, leaf and bud nematodes and strawberry mites.

About 70–80% of the harvested fruit is used by the processing industry, mainly for the production of compote, juice, frozen fruit and other products. A great part of Polish strawberries production is exported. During the period of 1980–87, export of fresh fruit and strawberry products increased from 52 to 112 thousand tons.

The present research program is comprised of different problems connected with agrotechnical factors influencing strawberry yield, development of more efficient methods for pests and disease control and with breeding new varities. It is expected that in the coming years strawberry production in Poland will further increase.