PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF STRAWBERRY INDUSTRY IN TAIWAN

Strawberry is a very popular fruit in Taiwan. The growing season is from September to April. The average yield is 12 ton/ha and the total production is up to 7.2 thousand tons every year. The major cultivars grown are ‘Taoyuan No. 1’ and ‘Taoyuan No. 3’. The commonly occurring insect pests and diseases are two-spotted spider mite, powdery mildew, anthracrose, etc. Introduction of insect natural predators Mallada basalis and Amblyseius womersleyi Schicha to control two-spotted spider mite on strawberry fields has been the common practice of farmers. This practice which was developed by Miaoli Agricultural Research and Extension Station has been proven to be a very effective way of controlling spider mite since 1998. The modified elevated bench cultural method has been developed by the same Station since 2001. The structure could be used for ten years and the growing media can continuously be up to 4-5 years. The high planting density can increase up to 50-100% the yield of strawberry.