March 2024 - 17

BERRIES
create an ideal soil texture for fumigation, bed shaping
and planting transplants.
Pezzini rotates every two to three years with a
vegetable cash crop or cover crop.
Well-drained ground combined with varieties that can
withstand soilborne diseases including phytophthora
and verticillium are important in strawberry production.
Fumigating and weeding can help knock them back to
give transplants time to become stronger, Pezzini said.
Two spotted spider mites, thrips and lygus remain big
pest threats, though pressures vary by season. Last year,
thrips pressure was high due to overwintering in the tall
grasses in the nearby hillsides, which grew well due to a
wet winter.
Pezzini deploys beneficial insects, persimilis mites, to
control the destructive spider mites. Timing of releases
and monitoring fields for populations are critical for
successful control. To complement releases as predator
populations increase, a soft spray on the predator mites
is applied as needed.
Pezzini uses drones to spread beneficial insects,
particularly in winter when fields are often too wet to enter.
Making passes over the fields, drone cylinders rotate and
release predatory mites about 15 to 30 feet above the plants.
Pezzini said drones are a good example of using
mechanization in the fields to improve efficiencies and
control costs. However, the technology comes with
strict licensing requirements, requires licensed pilots
and clearance from the nearby airport. Drone services
are outsourced.
Pezzini has long used drip irrigation. During
transplanting, overhead sprinklers are employed. After
the first month or two, the pipes are removed to switch
to drip irrigation. Pezzini Berry Farms uses 16-inch
spacings on his 52-inch beds. Two lines of drip tape per
bed keeps soil hydrated but not over-saturated, supplying
water and fertilizer when needed.
The color of the plastic mulch over the beds provides
some control over plant timing. Lighter colors produce
cooler bed temperatures with darker shades producing
warmer and earlier crops. Silver mulch with black
underneath produces a more neutral effect and the black
helps with weed control.
The challenges of growing a new crop every year keeps
Pezzini going.
" I enjoy the challenges every year brings and obstacles
that come along from weather to managing inputs and
dealing with pests and diseases during the season and
rewards of producing a strong and healthy crop through
market fluctuations all year long, and keeping up with
exciting new developments in the strawberry industry, "
he said.
FRUITGROWERSNEWS.COM | 17

https://sym-agro.com/ http://www.FRUITGROWERSNEWS.COM

March 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2024

Editor's Letter
Plant & Soil Health: Scientists study raspberry root rot and wilt
Pest Management: Pest update
Berries: Tech aids Salinas Valley grower
Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference: Lawton Pearson named Mr. Peach
Organic Grower Winter 2024
Business: The surprising challenge
Farm Market & Agritourism: Keeping CSA members engaged and loyal
Ag Labor Review: 60 years of advocating for agricultural employers
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
March 2024 - 1
March 2024 - 2
March 2024 - 3
March 2024 - Editor's Letter
March 2024 - 5
March 2024 - Plant & Soil Health: Scientists study raspberry root rot and wilt
March 2024 - 7
March 2024 - 8
March 2024 - 9
March 2024 - Pest Management: Pest update
March 2024 - 11
March 2024 - Berries: Tech aids Salinas Valley grower
March 2024 - 13
March 2024 - 14
March 2024 - 15
March 2024 - 16
March 2024 - 17
March 2024 - Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference: Lawton Pearson named Mr. Peach
March 2024 - 19
March 2024 - 20
March 2024 - Organic Grower Winter 2024
March 2024 - 22
March 2024 - 23
March 2024 - 24
March 2024 - Business: The surprising challenge
March 2024 - 26
March 2024 - 27
March 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism: Keeping CSA members engaged and loyal
March 2024 - 29
March 2024 - Ag Labor Review: 60 years of advocating for agricultural employers
March 2024 - 31
March 2024 - Classifieds
March 2024 - 33
March 2024 - Advertiser Index
March 2024 - 35
March 2024 - 36
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