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Description
The objective of the project is to develop sustainably economic and environmental solutions that will enable a substantial increase in high-quality production of fresh strawberry, red raspberry, blackberry and currants and their processed products in Poland and Norway. This will be achieved through the implementation of seven work packages covering the following research areas: environmental effects on flower and dormancy initiation and breaking of dormancy in Rubus and Ribes species, innovative non-chemical technologies for pest and disease-free transplant production of berry crops, development and optimization of innovative cultivation techniques for season extension, quality improvement and safety of berries, adaptation of farming systems to changing climate conditions and weather extremes, optimization of the berry production potential by using the metaxenia phenomenon, improvement of postharvest treatments and storage technologies to extend shelf life of berry fruits and optimization of processing technologies for development of innovative berry fruit products. The project will develop sustainable technologies that will reduce labor costs and pesticide use, improve the economy and reduce environmental costs; enhance a resource efficient and profitable berry production and consumption in Poland and Norway and ensure mutual communication with the small fruit industry. The recipients of the project results will be farms specializing in the cultivation of berry plants in open field and under covers, as well as small fruit industry. Cooperation with Graminor and NIBIO will enable study of flowering and dormancy initiation and breaking as well as the development of modern systems of soilless production under cover. NIBIO will also elaborate non-chemical methods for disease and pest control. The contribution of INHORT is mainly the explanation and practical use of the metaxenia phenomenon and development of innovative methods of fruit storage and processing.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop economically and ecologically sustainable solutions enabling the dynamic development of high-quality production of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants (red and black) and their processed products in Poland and Norway.
The project was provided by the National Institute of Horticultural Research – Poland, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research and Graminor Ltd., Norway on 4 berry species: strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and currants.
In 2021-2023 studies were conducted on: the impact of environmental conditions on the flower initiation and plant dormancy, development of innovative non-chemical technologies for the production of disease and pest free plant material, development of cultivation technologies to extend harvest period and improving fruit quality such as testing of various substrates in soilless production or technologies of fruit production with a limited use of plant protection agents, use of biostimulators, macro- and micronutrients, various methods of row-crop cultivation, pruning and shrub formation, estimation of irrigation needs consisting in the integration of measurement modules with a telemetric data transmission and analysis system for more precise irrigation and fertilization control of berry crop cultivations, the influence of pollen of paternal forms on the fruit quality (metaxenia phenomenon), improvement of post-harvest quality of fruits by the optimization of post-harvest treatment and storage conditions and development of functional food production technology as well as the possibility of using post-production waste for the development of new wholesome berry products.
These improvements contributed to the growth of profitability and sustainability of berry production by developing innovative production technologies to improve the potential of plants and reduce the use of synthetic products. The developed methods of fruit storage and processing allowed for the expansion of the availability of domestic fruits on the fresh market and an increased in the range of products with a high content of health-promoting compounds. The knowledge gained will help improve the berry production process for both small and large producers. It will also increase consumer awareness of healthy food.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with the Norwegian partner allowed for simultaneous research in both countries on the suitability of various substrates for soilless strawberry production under cover. The Norwegian partner provided an innovative wood fiber substrate, which was used individually or in a 50:50 mixture with peat substrate. Research in NIBIO and INHORT showed that the wood fiber and peat substrate mix is highly effective in soilless strawberry production. Fruit grown in this substrate in INHORT was firmer and much tastier than from the other three types of substrates. Both partners stated that the use of a substrate mix based on 50% wood fiber and 50% peat in soilless cultivation is economically viable, does not require any special adjustments and additional costs as well as allows for reduction of use of non-renewable matter (peat) and its replacement with post-production waste of the wood industry (wood fiber).