Macro and Micro Tunnels provide several
benefits for strawberry growers in some environments:
Protect plants and fruit from wind, rain and hail damage.
Extend the production range to high elevations.
Most strawberry varieties
were selected for their performance under cool conditions attained at
elevations near sea level. However, in the international arena,
growers meet the cool temperature requirements by producing at high
elevations. Under these 'high elevation' environments, plants are
exposed to fluctuations in temperature and luminosity. Tunnels
stabilize these conditions.
Decrease insect damage.
Mites use wind currents to
move into new environments. They actually spin a short web that acts
as a parachute that catches wind currents and can transport them hundreds
of meters at a time. By providing a barrier to wind currents
and a cover to the plant canopy, the tunnels greatly reduce the
introduction of mites and other pests to the production site.
Tunnels should be installed after planting and removed following final
harvest. Disassembly allows for rainfall to leach salts from soil profile.
Also, complete tillage of the soil profile is possible after the tunnels have
been removed. Growers in Colombia that have used permanent structures
have experienced a buildup of salts that eventually make strawberry production
un-successful.
Growers in Mexico estimate their cost of installation at approximately,
$15,000 per hectare (Feb. 2000).
Macro tunnels in Morocco
Macro Tunnel in Central Mexico
Interior structure of tunnel.
Interior structure
Micro Tunnels - with perforated plastic
Micro Tunnel with sides lifted for harvest and
ventilation.
