Every strawberry crop starts with a runner.
Runners are young strawberry plants produced in specialised growing regions where the climate provides the chilling needed to prepare the plants for flowering once they are planted in the production region. In Australia, important runner-growing regions include Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.
For growers like us in Western Australia, runners are supplied from interstate, making the quality and condition of this planting material an important part of the production cycle.
Getting the Right Planting Material
Not all runners arrive at the same stage of maturity. This can be particularly important for growers looking to plant early.
Runners that are dug early may not have received the required amount of chilling, which can leave them more fragile and prone to failure after planting. There is a commercial reason for wanting to plant early, as early-season fruit can attract higher prices, but this needs to be balanced against the condition of the planting material.
From Runner to Plant
When runners first arrive, they have virtually no active roots. They rely on their stored carbohydrate reserves while new roots develop.
This makes them vulnerable to drying out and heat. Keeping runners cool and fully hydrated and minimising wilting during transport, handling and planting are important steps in helping them establish. The cooler climate of the South West of WA is also an advantage for our farm.
The quality of establishment can have a significant impact on a commercial crop. Research in WA has found considerable variation in plant establishment, with some growers keeping losses to around 5%, while losses in some areas of properties have approached 50%.
Australian Strawberry Varieties
The runners themselves are also part of a changing strawberry industry.
Most varieties grown commercially in Australia have historically been introduced, predominantly from the United States. Australian breeding programs are contributing an increasing number of varieties, with programs in Queensland and Victoria developing varieties that are gaining acceptance within the industry.
Never Running out of Innovation
The industry is also exploring new approaches to producing planting material.
Plug plants produced by culturing runner tips are already common in Europe and are being investigated in Australia. The technique could provide another way to influence early plant vigour and crop timing, potentially giving growers greater flexibility in managing production seasons.
From specialised runner-growing regions to varietal development and new planting techniques, there is considerable work behind the small plant that starts every strawberry crop, and makes them winners.
No runner ups here.
Grower Connect Staff Writer