Favourability of pedo-climatic conditions in strawberry cultivation in Giarmata (Timiș). Case study

The commune of Giarmata (Timiș County), located on the last branches of the Vinga Plain and in the Bega River basin, presents a pedological mosaic dominated by vertic chernozems, vertosols and gleiosols with tendencies of gleyization/salinization in depth, along with alluviosols and eutricambosols on smaller areas. The temperate-continental climate with sub-Mediterranean influences (precipitation of 600–650 mm/year; sunshine duration of 2,200–2,300 hours/year; hot summers and relatively mild winters) confers a notable agricultural potential for strawberry cultivation, a species with moderate heat requirements, sensitive to excess water, salts and compaction. In the paper, the properties of local soils (fine texture, shrinkage/swelling, poor internal drainage, high local water table, risks of salinity/alkalinity) were correlated with the requirements of strawberry cultivation and technological recommendations were made: land modeling (raised beds), drainage and mulching, drip irrigation with EC monitoring, chemical corrections (gypsum on alkaline soils), organic matter supply and early cold rain protection systems. Under favorable pedo-climatic conditions (well-drained chernozem/eutricambosol, pH 5.5–6.5, EC<1 dS/m), the production potential in open field is 15–25 t/ha, and in intensive system with foil/solariums 25–40 t/ha, with fruit qualities (TSS, firmness) competitive for the local market. The integration of water conservation practices and salinity control is essential in years with irregular rainfall and episodes of drought/excessive rain. In conclusion, the soils of Giarmata are suitable for strawberry on surfaces not affected by excess humidity/salinity, provided that a rigorous pedo-hydric management and a technology adapted to local soil types are implemented