Favourability of pedo-climatic conditions in strawberry cultivation in Giarmata (Timiș). Case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59463/tm7xt935Keywords:
Giarmata; Fragaria × ananassa; vertic chernozem; vertosol; salinity; drainage; pedo-climatic favorability; fruit qualityAbstract
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
References
Allen, R. G., Pereira, L. S., Raes, D., & Smith, M. (1998), Crop Evapotranspiration – Guidelines for Computing Crop Water Requirements (FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 56). FAO, Rome. https://www.fao.org/3/x0490e/x0490e00.htm
ANM (2020–2024), Climatological Data and Agro-meteorological Bulletins for Timiș County. National Meteorological Administration, Bucharest. https://www.meteoromania.ro
CIULCA, S., CARP, N., MADOŞA, E., CIULCA, A., Șumălan, R. (2017), Assessment of Combining Ability Effects for Several Yield and Quality Traits in a Complete Diallel Cross of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Not Bot Horti Agrobo, 45(2):517-524. Notulae Botanicae HortiCluj-NapocaAgrobotanici Print ISSN 0255-965X; DOI:10.15835/nbha45210873
Denaxa, N.-K., Nomikou, A., Malamos, N., Liveri, E., Roussos, P. A. și Papasotiropoulos, V. (2022), The effect of salinity on plant growth parameters and bioactive compounds in the fruit of two strawberry varieties, together with monitoring of environmental conditions. Agronomy, 12(10), 2279. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102279
FAO (2015), World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2015: International Soil Classification System for Naming Soils and Creating Legends for Soil Maps. FAO, Rome. https://www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf
FAO (2023), Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 Update: Crop Water Productivity and Climate Adaptation. FAO, Rome. https://www.fao.org
Ianoş, Gh., Goian, M., (1995), Soils of Banat – evolution and agrochemical characteristics, Ed. Mirton, Timişoara, 272 pp.
ICDP Pitești (2020), Technological Guide for Strawberry Cultivation. Research and Development Institute for Fruit Growing Pitești-Mărăcineni. http://www.icdp.ro
Liang, K., Zhang, X., McCarty, G.W. et al. (2025), From basin to golf course: Conservative tillage improves soil health but exacerbates hypoxia. npj Sustain. Agric. 3, 47 https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00090-0
Liu, H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Z., & Wang, W. (2024), Effects of saline irrigation on strawberry fruit yield and quality. Agronomy, 14, 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010202
Maas, E. V., & Hoffman, G. J. (1977),. Crop salt tolerance—Current assessment. Journal of the Irrigation and Drainage Division, 103(IR2), 115–134. https://doi.org/10.1061/JRCEA4.0001137
Medrano-Macías, J., et al. (2021), Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of strawberry plants under saline stress. Horticulturae, 7(8), 214. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7080214
Meteoblue (2024), Climate and Agroclimate Data for Timișoara and Giarmata (Romania). https://www.meteoblue.com
Mihuț, C., Niță, L., (2018), Atmospheric Factors used characterize soil resources https://www.rjas.ro/issue_detail/44, Timișoara, pp. 114 120.
Mihuț, C., Duma, S., & Ilieș, L. (2024), Pedological characteristics and agricultural suitability of soils in the Banat region, Western Romania. Research Journal of Agricultural Science, 56(2), 71–84. https://rjas.info/art_article.php?id=427
Navarro-Torre, S., Díaz, M., & Serrano, M. (2023), Strawberry irrigation management under variable EC conditions: effects on yield and fruit quality. Plants, 12, 1872. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101872
Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) (2011), Technological Guide for Strawberry Cultivation in Romania. Bucharest. https://www.madr.ro
Şmuleac, L., Rujescu, C., Șmuleac, A., Imbrea, F., Radulov, I., Manea, D., Ienciu, A., Adamov, T., Pașcalău, R. (2020), The impact of climate change in the Banat Plain, western Romania, on water accessibility for crop production in agriculture. Agriculture. 10(10):437. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10100437
