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Press Release from Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture

Stable Strawberry Production Starts from Seedling Management - Taoyuan DARES Highlights Five Key Practices

August 27, 2025

　　Healthy seedlings are the foundation of the strawberry industry, as their quality directly affects field management, yield, production costs, and farmers’ income. Since summer is the critical season for strawberry seedling cultivation, Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture (hereinafter Taoyuan DARES), reminds farmers to focus on two essential aspects: strengthening seedling-stage management and preparing disinfected cultivation media before transplanting. These measures help improve cultivation efficiency, enhance plant vigor, and reduce disease risks.

　　To support the sustainable development of the strawberry industry, Taoyuan DARES has outlined five key recommendations for seedling management:
　　1. Use healthy parent plants to prevent pathogen transmission- Farmers are advised to select healthy mother plants for seedling propagation and avoid retaining plants on their own, which could carry pathogens into the nursery stage.
　　2. Regulate the microclimate of the nursery environment to reduce heat stress - While greenhouse facilities can protect seedlings from rainfall, summer conditions often lead to excessive heat inside, causing stress on young plants. The use of shading nets, ventilation systems, and misting devices is recommended to stabilize temperature and humidity, thereby supporting robust seedling growth.
　　3. Choose appropriate cultivation media to promote root health -Depending on the nursery site, farmers should select media with good aeration, water retention, and nutrient-holding capacity to ensure healthy root development.
　　4. Strengthen disease prevention and inspection – The seedling stage is highly vulnerable to disease infection. Farmers should enhance water management, monitor temperature and humidity inside the facility, and regularly inspect seedlings for wilting, leaf spots, or dieback. Diseased plants should be promptly removed, and recommended treatments should be applied.
　　5. Conduct thorough cleaning and media disinfection before transplanting – Prior to planting, growers should completely clean the facility and disinfect the cultivation media. Hot water irrigation or solarization with plastic film can effectively reduce residual soil-borne pathogens.

　　Taoyuan DARES emphasizes that healthy strawberry seedlings and clean cultivation media are the foundation of stable strawberry production. By implementing these practices early, farmers can not only reduce the risk of disease outbreaks but also improve the overall efficiency and quality of field operations.

Contact Information

Spokesperson and Deputy Director: Hsi-Pin Shih　Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 101 / Mobile: 0988-622-100
Hsinpu Branch, Associate Researcher: Kuo-Wei Lo　Tel: 03-5894949 ext. 12
Agricultural Extension Section, Associate Researcher: Shing-Jong Lay　Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 410

Figure 1.Selecting healthy mother plants to prevent the risk of pathogen transmission

Figure 2.Choosing clean and suitable media to promote root health

Figure 3.Regulating nursery microclimate to reduce heat stress and strengthening disease inspection

Figure 4.Completing thorough cleaning and media disinfection before transplanting