4_2_rec_soft_fruits

Sites with significant infestations of soil insects (e.g. Melolonthaspp., Otiorhynchus spp.), plant-parasitic or virus-transmitting nematodes should be excluded from production.

It is recommended that specific crops with nematode reducing potential such as Tagetes spp., Brassicaceae (Raphanus sativus, Eruca sativa, Sinapis alba) or Sorghum spp. are sown and/or incorporated to reduce nematode infestation prior to planting sensitive crops.

It is recommended that specific crops with soil-borne insects reducing potential such as buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) are grown as pre-planting crops and incorporated into the soil at bloom to reduce insect larvae infestation (e.g. Melolontha spp.) prior to planting sensitive crops.

A break of at least five years is generally recommended for the different crops, especially if root pathogens are present in the soil (Phytophthora, Verticillium, Armillaria, Rosellinia, nematodes, etc). For strawberry, a crop rotation of two crops in three years followed by a three-year break is advised.

In order to avoid the spread of pests and diseases, the spatial and temporal separation between successive soft fruit crops should be maximised.