INFLUENCE OF INTERCROPPING ON SOIL MICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND STRAWBERRY DEVELOPMENT

Strawberry is one of the most important berry crop grown around world and their consumption increases every year. The introduction new practices promoting farm sustainability long-term soil health in strawberry production systems very essential. Towards environment- climate-friendly farming intercropping can be used to improve microbiological activity biodiversity, reduce use pesticides mineral fertilizers, while right choice intercropped plants great importance achieve these goals. trials on were established Latvia 2021. Three treatments with different plant rotations, including crimson clover, pea, garlic, marigold, winter rye mix vetch, compared conventional growing using straw mulch. Trial was installed three locations: two organic farms Institute Horticulture (LatHort). Thus representing climatically regions conditions. Strawberries 1.2 m distant rows, where treatments, each second interrow occupied by companion plants. Soil microbial evaluated during vegetation seasons determining respiration rate (SRR) dehydrogenase (DHA) several times per season 2021 2022. vegetative development at end season. During investigation period, fluctuated seasons, depending In 2021, SRR varied from 1.9 – 3.3 CO2 mg L- 1, 2022, 2.1 - 3.4 L-1. DHA 46 134 INTF, µL×????−1 × h 60 101 Intercropping had low influence results differed within location. biomass among locations highest above-ground observed LatHort system (790 g plant-1).