In the world of soft fruit production, particularly strawberries and raspberries grown under field-scale tunnels, efficient irrigation and water management are critical for maximizing yield and quality. Dubois Agrinovation, a leading North American company based in Québec, specializes in innovative irrigation and water storage solutions tailored to these unique growing environments. Martin Charbonneau, VP of Sales and Marketing at Dubois Agrinovation, shares expert insights on how growers can optimize water supply, integrate sustainable rainwater harvesting, and tackle water management challenges in soilless or substrate-based systems.

Targeted Irrigation Solutions for Large Tunnels

When it comes to irrigating large tunnels for strawberries and raspberries, precision and adaptability are key. According to Martin Charbonneau, drip irrigation systems and stakes are the most effective solutions. These systems deliver water directly to the root zone, drastically reducing evaporation losses and improving water use efficiency. This targeted approach is especially valuable in tunnel environments, where controlling moisture levels precisely can significantly impact fruit quality and plant health.

However, Charbonneau emphasizes that irrigation systems must be customized to each site's specific conditions. Factors such as crop type, soil texture, and water quality all influence system design. For instance, sandy soils drain quickly and require emitters to be spaced closer together to ensure uniform moisture distribution. Conversely, heavier soils may allow for wider emitter spacing.

Another critical component of Dubois Agrinovation’s irrigation solutions is integrating fertilizer injection systems with pH control. This technology allows growers to fine-tune nutrient delivery, ensuring plants receive the right balance of nutrients while maintaining optimal pH levels for nutrient uptake. Filtration systems are also incorporated to prevent clogging and maintain consistent water flow, vital for system longevity and performance.

By combining these technologies, growers can achieve precise water and nutrient management tailored to the diverse soil conditions across Canada and the United States, enhancing crop health and resource efficiency.

Harnessing Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainability and Cost Savings

Dubois Agrinovation also champions the integration of rainwater harvesting and storage into tunnel irrigation systems. This approach involves collecting rainwater in dedicated tanks or reservoirs, then filtering and treating it as needed before irrigation. Martin Charbonneau notes that while rainwater harvesting complements existing irrigation infrastructure, its adoption depends on growers’ specific needs and available facilities.

The benefits of rainwater harvesting are multifaceted. Primarily, it reduces dependence on municipal or well water sources, which can be costly or subject to regulatory restrictions. Growers can significantly lower their operating expenses by utilizing free, naturally replenished rainwater. This is particularly advantageous in regions where water pricing or scarcity poses challenges.

Moreover, rainwater harvesting enhances sustainability by conserving local water resources and reducing the environmental footprint of farming operations. It promotes greater autonomy and resilience against climate variability, helping growers maintain consistent production during dry periods.

Dubois Agrinovation’s expertise in integrating rainwater harvesting with advanced irrigation systems enables growers to adopt more sustainable practices while improving profitability over the long term.

Overcoming Water Management Challenges in Soilless and Substrate-Based Systems

Growing soft fruits in soilless or substrate-based systems under field-scale tunnels presents unique water management challenges. Since plants rely entirely on delivered water and nutrients, maintaining water quality and precise irrigation scheduling is crucial.

One major issue is water salinity. High salt levels can impair nutrient absorption and stunt plant growth. To address this, Dubois Agrinovation employs reverse osmosis technology, effectively removing excess salts from irrigation water, ensuring a healthier root environment.

Mineral imbalances are another concern, often arising from the specific composition of local water sources. These imbalances can disrupt nutrient uptake and affect crop development. Dubois Agrinovation offers customized water treatment solutions based on detailed water analyses, allowing growers to correct these imbalances proactively.

Finally, the timing and frequency of watering are critical. Over- or under-watering can both reduce yields and quality. Dubois Agrinovation integrates advanced technologies such as soil humidity sensors, smart irrigation controllers, and automated fertigation systems to optimize irrigation schedules. These tools enable real-time water and nutrient delivery adjustment to match the plants’ actual needs, minimizing waste and maximizing productivity.

Moreover, Martin Charbonneau explains that by combining water treatment innovations with innovative irrigation management, we help growers overcome the complexities of soilless and substrate-based cultivation under tunnels, ensuring consistent, high-quality soft fruit production.

Dubois Agrinovation’s comprehensive approach to irrigation and water storage for field-scale tunnels reflects a deep understanding of the diverse challenges soft fruit growers face in North America. From precision drip irrigation tailored to soil conditions, to sustainable rainwater harvesting, and cutting-edge water treatment and automation technologies, their solutions empower growers to optimize resource use, enhance crop performance, and improve economic and environmental outcomes.

Strengthening Soft Fruit Production: The Dubois and Harnois Partnership Featuring the Innovative TunnelPro Plus ©️ 

Dubois Agrinovation’s comprehensive approach to irrigation and water storage for field-scale tunnels reflects a deep understanding of the diverse challenges soft fruit growers face in North America. Building on this expertise, Dubois has recently partnered with Harnois Greenhouses, a leading North American manufacturer of greenhouse structures, to deliver turnkey solutions explicitly tailored for strawberry, raspberry, and open-field growers across Canada and the United States.

This collaboration combines Harnois’s state-of-the-art high tunnel greenhouses with Dubois’s precision irrigation and fertigation systems, creating integrated solutions that enhance crop protection, yield, and quality while reducing operating costs. Central to this partnership is Harnois’s innovative TunnelPro Plus high polytunnel, a robust and adaptable greenhouse structure designed with growers’ needs in mind.

In short, the TunnelPro Plus features a curved and robust Gothic-roof design that offers superior wind resistance to traditional low-cost high-tunnels, ensuring durability and stability even in challenging weather conditions. Constructed from quality galvanized steel with oval tubing, it minimizes stress on polyethylene films, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance requirements. With a generous top clearance of 18 feet and a minimum layout of three tunnels, it accommodates standard farm machinery, facilitating efficient operations such as pruning and harvesting.

Moreover, the TunnelPro Plus supports sustainable practices with options like screw pile foundations that eliminate the need for concrete and integrated rainwater gutters that enable water collection and conservation-perfectly complementing Dubois Agrinovation’s rainwater harvesting and filtration technologies812.

Dubois and Harnois provide growers with a scalable, cost-effective solution that improves climate control, extends growing seasons, and optimizes water and nutrient delivery. This partnership empowers North American soft fruit producers to confidently transition towards controlled-environment agriculture, enhancing predictability and profitability in an increasingly competitive market.

Conclusion

In today’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, efficient water management and innovative growing structures are essential for maximizing soft fruit production. Dubois Agrinovation’s precision irrigation and water treatment expertise and sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting offer growers tailored solutions that optimize resource use and improve crop quality. Their recent partnership with Harnois Greenhouses further strengthens this offering by integrating the cutting-edge TunnelPro Plus high polytunnel system, designed to enhance durability, climate control, and operational efficiency for North American strawberry, raspberry, and open-field growers.

Dubois and Harnois provide a comprehensive, scalable approach that addresses the unique challenges of field-scale tunnels, helping producers reduce costs, increase yields, and build resilience against climate variability. By adopting these advanced technologies and collaborative solutions, growers can confidently move toward a more sustainable and profitable future in soft fruit cultivation. This edition of Horti-Gen Insights highlights the critical role of innovation in shaping the next generation of successful, eco-friendly farming practices.

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