Diversity and activity value analysis of soil microbes that supports carefully cultivated strawberries in the great outdoors

Ibaraki Tsuzuku Farm Representative Daisuke Tsuzuku

At the time of interview 2017

Tsuzuku Farm is located in Hitachiomiya City (former Gozenyama Village) in the northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture.Surrounded by the rich nature of the Naka River and the grand Gozenyama, we grow and sell strawberries. “The soil microbial diversity and activity value was a high score of 1,794,000 (deviation value: 77.9).

Q. Please tell us how you got into farming.

We are a family of four, my wife and two boys.Originally, I worked at a construction company in Tokyo.My family used to run a ryokan in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, so I dreamed of running a pension in the future and looked for pension candidate sites every holiday.
By chance, I fell in love with the scenery of the Gozenyama area in Hitachi Omiya City at first sight, and decided to start farming instead of running a pension, which seemed difficult to attract customers.One of the reasons I started living in Satoyama was that I wanted to raise my children in an environment blessed with nature.

Good quality compost and rice bran are used to prepare the soil.

Q. Please tell us about strawberry management.

Received the XNUMXst Ibaraki Strawberry Grand Prix Gold Award

Before I started farming, I had no farming experience.
We rented land from 2007 and are currently producing strawberries in a 35a greenhouse.In addition, about 30 kinds of vegetables are grown outdoors.After picking strawberries by hand, we eat them without washing them, so we pay attention to safety and security.
We continue to grow strawberries by using microorganisms to improve the soil and using natural enemies to reduce the amount of pesticides applied.
We are currently cultivating a total of 6 varieties: Ruby Drop (Tsuzuku Nouen's original variety), Ibara Kiss, Hitachihime (Ibaraki Prefecture's original variety), Tochiotome, Akihime, and Beni Hoppe.
At the Ibaraki Prefecture Strawberry Grand Prix, Tochiotome in 2012 and Ibara Kiss in 2014 won the Gold Award.A strawberry picking house is also open from around January to mid-May every year.

Q. Where did you learn about soil microbial diversity and activity value analysis?

When powdery mildew broke out in the past, I reviewed the soil preparation and increased good mold in the soil as a countermeasure.Since then, powdery mildew has stopped appearing, and I was interested in the relationship between soil preparation and microorganisms.
I had the opportunity to listen to Mr. Sakuramoto, CEO of DGC Technology, at a study session of the GNP (Ganbaru Farmers Project), which is formed by fellow farmers in the northern region of Ibaraki Prefecture. Since then, we have been conducting soil microbial diversity and activity value analysis every year.

Strawberry Picking House (You can eat XNUMX kinds of strawberries!)

Click here for inquiries about Tsuzuku Farm Strawberry Picking

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Q. How did you feel about the test results?

I received a series of high numerical test results, but I honestly didn't realize the meaning of the numbers themselves.
However, I was surprised at the high deviation value of nearly 80.While learning about soil microorganisms such as the function of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria by self-study, (1) basal fertilizer is reduced to about 3/XNUMX of the usual amount and microbial materials are added, and (XNUMX) solar heat disinfection is performed. I felt that my efforts were being rewarded.

Strawberry picking scene with local children invited

Q. Please tell us about the future direction of management.

The wall of the ridge where strawberries are planted is full of actinomycetes

I am happy to see that the soil microbial diversity and activity values are high.However, in the future, while being conscious of the value, I would like to practice the balance with labor and save the trouble of work.
We believe that cultivation management with an awareness of soil microbial diversity and activity values will lead to overall work efficiency.
Also, I wanted to grow blueberries before I started farming, so I would like to open a "berry garden" in the future.In addition to picking, I would like more people to enjoy barbecuing and turning it into a tourist farm where people can gather.
Furthermore, I am dreaming of increasing the number of strawberry farms along National Route 123, where the next farm is, and creating a “Strawberry Highway”.