Articles
Nitrogen fertilization in fall enhances the productivity of day-neutral strawberry ‘Albion’ under low tunnels in southeastern United States
Article number
1465_40
Pages
261 – 268
Language
English
Abstract
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) production in the subtropical southeastern United States typically practices an annual plasticulture system with June-bearing cultivars, transplanting in late fall and harvesting for only 5 to 7 weeks in May of the following year.
This system does not meet the year-round demands from consumers for locally produced fresh strawberries.
To extend the harvest season, this research tried to tackle both fall and spring harvests.
The objective was to investigate the feasibility of fall production of day-neutral strawberries with increased nitrogen addition under low tunnels (LT). The trial was conducted at the Sandhills Research Station (Jackson Springs, NC) with day-neutral cultivar ‘Albion’ (2017/18 season). The field was fumigated with Telone in early August and preplant fertilizer (10-5-25) was added at the rate of 67 kg ha‑1 N. Treatments included 8 weekly fertigation of 4-0-8-2Ca liquid fertilizer at the rate of 0, 3.9, 7.8 or 11.2 kg ha‑1 N beginning at the first bloom in the fall.
LT were installed on October 17. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with three replications.
Both plant biomass and yield increased commensurate with the increasing N rates.
All treatments reached 50% bloom 40 days after transplanting.
The total fall yields were 42.9, 60.0, 63.9 and 75.7 g plant‑1 for the four treatments, respectively.
Marketable yields maximized with the weekly 11.2 kg ha‑1 N treatment (72.9 g plant‑1). The total yield in spring ranged from 500.4 to 623.8 g plant‑1 but without significant difference between treatments.
The leaf petiole N was not in sufficient range (3-4%) during peak harvests, but P, K and Ca were all in the sufficient range throughout the season, regardless of treatments.
Fruit length, width and Brix were not affected by treatments.
Our results suggest that growers would be profitable using LT and with weekly fertigation of N at 7.8 kg ha‑1 in fall.<
This system does not meet the year-round demands from consumers for locally produced fresh strawberries.
To extend the harvest season, this research tried to tackle both fall and spring harvests.
The objective was to investigate the feasibility of fall production of day-neutral strawberries with increased nitrogen addition under low tunnels (LT). The trial was conducted at the Sandhills Research Station (Jackson Springs, NC) with day-neutral cultivar ‘Albion’ (2017/18 season). The field was fumigated with Telone in early August and preplant fertilizer (10-5-25) was added at the rate of 67 kg ha‑1 N. Treatments included 8 weekly fertigation of 4-0-8-2Ca liquid fertilizer at the rate of 0, 3.9, 7.8 or 11.2 kg ha‑1 N beginning at the first bloom in the fall.
LT were installed on October 17. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with three replications.
Both plant biomass and yield increased commensurate with the increasing N rates.
All treatments reached 50% bloom 40 days after transplanting.
The total fall yields were 42.9, 60.0, 63.9 and 75.7 g plant‑1 for the four treatments, respectively.
Marketable yields maximized with the weekly 11.2 kg ha‑1 N treatment (72.9 g plant‑1). The total yield in spring ranged from 500.4 to 623.8 g plant‑1 but without significant difference between treatments.
The leaf petiole N was not in sufficient range (3-4%) during peak harvests, but P, K and Ca were all in the sufficient range throughout the season, regardless of treatments.
Fruit length, width and Brix were not affected by treatments.
Our results suggest that growers would be profitable using LT and with weekly fertigation of N at 7.8 kg ha‑1 in fall.<
Publication
Authors
S. Gu, J. Mays
Keywords
Fragaria × ananassa, fertility, mineral nutrients, plasticulture, season extension
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
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