Articles
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COMPOST TYPES ON THE YIELD OF STRAWBERRY CV. ELSANTA IN POLYTHENE TUNNELS
Article number
439_120
Pages
717 – 724
Language
Abstract
The effect of different compost types on the yield of the strawberry cultivar Elsanta was investigated in three experiments which were carried out in large polythene tunnels in 1993. Two of the experiments were carried out using 5 L pots as containers.
The third experiment was carried out in peat modules.
The purpose of the experiments was to compare the standard compost made up of two parts of medium grade peat and one part of sand with different peat grades and different ratios of peat and sand.
In the first experiment the effect of the three peat grades with and without sand was compared.
Use of sand with coarse grade peat did not affect fruit yield but fruit yield was reduced when sand was not incorporated in coarse and fine peat in pots.
Fruit production occurred earlier in the compost containing sand.
In the case of coarse peat, peat: sand ratios had no effect on yield but a 2:1 peat: sand ratio was superior to a 3:1 peat sand ratio in the case of fine peat.
In the modules peat grade had no effect on fruit yield.
The results of these experiments show that sand may be excluded from the compost when coarse peat is used but fruit production may be delayed by 3–4 days.
The inclusion of sand increases the weight of the compost and adds to the cost of compost production.
Therefore, the exclusion of sand leads to savings in house structure and production costs.
The third experiment was carried out in peat modules.
The purpose of the experiments was to compare the standard compost made up of two parts of medium grade peat and one part of sand with different peat grades and different ratios of peat and sand.
In the first experiment the effect of the three peat grades with and without sand was compared.
Use of sand with coarse grade peat did not affect fruit yield but fruit yield was reduced when sand was not incorporated in coarse and fine peat in pots.
Fruit production occurred earlier in the compost containing sand.
In the case of coarse peat, peat: sand ratios had no effect on yield but a 2:1 peat: sand ratio was superior to a 3:1 peat sand ratio in the case of fine peat.
In the modules peat grade had no effect on fruit yield.
The results of these experiments show that sand may be excluded from the compost when coarse peat is used but fruit production may be delayed by 3–4 days.
The inclusion of sand increases the weight of the compost and adds to the cost of compost production.
Therefore, the exclusion of sand leads to savings in house structure and production costs.
Publication
Authors
F.S. MacNaeidhe
Keywords
Fragaria x ananassa, peat, sand, peat grades, flowering time, fruiting time
Online Articles (156)