Articles
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AUTUMN AND OVERWINTER COVER FOR STRAWBERRY
Article number
567_113
Pages
527 – 530
Language
English
Abstract
The effect of autumn and over-winter protection on the yield and timing of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) yield were studied in the varieties of Solprins, Nora, Honeoye, Zefyr, Korona, Polka, Lambada and Bounty.
A non-woven cover (30 g/m2) was spread in autumn in 1996 in October after the soil had frozen and in autumn 1997 in September when the average temperature had been below +9 °C for seven days.
The cover was removed in spring after the night frosts had ceased.
Temperature conditions were followed in covered and uncovered areas with Testo Data Loggers.
The variations in temperature in the soil and in plant stand layers in autumn and spring were more even in areas under cover than in those without cover.
Moreover, temperature conditions under cover in autumn and spring remained more favourable for overwintering and for flower initiation.
An early spreading of the cover before freezing of the soil proved to be more effective than late spreading of the cover after the soil had already frozen.
The varieties that particularly benefited from overwinter protection were Honeoye, Polka and Lambada.
The start of growth and flowering under cover took place earlier and the portion of early yield (the first three picking times) became greater.
Differentiation of flower buds was monitored by an emission scanning electron microscope in varieties of Honeoye, Solprins, Polka and Bounty.
The use of a non-woven cover accelerated floral morphogenesis.
There were, however, quantitative and time-related differences between different varieties.
A non-woven cover (30 g/m2) was spread in autumn in 1996 in October after the soil had frozen and in autumn 1997 in September when the average temperature had been below +9 °C for seven days.
The cover was removed in spring after the night frosts had ceased.
Temperature conditions were followed in covered and uncovered areas with Testo Data Loggers.
The variations in temperature in the soil and in plant stand layers in autumn and spring were more even in areas under cover than in those without cover.
Moreover, temperature conditions under cover in autumn and spring remained more favourable for overwintering and for flower initiation.
An early spreading of the cover before freezing of the soil proved to be more effective than late spreading of the cover after the soil had already frozen.
The varieties that particularly benefited from overwinter protection were Honeoye, Polka and Lambada.
The start of growth and flowering under cover took place earlier and the portion of early yield (the first three picking times) became greater.
Differentiation of flower buds was monitored by an emission scanning electron microscope in varieties of Honeoye, Solprins, Polka and Bounty.
The use of a non-woven cover accelerated floral morphogenesis.
There were, however, quantitative and time-related differences between different varieties.
Publication
Authors
M. Pietilä, A. Aflatuni, A. Kauppi, K. Karp
Keywords
non-woven cover, variety, cultivation technique, inflorescence, floral morphogenesis
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