ROOT GROWTH AND STRUCTURE IN STRAWBERRY AS AF-FECTED BY ORGANIC RESIDUES

This work studied root growth and the accumulation of residues (self-produced or added) in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) grown in bench-rhizotrons.
Roots showed alternating phases of elongation and ramification, related to shoot and root physiology.
New crown roots had a positive geotropic behaviour, and grew a few mil-limetres apart, responses likely due to self-produced allelochemicals.
When eluates from strawberry residues were applied locally to the substrate, roots were red and no root hairs or laterals were formed.
In this case, roots grew closer together and were deeper than usual.
This supports the hypothesis of an allelopathic control of root growth through the soil, which guides the roots in space occupation and distancing.
The addition of residues from barley and broad bean reduced the negative impact of strawberry eluates.
These results justify the practice of making green manure with barley and broad bean before replanting strawberries in the same field after a short rotation.

V International Strawberry Symposium

D. Neri, G. Savini

Fragaria × ananassa, allelopathy, organic debris, lateral root, root architecture

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.708.1