ISHS Acta Horticulturae 567: IV International Strawberry Symposium
MICROPROPAGATED STRAWBERRIES ON THE FIELD |
| Authors: | S. Karhu, K. Hakala |
| Keywords: | field performance, Fragaria, in vitro, phenotype, plant production |
| Abstract:
Micropropagated (MP) strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) plants were compared with conventionally propagated runner (RP) plants in field conditions in order to determine whether micropropagation affects their growth and cropping. Planting of cvs. Zefyr and Senga Sengana took place in spring and the plants were evaluated during three growing seasons. MP plants of both cultivars had more branched crowns (stems) than RP plants. MP plants of cv. Senga Sengana also produced a larger number of runners during the first year but not thereafter. MP plants of cv. Senga Sengana grew more vigorously than RP plants during the second growing season, and the same was observed for MP plants of Zefyr during the first two growing seasons. Cv. Zefyr was heavily infected by strawberry mildew during the third growing season, but no difference due to the propagation method was found. Two years after planting cv. Senga Sengana MP plants started to flower a few days before RP plants, leading to a longer blooming time, but the opposite was evident in cv. Zefyr. MP plants of cv. Senga Sengana produced more berries and a higher yield than RP plants one year after planting, and more berries but a marketable yield of equal size one year later. Yielding was equal in cv. Zefyr irrespective of propagation method. The results suggest that the micropropagated plants of the cultivars studied can crop well and grow without large, undesirable alterations in flowering or in growth habit. | |
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