ISHS Acta Horticulturae 708: V International Strawberry Symposium
POLYETHYLENE MULCH, DEFICIT IRRIGATION, OVERHEAD SPRINKLING AND STRAWBERRY FRUIT BRONZING |
| Authors: | K.D. Larson, S.T. Koike, F.G. Zalom |
| Keywords: | Epidermis, Fragaria × ananassa, soil moisture, solar radiation, sunscald, temperature, vegetative growth |
| Abstract:
Strawberry plants (cv. Commander) were grown with differing polyethylene bed mulches, overhead sprinkler and drip irrigation regimes in 2000 and 2001 to de-termine the effects on plant growth, yield and incidence of Type III bronzing (T3B), a fruit disorder of unknown origin. In 2000, T3B ranged from 1.8 - 3.7% of yield, de-pending on the mulch. Plants on clear, full-bed (CFB) mulch had greater growth and less T3B than those on clear center-strip mulch (CS) or yellow-on-black full-bed mulch, with no effect of mulch on yield or fruit weight. Incidence of T3B was not af-fected by drip irrigation from 250 and 650 L h-1 100 m-1, but microjet sprinkling at 20-min intervals resulted in reduced T3B. Winter in 2001 was cold, with reduced plant growth and increased T3B that ranged from 11.3 - 22% of yield. CFB mulch resulted in greater plant growth, yield, and fruit weight, and less T3B compared with CS or green full-bed mulch. Peak T3B incidence occurred late May to mid-June during high ambient temperatures and irradiances. Withholding drip irrigation from April 11 to June 7, 2001 had no effect on T3B, whereas overhead sprinkling for 20 min twice-weekly resulted in less T3B compared with non-sprinkled plants. Results indicate that high ambient temperatures and radiation contribute to the development of this disor-der, and that plant growth in winter affects yield and T3B. Managing strawberry plantations to optimize plant growth in winter, and to avoid heat and radiation stresses in spring, appear to be effective strategies for reducing the severity of this dis-order. | |
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