Effect of Fruit Pruning and Potassium Application on Growth and Production of Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis).

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of fruit pruning and the application of Potassium on the growth and production of strawberry plants (Fragaria chiolensis). This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with two factors. The first factor was fruit pruning consisting of 4 levels: P0 = No pruning, P1 = 1 pruning, P2 = 2 pruning, P3 = 3 pruning. The second factor is Potassium fertilizer consisting of 4 levels: K0 = 0 g/plant, K1 = 2 g/plant, K2 = 4 g/plant, and K3 = 6 g/plant. The results showed that pruning 3 fruits/plant increased plant height, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, fresh weight, and dry weight. Applying potassium fertilizer up to a dose of 6 g/plant can increase plant height, flowering time, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, wet weight, and dry weight. The interaction between fruit pruning and potassium application had no significant effect on all observed parameters.