Nitrogen levels in the cultivation of strawberries in soilless culture

Abstract

In soilless grown strawberry crops, the nitrogen concentration of the nutrient solution affects plant growth and fruit yield and quality. The present research was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen concentration in the nutrient solution on plant growth and development and fruit yield and quality of this crop. Treatments consisted of five nutrient solutions at nitrogen concentrations of 6.5 (T1), 8.0 (T2), 9.5 (T3), 11.0 (T4) and 12.5 (T5) mmol L-1, in an entirely randomised experimental design with four replications. Ripe fruit yield was determined during the harvest period from June 6th to November 27th, 2009. Number of leaves, shoot and root dry mass and crown diameter were determined at the later date. Number of leaves, shoot and root dry mass and crown diameter decreased by effect of increasing N concentrations in the nutrient solution. Fruit yield and fruit size fitted a polynomial model, with maximum values at 8.9 mmol N L-1. The N concentration used for the strawberry crop in soilless growing systems can be reduced to 8.9 mmol L-1 without any reduction in fruit yield.

Interactive Effects of the Potassium and Nitrogen Relationship on Yield and Quality of Strawberry Grown Under Soilless Conditions

“…This effect is a consequence of an adequate supply of water and N to the crop through irrigation [16], which dilutes the accumulation of soluble solids into the fruit. Similar results were obtained by Andriolo et al [17], who found a decrease in soluble solids in treatments with high doses of nitrogen. Regarding the nutrient factor K + , an increase in the average weight of fruit, and consequently in yield, when high concentrations of K + were used was reported elsewhere [18,19]; in this sense, results showed the relevant role of K + as a main nutrient for an adequate yield [7,20].…”

Earthworms and Fusarium oxysporum: effect on strawberry plant growth and production

“…Due to the anoxic environment of the casts, bacterial populations are dominant, and the availability of the reduced form of nitrogen (NH 4 + ) is higher than oxidized forms (CHAPUIS-LARDY et al, 2010). Considering the high uptake of nitrogen by strawberry plants and the importance of this element in strawberry production, it is probable the increased availability of this nutrient is utilized for fruit production (ANDRIOLO et al, 2011), minimizing the effects of earthworms on the plant growth observed in other studies when compared with this experiment. Other mechanisms also can explain the positive effects of earthworms on plant productivity.…”

Sawdust and Bark-Based Substrates for Soilless Strawberry Production: Irrigation and Electrical Conductivity Management

“…Neither yields nor fruit quality were significantly affected by the fertilizer levels which ranged 2.9–6.1 mmol L -1 for F1 and 5.8–12.2 mmol L -1 for F2 during the experiment ( Table 5 ). Similarly, fruit yield and firmness were not affected by an increase in nitrate concentration of the nutrient solution from 3.75 to 15 mmol L -1 [ 50 , 51 ]. The mean berry weights of 10.70–13.85 g ( Table 5 ) were similar to fruit caliber found with greenhouse-grown ‘Seascape in soilless culture [ 52 ].…”