Strawberry Cultivation by Direct-planting Using Runner Plantlets Propagated from Fruit-harvested Plants

Abstract

In the cultivation of strawberry plants using an elevated bench system, we studied methods of raising plantlets with the aim of reducing labor time and nursery facility requirements. First, the direct-planting of strawberry cuttings produced in a plantlet production facility was investigated. The rate of root establishment was increased under cold treatment and the total yield was similar to that obtained in a conventional nursery. Second, runner plantlets produced from fruit-harvested plants were planted directly in the bench. This achieved a similar level of productivity compared with conventional nursery runner plantlets and runner plantlets from a plantlet-producting facility. However, it was not possible to avoid missing plantlets using these methods. Therefore, the direct-planting of runner plantlets connected to fruit-harvested plants was tested, and this method increased the rate of root establishment and resulted in a similar yield to conventional nursery methods. These results indicated that the directplanting of such runner plantlets could reduce labor time and nursery facility requirements.