“J” Rooting Does Not Affect the Performance of Florida Strawberry Transplants

Abstract

Abstract Strawberry transplants set in Florida are often “J” rooted when planted. With the roots in an unnatural arrangement at planting as opposed to a more vertical arrangement it may effect establishment and subsequent growth and yield. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was implemented to determine the effect of “J” rooting on two varieties of strawberry, Oso Grande' and ‘Sweet Charlie’. Plants were placed in traditional holes and “J” rooted or placed in enlarged holes where roots were allowed to be orientated vertically. No differences were detected for any measured parameter among treatment combinations. Therefore, it is concluded that “J” rooting does not affect transplant performance in a Florida annual hill production system.