Oxyfertigation and Transplanting Conditions of Strawberries

Pedro Palencia,Fátima Martínez,Miguel A Vázquez

doi:10.3390/agronomy11122513

Pedro Palencia, Fátima Martínez + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122513

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Abstract

Soilless growing systems can improve water-use efficiency, especially in closed soilless growing systems. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different transplanting conditions, and determine how supplying H2O2 as an oxygen source to the rhizosphere of strawberry plants in a soilless growing system affects plant growth, fruit yield and fruit quality. Strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cv. ‘Fortuna’ were cultivated in 12 L pots filled with peat substrate, and maintained under conditions of natural light and temperature. Treated plants were supplied with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (H1) and control plants did not receive H2O2 (H0). In terms of the transplanting conditions, the plants were transplanted in October (T1), and either maintained in a culture chamber (T2), or refrigerated (T3), for one month, before being transplanted. A completely randomized block design with two treatment factors (transplanting conditions, and H2O2 treatment) and five replications was established. Then, we determined the fruit per plant, yield per plant (g plant−1), fruit weight (g fruit−1), fruit size (mm), SPAD values, crown number, crown diameter (mm), flower number, firmness (g cm−1), pH, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and TSS/TA. During the early crop cycle, there were not significant differences between treatment and the transplanting conditions that significantly affected the fruit weight and fruit size, although T3 produced the highest values. During the late crop cycle, the H2O2 treatment affected fruit per plant, yield per plant (g plant−1), and crown diameter, with H1 producing the highest values. Furthermore, the transplanting conditions affected yield per plant (g plant−1), old SPAD values, crown diameter, firmness, TSS, TA and TSS/TA.

Highlights

Soilless growing systems are characterized by dense plants roots confined in a small volume of growth medium, and by high rates of metabolic activity, respiration and growth
The results suggested that the H2O2 treatment affected fruit per plant and yield per plant (g plant−1), crown number, crown diameter and titratable acidity (TA) (%); on the other hand, the transplanting conditions affected yield per plant (g plant−1), fruit weight (g fruit−1), fruit size, old and new SPAD, crown number, crown diameter, firmness (g cm−1), total soluble solid (TSS), TA (%) and TSS/TA ratio
Other authors suggested that the application of H2O2 in a soilless growing system with coir fibre as the growth medium for the strawberries increased the number of strawberry fruits per plant [41]

Summary

Introduction

Soilless growing systems are characterized by dense plants roots confined in a small volume of growth medium, and by high rates of metabolic activity, respiration and growth. As a consequence of the root confinement, the oxygen requirements in the rhizosphere are high. Hypoxic conditions in the growth medium affect growth, plant yield and the quality of horticultural crops. This may be due to alterations in physiological and biochemical processes such as water potential [8], chlorophyll content and hormonal balance caused by excess ethylene [9,10]. The lack of oxygen induces anaerobic respiration, increasing the concentrations of ethanol and CO2 in the rhizosphere to toxic levels [9]

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