Phenology and agronomic components of first and second-cycle strawberry

Abstract

ABSTRACT Several strawberry growers have cultivated the same plants for two consecutive cycles aiming a greater economic return after seedling transplant. However, the phenological development and the agronomic potential of second-cycle strawberry have to be estimated. This research was installed to estimate the thermal need, leaf appearance rate, phyllochron and yield of strawberry cultivars in two consecutive crop cycles in the region of the Third Planalto Paranaense. Cultivars Camarosa, Camino Real, Albion, Aromas, Monterrey and San Andreas were evaluated in the first and second growing cycles using completely randomized blocks and four replications. Leaf appearance rate was estimated by linear regression coefficient between the number of leaves and the accumulated thermal sum. Phyllochron was estimated by the inverse of regression coefficient. Aromas was the only cultivar with an increased fruit production in the second cycle. On the contrary, there was a considerable reduction of production for ‘Camino Real’, ‘Albion’, ‘Monterrey’ and ‘San Andreas’ in that same cycle. The highest number and mass of marketable fruits of the second and first cycles were observed for ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Camino Real’, respectively. In the second crop cycle, strawberry cultivars required a lower thermal sum to begin flowering and fruit harvest. The plants presented a higher leaf appearance rate and low phyllochron values.