Abstract
The objective of this work was to optimize a soilless growing system for producing bare-root strawberry transplants in three organic substrates. Three trials were conducted in the Quebec City area to determine the productivity potential of a peat-sawdust mixture (PS25) and an aged bark (AB) material compared to conventional coconut fiber (CF) substrate. A first experiment was carried out to define appropriate irrigation set points for each substrate that allowed optimal plant growth and fruit yields. For all substrates, wetter conditions (irrigation started at -1.0 kPa for CF; -1.5 kPa for AB and PS25, relative to -1.5 kPa for CF; -2.5 kPa for AB and PS25) enhanced plant growth and fruit production. The second trial was carried out to test the productivity potential for commercial production of the three substrates using high-tunnels. After the addition of an initial fertilizer application to PS25, we successfully established bare-root plants that gave similar fruit yields than those in CF and AB. The productivity potential of PS25 and AB were further confirmed during a third trial under greenhouse conditions. The critical factor for plant establishment in PS25 was attributed to consistent N, P and S immobilization by microorganisms, as well as the retention of other elements (Mg2+, K+) in the growth media. Taken together, our results showed that PS25 and AB are promising alternative substrates to coconut coir dust for strawberry cultivation. This paper also provides a useful guide for strawberry cultivation in Quebec, and suggests future research that might be conducted to optimize soilless systems for cold-climate strawberry production in Northern America.
Highlights
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of the most widely consumed fruit in the world, with annual sales that reached 1,533,000 tonnes in 2013 [1]
Due to a higher proportion of fine particles than coconut fiber (CF), aged bark (AB) was less aerated than CF (Fig 1, Table 1) and exhibited a higher water holding capacity in combination with a low saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) values (0.02–0.07 cm s-1)
Initial physical properties of AB indicated that this substrate presents values of air filled porosity above the lower limit but presented a potential risk of hypoxia to the root system in one case only (Exp. 3, see Table 1) that can result in plant growth limitations for that specific experiment [26]
Summary
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of the most widely consumed fruit in the world, with annual sales that reached 1,533,000 tonnes in 2013 [1]. North American production of strawberries represents more than 25 percent of world production, with over 1,300,000 tons of fruit being produced every year [2]. Strawberries are mainly grown in California, Florida and Quebec with the latter being the largest area of strawberry production in Canada [3]. Sawdust and Bark Based Substrates for Soilless Strawberry Production study. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials
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