The effect of nitrogen on stolon and ramet growth in four genotypes of Fragaria chiloensis L.

Abstract

Plant foraging response is a process in which clonal plants proliferate in nutrient-rich sites by shortening stolon length and increasing ramet density. Conversely, stolon length increases and ramet density decreases in nutrient-poor sites. Four genotypes of strawberry ( Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duch.) were grown in a greenhouse for 10 weeks and treated with different concentrations of nitrogen. Genotypes differed in plant size, stolon and ramet production, and nitrogen distribution between parent and ramets. Genotype Q18 were the smallest plants with the greatest number of stolons and ramets, typical of the phalanx morphology. The other genotypes had fewer but longer stolons, typical of the guerrilla morphology. Number of stolons and ramet density increased with increased N more in Genotype Q18 than the other genotypes. Results indicate that vegetative growth changed in response to increasing N treatment of the parent plant by shortening the average stolon length, increasing the number of stolons, and increasing the number of ramets while maintaining total stolon length. Foraging response characteristics were observed in strawberry but varied among genotypes.