2017 ASHS Annual Conference

An open-field study was conducted at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of root and foliar applied nutrients in annual plasticulture strawberry production in addition to standard pre-plant and post-plant fertigation practices. Study involved three treatments replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were i) root applied Nutriplant® SD (0-0-0, a micronutrient mix) + foliar applied Nutriplant® AG 6-4-3, and ii) foliar applied Nutriplant® AG 6-4-3 only and iii) an untreated control. Soil type was a Tetotum loam with a pH of 6.2. Preplant fertilizer (10-0-20) was added at time of bed preparation to meet 61.6 kg nitrogen/hectare. Each block was a bed of dimension 0.7 m wide on top, 0.15 m high with each treatment plot of 3.7 m bed length. ‘Chandler’ strawberry was transplanted on 30 Sept. 2015 at spacing of 0.36 m between plants. Strawberry plug plants in the SD + foliar treatment were lightly dusted with SD powder prior to transplanting on 30 Sept 2015. Floating row cover was used for winter and spring frost protection. Liquid fertilizer applications began March end 2016, alternating weekly with calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate to meet 0.84 kg of nitrogen/ha/day as per standard production recommendations. For the first two treatments, an application of Nutriplant® AG 6-4-3 was made at 30% bloom in spring at 585 ml/ha and starting April 26, as frequent harvesting began, weekly sprays were made. Data were collected on marketable and total yields, total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit size. There were no significant differences among treatments for yield, fruit size or TSS. Foliar nutrients in addition to standard fertigation practices had no added benefits on fruit yield and quality. Growers should instead base their fertility practices on recommendations from routine plant tissue sampling in spring for improved berry yield and quality.