Defoliation, runner removal and flower removal affect growth and fruiting in ‘Toyonoka’ strawberries for winter production in subtropical Taiwan
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Lyu, Chia-Bin
Abstract
Removing runners, old leaves and flowers are three major routine tasks in a strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) field for winter berry production in central Taiwan. However, their effects on growth and fruit development have yet to be evaluated. To document the effects of partial defoliation and runner removal on plant growth, photosynthesis and yield, field and potted plants were treated with: 1) LR: partial defoliation of old leaves; 2) RR: runner removed; 3) LR + RR; 4) CK: controls. Neither defoliation nor runner removal affected the initial dates of first bloom, second bloom, and first harvest, but affected second harvest. Multiple linear regressions indicated that canopy leaf area had greater overall effects than the existence of runners on runnering and fruiting. Pot experiment showed that removing old leaves (leaf ages about 45days) temporary increased photosynthesis of the remaining leaves by 15% to 30%. Neither defoliation nor runner removal affected of crown fresh weight but deceased fresh weight of root. In addition, defoliation but not runner removal deceased dry weight of crowns and roots. To document the effects of flower or fruit thinning on plant growth, fruit development and yield, field plants were treated with: 1) PR: primary flower or fruit removal; 2) QR: quaternary or fruit removal; 3) FR: fifth flower or fruit removal; 4) CK: controls. Leaf area development, yield of individual harvest, total seasonal yield and soluble solids content were not affected by flower removal treatments. PR increased tertiary fruit growth of second crop and third crop. The results indicated that flower or fruit thinning increased average weight of marketable berries without compromising yield.
Subjects
strawberry
removing runners
removing old leaves
flower or fruit thinning
yield
photosynthesis
Type
thesis
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