John R. Duval, University of Florida Gulf Coast
Research and Education Center - Dover
The strawberry horticulture/physiology program is involved in many diverse projects dealing with everything from root growth and morphology to micro-propagation of strawberry. Some projects currently underway:
I.
Transplant date and type influence on
subsequent growth and yield of strawberry.
Goals and Objectives
Determine the effect of transplant date and type on yielding pattern of strawberry.
The objective of this study is to determine what mix of transplant types and
planting date gives a grower a continuous supply of berries to more effectively
manage his production schedules.
II.
Root geometry and mass at transplanting affects
on establishment and subsequent yield of strawberry
Goals and Objectives
Determine the response of strawberry to alternate root geometries and masses. The objective of this study is to develop a planting system that will maximize the performance of bare root transplants.
Goals and Objectives
Determine the effect of bare root transplant chilling on subsequent growth and yield of strawberry. The goal of this study is to determine the optimal amount of chilling required by bare root transplants for fruit production in Florida so that better decisions concerning planting date can be made by a grower.
IV.
Effect of mechanical damage to bare root
transplants on subsequent growth and yield of strawberry.
Goals and Objectives
Determine the effect of mechanical damage to bare root transplants on their subsequent growth and yield. The goal of this study is to determine how much yield is lost due to damage caused by transplant digging and packing operations. This information can then be used to improve these practices in northern nurseries.
These are just some of the projects being conducted by this program or in conjunction with other programs foreign and domestic. These projects are representative of a majority of work that has been conducted in the program's first year. Other projects include the use of growth regulators to prevent runner production in the fruiting field, production of artificial seed for strawberry propagation and modeling of strawberry root growth.
Projects planned for 2000-2001 include:
I.
Improving strawberry transplant morphology and
early flowering using growth regulators.
Goals and Objectives
Determine the effectiveness of a gibberellic acid inhibitor for reducing bare root
transplant height and reducing establishment water requirements. The goal of this
study is to find means to shorten bare root transplant petiole lengths and increase
crown size. It is hypothesized that by doing so the time needed to overhead
irrigate for establishment may be reduced and early yields increased.
II.
Evaluation of two new herbicides for over the
top application for weed control in strawberry fields.
Goals and Objectives
Evaluate two new herbicides for their usefulness in strawberry cultivation. The goal of this study is to find new products to control weeds in strawberry fruiting fields due the impending loss of methyl bromide.
III.
Re-evaluation of strawberry fertilization
recommendations.
Goals and Objectives
Determine optimum timing, sources and ratios of nutrients to maximize grower profits. The goal of this experimentation is to better understand the nutrient requirements of new varieties of strawberries and adjust recommendations as necessary.