skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Phosphorus, zinc, and boron influence yield components in Earliglow strawberry

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States)
OSTI ID:6307471
;  [1]
  1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). Dept. of Fruit and Vegetable Science

The main effects and interactions of soil-applied P, B, and Zn on yield and its components were examined in the field at two pH levels with Earliglow' strawberries (Fragaria ananassa Duch.). Applied nutrients had significant effects on several yield components, but responses depended on the levels of other nutrients or the soil pH. At a soil pH of 5.5, yield responded linearly to B and quadratically to P. At pH 6.5, P interacted with B and Zn. Fruit count per inflorescence was the yield component most strongly associated with yield, followed by individual fruit weight. However, these two yield components responded differently to soil-applied nutrients. Foliar nutrient levels generally did not increase with the amount of applied nutrient, but often an applied nutrient had a strong effect on the level of another nutrient. Leaf nutrient levels were often correlated with fruit levels, but foliar and fruit levels at harvest were not related to reproductive performance. The study identifies some of the problems inherent in using foliar nutrient levels to predict a yield response and demonstrates how plant responses to single nutrients depend on soil chemistry and the presence of other nutrients.

OSTI ID:
6307471
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science; (United States), Vol. 118:1; ISSN 0003-1062
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English