Strawberry plants are propagated vegetatively most often in field nursery plantations carried out for this purpose. Such plantations are established in autumn from freshly dug seedlings obtained from specially selected mother plantations offering nursery material for further propagation of plants (“elite” class) or for planting fruiting plantations (“original” class). Plantlets from such plantations have a certificate of plant health and varietal identity. Strawberry can also be propagated in “in vitro” cultures and in specially managed mother plantations grown in soilless systems.
For propagation of strawberry plants in field plantations, numerous young rooted plantlets formed on runners (stolons) are used. Strawberry begins to form runners usually already in June (in the northern hemisphere). On growing runners, rosettes of young plantlets with aerial roots are formed (so-called “hooks”), which later produce the real root system. The strongest and most valuable plantlets are formed on the closest to the mother plants – plantlets at the ends of the runners are weaker and often do not reach the parameters required for plants of the highest quality class A+. The quality of the plantlets takes into account not only their health, but also the diameter of the crowns measured at the root neck. Classification of seedlings is as follows: B (6–8 mm), A- (8–10 mm), A (10–14 mm), A+ (14–15 mm).
Strawberry plantlets are dug out of the field in autumn – when most young plants are well rooted.
Proper soil preparation prior to planting, organic and mineral soil fertilization and the right planting technique – these are the conditions necessary for a good adaptation of plantlets after planting to field and further development of plants. The effectiveness of cultivation can be increased by appropriate bio-stimulation of plants and foliar plant nutrition.
In autumn, foliar treatments are primarily aimed at:
In the period from the start of vegetation in spring to the end of summer, the treatments are aimed at:
- intensive development of mother plants
- strengthening mother plants to produce many strong runners
- stimulation of rosette formation and intensive development
- stimulation of plantlets for strong growth and quick rooting.
Foliar nutrition with macroelements is complementary, but it allows to effectively mitigate the effects of insufficient availability of nutrients from the soil. It is also necessary during periods of increased demand of plants for some of the nutrients. The goal of foliar feeding of nursery plants planted in autumn of the previous year is to obtain properly grown, healthy plants, capable of yielding a large number of strong, well rooted plantlets in the next growing season.
For the proper plant growth and development, optimal supply of plants with nitrogen (N) is necessary. Soil fertilization with this nutrient can be supplemented with foliar nutrition using PLONVIT® NITROMAG or PLONVIT® NITRO. Nitrogen is effectively used by plants when the availability of other important nutrients is ensured.
It is therefore recommended foliar feeding of plants with other nutrients, in particular:
The good condition of plants throughout the growing season determines the yield nursery plantations.
Even short-term nutrient deficiency may have a negative impact on plant growth and yield. Therefore, it is necessary comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the plants at any stage of their development. This will allow them to be fed properly and bio-stimulate them.
INTERMAG’s wide range of products, allows you to develop your own individual foliar fertilization and biostimulation program, considering local soil conditions, crop intensity, stage of plant development and availability of various products.
All of these discussed actions significantly affect the yield increase and its quality parameters.
