Abstract
The objective of this work was to optimize a soilless growing system for producing bare-root strawberry transplants in three organic substrates. Three trials were conducted in the Quebec City area to determine the productivity potential of a peat-sawdust mixture (PS25) and an aged bark (AB) material compared to conventional coconut fiber (CF) substrate. A first experiment was carried out to define appropriate irrigation set points for each substrate that allowed optimal plant growth and fruit yields. For all substrates, wetter conditions (irrigation started at -1.0 kPa for CF; -1.5 kPa for AB and PS25, relative to -1.5 kPa for CF; -2.5 kPa for AB and PS25) enhanced plant growth and fruit production. The second trial was carried out to test the productivity potential for commercial production of the three substrates using high-tunnels. After the addition of an initial fertilizer application to PS25, we successfully established bare-root plants that gave similar fruit yields than those in CF and AB. The productivity potential of PS25 and AB were further confirmed during a third trial under greenhouse conditions. The critical factor for plant establishment in PS25 was attributed to consistent N, P and S immobilization by microorganisms, as well as the retention of other elements (Mg2+, K+) in the growth media. Taken together, our results showed that PS25 and AB are promising alternative substrates to coconut coir dust for strawberry cultivation. This paper also provides a useful guide for strawberry cultivation in Quebec, and suggests future research that might be conducted to optimize soilless systems for cold-climate strawberry production in Northern America.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Wetter irrigation conditions enhanced strawberry growth and fruit production across substrates.
- Taxon
- Strawberry
_single2.jpg?width=60)
Fragaria ×ananassat0 - Treatment
- wetter conditionse0
- Outcome
- plant growth and fruit productione0
- Direction
- enhancede0
- Qualifier
- For all substratese0
- Comparator
- -1.5 kPa for CF; -2.5 kPa for AB and PS25e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_single2.jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
t0“Strawberry”
e0“For all substrates, wetter conditions (irrigation started at -1.0 kPa for CF; -1.5 kPa for AB and PS25, relative to -1.5 kPa for CF; -2.5 kPa for AB and PS25) enhanced plant growth and fruit production.”
Claim · model-written summary
With initial fertilizer, PS25 supported bare-root establishment and fruit yields similar to CF and AB.
- Taxon
- StrawberryFragaria ×ananassat0
- Treatment
- an initial fertilizer application to PS25e0
- Outcome
- fruit yieldse0
- Direction
- similare0
- Qualifier
- successfully established bare-root plantse0
- Comparator
- CF and ABe0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Strawberry”
e0“After the addition of an initial fertilizer application to PS25, we successfully established bare-root plants that gave similar fruit yields than those in CF and AB.”
Claim · model-written summary
PS25 and AB productivity potential was confirmed under greenhouse conditions.
- Taxon
- StrawberryFragaria ×ananassat0
- Material
- PS25 and ABe0
- Outcome
- productivity potentiale0
- Setting
- greenhouse conditionse0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Strawberry”
e0“The productivity potential of PS25 and AB were further confirmed during a third trial under greenhouse conditions.”
Claim · model-written summary
Microbial N, P and S immobilization and retention of Mg2+ and K+ in the medium were attributed as critical to establishment in PS25.
- Taxon
- StrawberryFragaria ×ananassat0
- Outcome
- plant establishment in PS25e0
- Qualifier
- consistent N, P and S immobilization by microorganisms, as well as the retention of other elements (Mg2+, K+) in the growth mediae0
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“Strawberry”
e0“The critical factor for plant establishment in PS25 was attributed to consistent N, P and S immobilization by microorganisms, as well as the retention of other elements (Mg2+, K+) in the growth media.”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors identify PS25 and AB as promising alternative substrates for strawberry cultivation.
- Taxon
- strawberryFragaria ×ananassae0
- Material
- PS25 and ABe0
- Outcome
- promising alternative substrates to coconut coir duste0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“PS25 and AB are promising alternative substrates to coconut coir dust for strawberry cultivation.”
The same questions in other papers
fertilization · yield · Fragaria x ananassa (strawberry)Positive and negative results
192 papers in the same direction as this paper · 34 in the opposite direction · 2 reporting no difference from an alternative
- no effect
- positive
- positive
225 papers more in this group
See all 229 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.