NUTRITION OF GARDEN STRAWBERRY: KEY POINTS
Strawberry, a fragrant red berry, appeared on our continent in the 17th century. The journey was long, because its homeland is considered to be North America. For quite a long time it was used as an ornamental plant, and only in the mid-18th century did it begin to be cultivated as a garden crop.
For successful strawberry growing it is worth understanding the conditions required for it.
Strawberry grows and fruits very well on chernozems, gray forest soils and sod-podzolic soils. The optimal option is light loam and sandy loam textures, which can ensure good aeration of the root system and hold enough moisture in the root zone. Strawberry grows well on soils with a slightly acidic soil solution reaction (pH 5.8–6.2).
To obtain high yields, sufficient watering to the depth of the root system should be ensured. Even with a considerable amount of rain, the plant may need additional moistening, especially during flowering, fruit and yield formation and bud laying.
As for winter hardiness and frost resistance, everything depends on the variety. In general plants successfully withstand low temperatures with enough snow cover, but if there is no snow, at temperatures below -12-160C strawberry partly freezes out or even dies completely. However, plants provided with an optimal amount of nutrients after harvest overwinter much better. Spring frosts during flowering can damage open flowers and even still-closed buds. At -10C there may be minor flower damage, and at -30C substantial damage. It should be noted that complete destruction of the pistil occurs at -100C , and of pollen at -50C. However, as mentioned above, strong plants supplied with nutrients tolerate adverse conditions more easily.
The main nutrients for strawberry:
NITROGEN. This element plays an important role in the life of the plant organism. Its deficiency leads to slowed growth. It is especially important to supply plants with nitrogen in the first year after planting, which allows the variety's potential to be realized to the maximum. But one should not forget that excess nitrogen nutrition can cause active growth of vegetative mass and thickening of plantings, which in turn increases the risk of plant diseases and lowers harvest quality.
PHOSPHORUS. Soluble forms of phosphorus fertilizers can be used when preparing the soil and before planting plants in their permanent place. It is very important to supply the plant with phosphorus right after planting, since this element is responsible for the growth and development of the root system. While the root system of a young plant is weak and undeveloped, it cannot absorb enough phosphorus from the soil, so it is important to use alternative methods of applying nutrients, such as spraying and drip irrigation.
POTASSIUM. The functions of potassium in the plant organism are very varied. It positively affects metabolism in cells and increases plant resistance to unfavorable temperature conditions. With potassium shortage and increased transpiration, plants lose turgor and wilt faster. Potassium also affects photosynthesis intensity and oxidation processes and takes part in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. With deficiency of this element protein synthesis is inhibited in the plant, as a result of which the whole nitrogen metabolism is disrupted. Potassium improves plant frost resistance by raising osmotic pressure in cells.
MAGNESIUM. In the plant, magnesium performs many important functions and is needed in relatively large amounts. Its most important function is activating the enzymes that channel the dephosphorylation process. Magnesium is necessary for protein synthesis and helps balance potassium and calcium ions. With magnesium starvation the appearance of plants changes sharply: chlorosis appears on old leaves, which over time passes to younger leaves, and gradual death of the plant begins. Such processes can intensify under other stress conditions, for example drought, or high or low temperatures.
CALCIUM. This element is the building material of the cell. It is found in cell walls, has a regulatory effect on intracellular processes, and the activity of enzymes responsible for ripening depends on it. It takes part in the work of hormones that influence plant resistance to various stresses, high or low temperatures and low pH.
BORON. This is one of the most important nutrients for plants. It influences the formation of reproductive organs, strengthens pollen germination, increases the number of flowers and pollen, and takes part in the accumulation of sugars and plastic substances, thereby helping plants overwinter successfully. With critical boron deficiency the growing point dies.
To correct nutrient shortage and obtain stable yields with high transportability, ECOORGANIC specialists have developed recommendations for feeding garden strawberry:
At the start of flowering fertilizers with a high content of boron and magnesium should be applied: ECOLINE Boron (Organic) 1.0 l/ha and ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) 1.5 l/ha. This will strengthen pollination and activate enzymes that help the root system take up phosphorus from the soil.
During fruit fill and ripening, when the integrity and firmness of the berries is laid down, ECOLINE Calcium-Boron (Chelates) 2.0 l/ha should be used in combination with ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) 1.0 l/ha. This application should be repeated at least twice, since exactly this combination improves transportability and extends the shelf life of fresh berries.
After harvest plants should be prepared for dormancy and winter. ECOLINE Phosphite (K) at 2.5 l/ha will not only improve root system growth but also, thanks to its fungistatic effect, prevent the development of fungal diseases.
