Garden strawberry, like other cultivated plants, requires careful care, including timely and balanced mineral nutrition. Considering the biological features of this crop and the texture of the soils where it is grown, when planning feeding one must take into account the strawberry's need for macro- and microelements responsible for the taste of the berries and their marketable look. These elements include phosphorus, potassium, calcium, boron, molybdenum and zinc.
Phosphorus is responsible for health and energy balance throughout the plant. Phosphorus in the form of phosphite has a clearly expressed fungistatic effect against fungi that cause plant and berry diseases.
Potassium takes part in the synthesis and accumulation of sugars in the marketable part of the crop. Given that garden strawberry is grown mostly on soils of light texture, where this element is deficient, potassium feeding always gives a positive result.
Calcium is responsible for many physiological processes in plants. In growing garden strawberry it helps produce berries with strong cell walls, which improves their storage and transportation. Like potassium, calcium is deficient on light soils, so feeding with this element gives good results.
Boron is responsible for the health of vascular bundles both in the root system and in the aboveground part of the plant. It is also extremely important for the synthesis and accumulation of sugars in the plant itself and in the berries.
Molybdenum, like boron, takes part in the synthesis and accumulation of sugars and in nitrogen uptake, preventing its accumulation in the form of nitrates and nitrites.
Zinc, as the element responsible for the synthesis of auxins, the plant growth hormones, activates plant growth, which is especially important in years with frequent temperature swings. Zinc in chelate form also shows fungicidal properties and improves berry colour.
Based on this season's weather conditions, we recommend planning foliar feeding of garden strawberry as follows:
- At the start of flowering apply the tank mix ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.5 l/ha + ECOLINE Boron(Opti) 1.5 l/ha.
- At the start of berry formation apply ECOLINE Calcium-Boron (Chelates) 2.0 l/ha + ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Zn) 1.0 l/ha, and 10–14 days later once more ECOLINE Calcium-Boron (Chelates) 2.0 l/ha.
