Development of greenhouse soilless system for production of strawberry potted plantlets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to produce high quality planting material in a soilless greenhouse system. Cv. Elsanta plants were planted in containers and set on a special rack in the greenhouse. Emerging plantlets were set (clipped with metal clips) in micro-pots filled with peat or coconut substrate and detached from mother plants after 7, 10 or 14 days. Efficiency of this nursery method depended on the number of runners emerging from mother plants and the number of plantlets on the runners. Plantlets rooted for a longer period showed greater tolerance to stress. Growing media used in the experiment did not have a significant influence on the dynamics and quality of plantlet rooting. Using the method developed in this study, all plantlets were properly rooted.