Effects of organic residues on strawberry root growth

Abstract

Strawberries are often replanted in the same field as a single crop or in short rotation cycles causing a progressive deterioration of the soil. The present study was conducted to clarify the growth response of strawberry roots to increasing amounts of strawberry residues. Observation boxes were built using glass windows and filled with commercial compost. In order to simulate the soil accumulation of strawberry plant residues a 3-cm layer with a residue concentration ranging from 0 to 100% was prepared 15 cm from the soil surface. The roots were observed for three weeks starting five days after planting. The root growth was reduced by the presence of the residues. After the first week, the lowest growth was found with the 30% residue treatment. After the primary roots entered the layer containing residue the growth was further reduced in the 100% residue treatment, but the primary roots showed only a slight or no dimorphism when they encountered the layer. The lowest residue treatment did not reduce root growth compared to control and even positively stimulated it. When 30 and 100% residues were applied the above ground plant growth was also negatively affected. These results indicate that strawberry residues at high doses inhibited both primary and secondary root growth and changed the root dynamics in the substrate as a result of possible toxic effect. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.