Influence of fall nitrogen and spring nitrogen-potassium applications on yield and fruit quality of 'Chandler' strawberry

Abstract

Annual-hill strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) production with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation is gaining popularity in North Carolina. Two experiments (E1 and E2) were conducted on a Wagram loamy sand (Arenic Kandiudult) in 1992 and on a Norfolk sandy loam (Typic Kandiudult) in 1993 to investigate the effects of fall-applied N and spring-applied N and K on 'Chandler' strawberry yield and fruit quality. E1 treatments included factorial combinations of banded fall-applied N (0, 34, and 67 kg·ha-1) and drip spring-applied N (0, 0.19, 0.37, 0.56, and 0.75 kg·ha-1·d-1 and 0, 0.37, 0.75, and 1.12 kg·ha-1·d-1 in 1992 and 1993, respectively). E2 treatments included combinations of drip spring-applied N (0.56, 1.12, 1.68, and 2.24 kg·ha-1·d-1) and K (0.46, 1.39, and 2.32 kg·ha-1·d-1 and 0, 0.75, 1.49, and 2.24 kg·ha-1·d-1 in 1992 and 1993, respectively). There were no significant interactions among main effects for any of the measured variables. Market yield maximized with total N at ≃120 kg·ha-1 with one-half banded in the fall and the remainder drip-applied in the spring. Fruit firmness decreased with increasing N rate. Fruit pH and concentrations of total acids and soluble solids were not affected by N treatments, but soluble solids increased as the harvest season progressed. Plant crown number was not affected by N treatment but crown yield increased with N rate similar to market yield. There was no response to drip-applied K for any variable in either year. Based on soil test, fall-applied K (broadcast-soil incorporated) met the K requirements both years.