Production of strawberry fruits depending on vernalization periods of the transplants

Abstract

The yield of strawberry fruits cv. Camarosa was evaluated as affected by different vernalization periods of the transplant, in comparison with imported ones. The experiment was carried out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, using a tunnel as production system. The plants were transplanted on May18, 2006, using transplants produced in the south of Rio Grande do Sul, which were vernalized during 0; 7; 14; 21 and 28 days (4±1°C, 94±2% RH), and transplants without vernalization coming from Chile. The treatments were disposed according to a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental unit were composed of 21 plants. The yield, number of fruits per plant and average fruit mass were analyzed during 20 weeks (August to December). The Chilean transplants provided greater production and number of fruits than transplants produced in Rio Grande do Sul (1,038.3 and 491.7 g plant-1; 55.1 and 34.3 fruits plant-1, respectively). The vernalization of the national transplants during approximately 24 days optimized the yield and number of fruits significantly (1,023.1 g plant-1; 55.6 fruits plant-1). Transplants produced in Rio Grande do Sul presented higher production in November and December, while Chilean ones in October and November.