Effect of prohexidione-Ca and mepiquat chloride on stolon production and yield of Florida grown strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch.)

Abstract

Removal of stolons from strawberry plants in Florida's annual winter production system incurs significant costs to growers. Mepiquat chloride (Ponnax®) and prohexidione-calcium (Apogee®) were evaluated for the ability to reduce stolon production of strawberries grown under annual production techniques. Two rates of mepiquat chloride (170.6 and 273.5 g ai/ha) and two rates of prohexidione-calcium (113.8 and 227.6 g ai/ha) were applied three times at two week intervals beginning 4 weeks after establishment. Significant control of stolon production was achieved with both rates of prohexidione-calcium compared to mepiquat chloride and untreated controls. However, significant reductions in yields were associated with prohexidione-calcium. Application of mepiquat chloride at 273.5 g ai/ha increased fruit yield during the month of January above all other treatments. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.