Growing Better Strawberries

Improving Fruit Quality

Uneven sized and misshapen fruit and other disorders are caused by poor cell division when the fruit is developing (when 0-4 mm in size). Following this stage the cells size, and as the size increases the problems become visible.

Foliar calcium sprays can help as they increase cell wall thickness allowing the fruit to reach a larger size before the problem becomes visible. However the best approach is to combine calcium application with a growth stimulant made available though Plant Impact’s CaT technology to increase cell division. InCa contains both and can be applied when the fruit is small to improve shape and quality.

Reducing Disease

Poor use of nitrogen can increase disease incidence by producing weak watery growth. In field conditions most crops receive too much nitrate nitrogen in relation to ammonium and amine nitrogen that can create vegetative growth at the expense of fruit and bud development. PiNT Calcium supplies the correct balance of the three nitrogen forms – this encourages reproductive growth allowing the plant to use more of its energy producing fruit.  This gives earlier fruiting, more fruit, better size and reduced disease. In addition PiNT Calcium supplies vital calcium to the plant. Research shows that this reduces soft rots and diseases including botrytis, erwinia, and fusarium.

Increasing size and quantity of fruit.

When flowers and fruit are developing the quality is adversely affected if conditions lead to rapid shoot growth. This rapid shoot development acts as a sink for food, and ‘robs’ the flower or fruit of food leading to uneven sizing, and flower or fruit abortion.

Speedo Saxon encourages the sugars made in the leaves to move to the fruit, decreases shoot growth, and boosts root growth. This creates larger and more evenly sized crop, and allows the plant to hold a higher quantity of strawberries.

Recovery from dry and wet conditions

Strawberries are extremely sensitive to changes in moisture levels in the root zone. Substrates can quickly become too wet or dry, and for various reasons irrigation systems can give an uneven watering pattern. At certain times of the season the problems can become pronounced. In wet conditions or when the crop has been over watered excessive water can lead to total root death, and encourages spread of fungal diseases like phytophera. Even a small excess of moisture during the growing season can lead to death of root hairs and reduced uptake of micronutrients such as Iron & Manganese leading to leaf chlorosis.

By the time leaf analyses are available it is inevitable that the crop will have suffered stress, so it is better practice to take preventative action.

In dry conditions the opposite problem can occur, where moisture is insufficient and wilting occurs. As a result the plant will encounter severe stress.

PiNT Calcium will improve the plants tolerance to excess and insufficient water by creating a more robust root system. It can be used to both stimulate root development, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of vital trace elements.

Improving growth in temperature extremes

During cool or hot temperatures the crops ability to synthesise growth hormones declines disproportionately to give a slow-down in development, and often a quality reduction. Normal balance can be restored by application of InCa to give improved growth and quality during temperature extremes

Extending Shelf Life

Shelf life of fruit is controlled by ethylene, which encourages the breakdown of compounds that bind together the cells in the fruit, and weakens cell walls. Fruit shelf life is usually controlled post harvest by limiting ethylene production using chilling, or controlled atmosphere storage.

By loading the fruits cells with calcium using InCa the cells in the fruit become less susceptible to ethylene following harvest – thus increasing shelf-life and improving other quality aspects.

Improving Roots

Plants growing on salty or high sodium soils are likely to experience root decline. The root system can be reinvigorated using PiNT Calcium that will improve root growth and health, and suppress sodium uptake. Improving root health is also beneficial in reducing nematode attack.

Improving Colour and Size

Colour and size of the fruit can be enhanced by application of Speedo Balance at 5 lts per ha 3 weeks prior to harvest. This is an effective way of increasing the proportion of red strawberries in field-grown crops, and will increase sugar levels in the fruit for better flavour.

Rates and Recommendations for Strawberry and Soft Fruits:

PiNT Calcium
Soil application – Up to 300l/Ha/season split into applications of 10-30L.
Foliar application – 5-10L/Ha or 1% spray solution (spray to run off).
Timing: Soil -15-20 day intervals from 4 leaf stage. Foliar – spray after each flowering.

PiNT Potassium
Soil application – Up to 100l/Ha/season split into applications of 10-30L.
Foliar application – 5-10L/Ha or 1% spray solution (spray to run off).
Timing: 15-20 day intervals from second flowering.

Speedo Balance
Application Rate – 5 L/Ha.
Timing: To improve colour and size apply 3-4 weeks prior to harvest.

Speedo Saxon
Application Rate – Foliar – 2-3L/Ha in minimum 100 litres of water. Alternatively use a 0.5% spray solution and spray until run-off. Avoid spraying in direct sun.
Timing: 15-day intervals from 4 leaf stage to harvest.

InCa
General Application Rate – 1L/Ha either as a foliar spray (minimum 100L water spray volume) or through drip irrigation or fertigation systems.

General Timing: For temperature stress - apply at 20-day intervals during periods of extreme high and or low temperatures.

Crop Specific Timings

Strawberry 60 day crop - 2 apps at 1.5 L/Ha during flowering & fruit set to prevent disorders and aid set and 2 weeks prior to harvest for increased dry matter and longer shelf life.

Strawberry main crop - 3 apps at 1.5 L/Ha during flowering & fruit set to prevent disorders and aid set and at 3-week intervals for increased dry matter
and longer shelf life.

Strawberry ever bearer - 1.0 L/Ha every 2 weeks during flowering and fruit set to prevent disorders and aid set and apply until harvest for increased dry matter and longer shelf life.

Raspberry / Blackberry - 2 apps at 1.5 L/Ha during flowering and fruit set to prevent disorders and aid set and 2 weeks prior to harvest for increased dry matter and longer shelf life.

Blueberry - 1.0 L/Ha every 2 weeks during flowering & fruit set to prevent
disorders and aid set and apply until harvest for increased dry matter, stronger skin finish and longer shelf life.

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