Vol. 125 (2012): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Vegetable

Performance of Florida-produced Containerized Strawberry Transplants

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  • Pei-Wen Huang,
  • Bielinski M Santos,
  • Vance M Whitaker,
  • Craig D Stanley,
  • Steven A Sargent
Pei-Wen Huang
University of Florida, IFAS, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Bielinski M Santos
University of Florida, IFAS, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Vance M Whitaker
University of Florida, IFAS, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Craig D Stanley
University of Florida, IFAS, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Steven A Sargent
University of Florida, IFAS, Horticultural Sciences Department, PO Box 110690, Gainesville, FL 32611

Published 2012-12-01

Keywords

  • Fragaria ×ananassa,
  • plugs,
  • kaolin clay,
  • crop establishment

Abstract

Using containerized transplants (plugs) is an alternative to bare-root transplants for strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) production in order to reduce water use during establishment. However, their price is double that of bare-root transplants. Three cultivars of strawberries (‘Strawberry Festival’, ‘Florida Radiance’, and ‘Winterstar’) were plugged on different dates (26 July or 16 Aug. 2010) in west-central Florida for evaluating their performance compared to bare-root transplants. Plugging date treatments were combined with different transplant establishment practices. Bare-root transplants were established with either 10 days of sprinkler irrigation (control) or 6 days of sprinkler irrigation followed by foliar application of kaolin clay on the 7th day. Containerized transplants were established with either 2 days of sprinkler irrigation followed by foliar kaolin clay application on the 3rd day or 2 days of sprinkler irrigation without kaolin clay.

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