Published 2009-12-01
Abstract
A field trial was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation programs on the yields of ‘Strawberry Festival’ and ’FL-99-117’ strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) cultivars. The irrigation programs consisted of six combinations of water volumes and frequencies of irrigation. The water volumes were 7, 14, and 21 acre-inch/acre per season, and the frequencies were one and two cycles per day. There was no significant effect of the irrigation programs on ‘FL-99-117’ growth and early and total yields, whereas ‘Strawberry Festival’ yields were influenced by the watering programs. For early yields (first 10 harvests), there were no differences among treatments, regardless of water volume or frequency of irrigation. Total yields were influenced by water volumes when two irrigation cycles per day were used, increasing from 10.8 to 13.2 ton/acre with 7 and 14 acre-inch/acre per season. There were no significant changes in total yields when one irrigation cycle per day was used, averaging about 12.2 ton/acre. It appears the crop could be irrigated with 7 acre-inch/acre per season during the first 8 weeks without significantly reducing early yields.