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Title: FRUIT NITROGEN CONTENT OF SIXTEEN STRAWBERRY GENOTYPES GROWN IN AN ADVANCED MATTED ROW PRODUCTION SYSTEM.

Author
item Black, Brent
item HOKANSON, STAN - UNIV. OF MINNESOTA
item Lewers, Kimberly

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2005
Publication Date: 8/1/2005
Citation: Black, B.L., Hokanson, S., Lewers, K.S. 2005. Fruit nitrogen content of sixteen strawberry genotypes grown in an advanced matted row production system.. Hortscience. 40(5):1190-1193

Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient that is most commonly limiting to plant growth, and the most common fertilizer input. However, excess N fertilization may lead to crop damage and contributes to water pollution. Information regarding the amount of N removed in the harvested crop is necessary for developing fertility programs that are environmentally friendly. Eight strawberry cultivars and eight advanced selections from the USDA strawberry breeding program were grown in advanced matted row culture and compared for crop N content over three seasons. Crop N content, or the amount of N removed in the harvested crop, was calculated from fresh weight N concentration of the fruit at peak harvest, and from total yields. There were significant differences among the cultivars and selections in crop N content with values ranging from 1.80 to 3.56 g N per meter of row. These differences were largely determined by yield, however, there were also differences in N concentration of the fruit. This information about differences in crop N content among cultivars and selections will be used by horticulturists in developing guidelines for nutrient management of matted-row strawberry production, and by plant breeders in developing new cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Information regarding nitrogen (N) removal during harvest is necessary for developing fertility programs and for nutrient management planning. Eight strawberry cultivars and eight numbered selections grown in advanced matted row culture were compared for crop N content over three seasons. Replicated plots were established in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and fruited the following year. The cultivars Allstar, Cavendish, Earliglow, Honeoye, Jewel, Northeaster, Ovation, and Latestar, and the selections B37, B51, B244-89, B683, B753, B781, B793, and B817 were compared for yield and fruit N concentration. Crop N content was calculated from total season yield and fruit N concentration at peak harvest. There were significant differences in harvest removal of N among genotypes. Crop N content of selections ranged from 1.80 to 2.96 g N per meter of row for B781 and B37, respectively. For cultivars, N removal ranged from 2.01 to 3.56 g N per meter of row for 'Ovation' and 'Jewel', respectively. The amount of N removed at harvest was largely determined by yield, however, there were also significant genotype differences in fruit N concentration, ranging from 0.608 to 0.938 mg N per gram fresh weight for B244-89 and 'Jewel', respectively. The crop N content values presented here represent 49% to 92% of the amount of N added as fertilizer during the establishment year. The significant genotypic differences in crop N content suggest the possibility of selecting cultivars with improved N-efficiency.