Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: Summary The yield of strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is dependent on the number of inflorescences initiated in the apical meristems of the main and branch crowns. Short-day conditions induce crown formation from the axillary buds of the main crown while long-day conditions promote runner formation. The fate of axillary buds is also affected by the plant hormone gibberellin (GA). Exogenously applied GA enhances runner formation in short daylength. Our aim was to test whether the cropping potential of strawberry could be increased by the GA biosynthesis inhibitor, prohexadione-calcium (ProCa), under northern long-day conditions. Six experiments at five different locations were carried out with 'Polka' or 'Honeoye' using ProCa concentrations of 100 and 200 mg l -1 . ProCa reduced runner formation in five experiments, and increased crown branching in three experiments. Furthermore, the 200 mg l -1 ProCa treatment increased the number of inflorescences and berry yield by 6-50% and 7-53%, respectively. No negative effects on development or yield were observed. In conclusion, ProCa treatment of strawberry during the planting year has the potential to reduce runner development and enhance berry yield in northern long-day conditions.
Institutions: University of Helsinki, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4408866988