Improve Strawberry Transplant Establishment with Less Water

IMPROVE STRAWBERRY TRANSPLANT ESTABLISHMENT WITH LESS WATER

Use Less Water to Establish Strawberries

Successful transplanting of strawberry plants can depend on a number of factors such as plant type, quality of nursery plants, field preparation, handling during the planting process and environmental factors. The plant’s ability to generate roots and establish normal growth can be greatly impacted by water stress, especially when the new environment is one of greater light intensity and higher heat.

Surround® Agricultural Crop Protectant provides a proven solution that mitigates the impact of intense light and heat. The kaolin particles in SURROUND reflect the damaging infrared and ultraviolet radiation that increases plant surface temperatures. A cooler plant surface reduces heat stress and sunburn, improves transplant establishment and, as shown by research conducted at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center of the IFAS/University of Florida, can reduce the amount of water used during the transplanting period.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension Study Findings

Cultural Practices for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Using Kaolin Clay to Reduce Sprinkler Irrigation for Strawberry Transplant Establishment1

Bielinski M. Santos, Teresa P. Salame-Donoso, Craig D. Stanley, Alica J. Whidden, Crystal A. Snodgrass, Mary B. Henry

Small-Plot Studies

Results showed that an application of kaolin clay on the strawberry foliage after either 6 or 8 days of sprinkler irrigation had the same plant establishment, plant canopy diameter and early fruit weight as the 10-day irrigated control (Table 1). A 40% reduction of establishment irrigation volumes was achieved with the application of kaolin clay, which might represent major water savings for strawberry production.

Table 1. Effects of length of sprinkler irrigation and timing of kaolin clay application on the plant establishment and canopy plant diameter at three weeks after transplant, and early marketable fruit weight for the first 10 harvests

Establishment Program Plant Establishment1 (%) Canopy Diameter (Cm) Early Fruit Weight (Ton / Acre)
10 days of sprinkler (control) 99a 18a 3.5a
8 days of sprinkler 88b 18a 2.9b
8 days of sprinkler + kaolin clay on the 9th day 99a 18a 3.6a
6 days of sprinkler 79b 17a 2.8b
6 days of sprinkler + kaolin clay on the 7th day 98a 17a 3.5a
4 days of sprinkler 57c 13b 1.6d
4 days of sprinkler + kaolin clay on the 5th day 81b 17a 2.3a
Significance (P < 0.05) * * *

1 Values followed by the same letter do not statistically differ at the 5% level. Data combined from two seasons in Balm, Florida

Large-Field Validations

Fields were treated with either 10 days of sprinkler irrigation or 7 days of sprinkler irrigation followed by kaolin clay on the 8th day. The results demonstrated that the application of 70% of the sprinkler irrigation volume traditionally used by strawberry growers followed by foliar application of kaolin clay on the morning of the 8th day could save a significant water volume (30%) while achieving the same plant establishment and early yields (Table 2).

Table 2. Effects of irrigation programs on strawberry plant establishment in growers’ fields, 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, Hillsborough, Polk, and Manatee Counties, Florida

Establishment Program Grower Number Cultivars Plant Number Plant Establishment1
2009-2010
10 days of sprinkler (control) 1 “Treasure” 1200 99.3a
7 days of sprinkler + kaolin clay on the 8th day 1200 99.4a
Significance (P < 0.05) NS
2010-2011
10 days of sprinkler (control) 6

“Treasure”

“Strawberry Festival”

 7645 99.2a
7 days of sprinkler + kaolin clay on the 8th day 7645 98.8a
Significance (P < 0.05) NS

1 Values followed by the same letter do not statistically differ at the 5% level. NS = nonsignificant differences

Recommendations for Transplants

Use at 25-50 pounds per 100 gallons of water of SURROUND WP per acre in sufficient water for complete coverage. SURROUND may be applied in a band spray. Adjust the band width to provide full coverage and adjust the volume of water based on plant size. Do not apply once fruit appears.

IMPROVE STRAWBERRY TRANSPLANT ESTABLISHMENT WITH LESS WATER

Application Tips:

  • Apply the spray volume that will achieve near-drip coverage.
  • Best results are usually achieved at 37.5 pounds per 100 gallons of water.
  • Surfactants may improve spreading.
  • Consult the specimen label for instructions on aerial application.
  • See SURROUND Spray Guide for more information on application techniques.
  • SURROUND can be applied with most other insecticides, miticides and fungicides. Conduct a compatibility test to ensure tank-mix compatibility.
  • Do not apply SURROUND through any type of overhead irrigation system.
  • Do not dip transplants into SURROUND solution.

For a copy of the complete University of Florida research report, click here.