Fertilizer Guide
Strawberry belongs to the Rosaceae family and Fragaria genus. The strawberry plant is herbaceous and perennial. Strawberry cultivars can be classified into three basic flowering habits: short-day, long-day, and day-neutral. These refer to the day-length sensitivity of the plant and the type of photoperiod that induces flower formation. Day-neutral cultivars produce flowers regardless of the photoperiod. The cultivars vary widely in size, color, flavor, shape, degree of fertility, season of ripening, liability to disease and constitution of plant. Cultivation follows one of two general models: annual plasticulture (plastic mulch film, row coverings, high and low tunnels (polytunnels)) or a perennial system of matted rows or mounds. Greenhouses produce a small amount of strawberries during the off season.
Climate: Strawberry is a crop that adapts very well to many types of climates. Its vegetative part is highly resistant to frost, reaching temperatures up to -20°C, although the floral organs are destroyed with values somewhat lower than 0°C. At the same time they are able to survive summer temperatures of 55°C. The optimum values for proper fruit set and development are around 15-20ºC on average per year. Temperatures below 12 ° C during fruit set lead to deformed fruits.
Soil: It prefers balanced soils, rich in organic matter, well drained and with a good balance between aeration and water retaining capacities. A sandy or loamy-sandy and homogeneously deep soil would be ideal for cultivation.
pH: 6-7
Sensitivities: Saline soils and very sensitive to active lime especially at levels above 5%.
Nutritional requirements
| Sources | N | P2O5 | K2O |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdier, 1987 | 250-300 | 125-150 | 400 |
| Brazanti, 1989 | 150-250 | 90-180 | 270-400 |
| R.E.P.I Fresa Andalucía, 2007 | 200 | 180 | 250 |
Fertigation recommendations
| Nutrient distribution (kg/ha). Yield: 50,000-70,000 kg/ha | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months | N | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO |
| Nov | 15 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 1.5 |
| Dec | 15 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 1.5 |
| Jan | 20 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 3 |
| Feb | 25 | 29 | 36 | 14 | 5 |
| Mar | 35 | 34 | 53 | 20 | 5 |
| Apr | 40 | 27 | 60 | 25 | 5 |
| May | 40 | 27 | 60 | 25 | 0 |
| Total | 190 | 160 | 249 | 118 | 21 |
Foliar fertilizers
Foliar fertilization is the fastest and most effective method to supplement and enrich plant nutrition and to correct nutritional deficiencies when needed. This contributes significantly to higher and better quality productions.
Calcium, Boron, Iron and other micronutrients are also applied to the leaf. Lima Europe has a wide range of foliar fertilizers and special products for foliar application.
To verify the safe rate under local conditions, it is advisable to spray recommended rate on a few plants. After 3-4 days check the tested plants for scorching symptoms.
Strawberry fertilizer program
5 NPK Terra 12-44-12 + 6 CaO + 3 MgO + TE
5 NPK Multi 20-20-20 + 6 CaO + 3 MgO + TE
5 NPK Fructus 18-9-36 + 6 CaO + 3 MgO +TE
Grogreen Ca/B: 2-5 kg/ha. In order to correct Ca and Boron deficiency. Ca/B increases flowering and fruit set
Calciphos: 2-5 kg/ha from flowering to ripening stages. 2-3 applications
Iron E-13/Zn E-15: 3.5 kg/ha for drip irrigation. 1-2 kg/ha for foliar application. In order to correct possible deficiencies
proteKt-K50: 2 l/ha. For a supplement of K at fruit development stage
Micro/Gromix: 1-2 kg/ha