Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Former M. Sc. Student, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Sari Agricultural sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran.
2
Assistance Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Research Institute of Medicinal Plants Biotechnologies, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran.
3
Assistance Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Sari Agricultural sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran.
10.30466/rip.2022.53638.1185
Abstract
Strawberries are among the most important small fruits and can be cultivated for more than one production cycle. Therefore, understanding the effect of first-year fertilization on second-year yield is essential. This study was conducted in soil culture using a factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was spring nitrogen fertilization (0, 150, and 300 kg·ha⁻¹ nitrogen in the form of urea) applied every other week, and the second factor was fall nitrogen fertilization (0, 50, and 100 kg·ha⁻¹ nitrogen in the form of urea) applied from late September to early October. The results showed that plants receiving 100 kg·ha⁻¹ nitrogen in the fall produced the maximum number of crowns (3.43) and the largest berries (length: 4.37 cm; width: 3.42 cm). Application of 300 kg·ha⁻¹ nitrogen in spring combined with 100 kg·ha⁻¹ nitrogen in fall resulted in the highest number of flowers (53), berry weight (24.35 g), and yield (1016.37 g·plant⁻¹). The highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant inhibition percentage were observed in the control treatment (15.45 mg·L⁻¹ juice and 72.93%, respectively). The highest vitamin C content was recorded in the treatment receiving 150 kg·ha⁻¹ spring nitrogen (33 mg·kg⁻¹). In general, the results indicate that nitrogen application in both spring and fall can increase second-year strawberry yield; however, excessive nitrogen rates may reduce the nutritional value of the fruit.
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