Extended Supplementation of Nutrient Solution for Runner Plant Production Improved the Growth of Runner Plants and Enhanced the Reproduction Rate and Quality of 'Maehyang' Strawberry Fruits

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the optimum supply period of nutrient solution for the growth of runner plants as well as the flowering, fruit quality, and yield of `Maehyang' strawberry. The runner plants separated from the mother plants were divided into 5 groups, each receiving a supply period treatment of watering (W) and nutrient solution (N) [control (W40), combination of W and N: W20 + N20, W25 + N15, W30 + N10, and W35 + N5]. The EC and pH were 0.6 dS . m(-1) and 6.5, respectively. The treated runner plants were transplanted to the strawberry growing pots filled with a commercial growing medium on September 13, 2017 and managed with EC 0.6 to 1.2 dS . m(-1) strawberry nutrient solution. Growth characteristics and mineral elements of the runner plants were measured at 40 days after treatment. The crown diameter, fresh weight of shoot, and the leaf area were significantly higher in the W20 + N20 group. The P, Mg, S, and Fe contents in the runner plant leaves significantly increased in the W20 + N20 and the W25 + N15 groups. In addition, the C/N ratio was 7.81% higher in the W20 + N20 group than in groups that had received other treatments. The budding ratio and flowering of primary and secondary inflorescences in the W20 + N20 group were approximately 3 to 9 days faster compared to the control. The fruit characteristics, such as weight, length, diameter, firmness, soluble solids content, and acidity, were not significantly different across the groups. The total number of fruits and marketable fruit yield showed positive results in the W20 +N20 group during the total harvest period. The results indicate that the supply period of nutrient solution has a direct impact on the growth of runner plants of `Maehyang' strawberry, and may also affect parameters of reproductive growth, such as flowering response and fruit yield after transplanting.