The Response of ‘Scott’ and ‘Redchief’ Strawberries to a Raised Bed System of Culture

Reviewed Research Paper

Abstract

In 1980 ‘Scott’ and ‘Redchief’ strawberry plants were established in a factorial experiment testing 2 bedtypes (flat and 25 cm raised), 2 mother plant spacings (13 and 50 cm) and 6 trickle irrigation/injected nitrogen treatments. Trickle irrigation/injected nitrogen treatments had no effect on growth or yield parameters. ‘Scott’ plants had larger root, crown and total dry weights on raised as compared to flat beds. ‘Scott’ total yield was lower on raised as compared to flat beds. ‘Scott’ yield was unaffected by mother plant spacing. ‘Redchief’ plants on raised beds had higher leaf Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) penetration, higher leaf P, lower leaf Ca and lower early yields than those on flat beds. Bedtype did not influence total yield on ‘Redchief.’ ‘Redchief’ plants at 13 cm had higher first year yields than those at 50 cm.