Effect of planting date on yield and yield components in soiless culture of three strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars in Sari climate

Abstract

The aim of present study was determination of optimum planting date for soiless culture of three strawberry comertial cultivars for Sari climatic conditions in northen Iran. A factorial pot experiment, based on completely randomized design, was conducted with four planting dates at one month intervals from October 1 to December 30 for three strawberry cultivars (Gaviota, Queen Elisa and Camarosa) with 3 replications and 5 plants in each replication. Results showed that the highest yield (403.25 g per plant) and the highest fruit set (80.72%) were obtained for Camarosa cultivar at November 1 planting date. The lowest unmarketable fruits (1.54%) belonged to Camarosa at November 30 planting date. At October 1 planting date, Queen Elisa and Camarosa cultivars produced the highest average number of crowns (2.66) and Gaviota cultivar produced the highest average number of leaves (24.33), inflorescences (6) and flowers (42). At November 1 planting date, the highest average number of fruits (23.8) and fruit weight (16.61 g) were produced by Camarosa cultivar. Therefore, Camarosa and Gaviota had higher yield in Sari climatic conditions and optimum planting date for Gaviota, Queen Elisa cultivars was October 1 and for Camarosa cultivar was November 1.