Asian Journal of Plant Sciences

Year: 2013 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 201-207.

Plant Response of Strawberry to Intra-row Spacing and Growing Conditions in South of Jordan

E. Al-Ramamneh, Z. Al-Rawashdeh, M. Karajeh and S. Abu-Romman

Abstract: Fragaria×ananassa, is consumed fresh or used in making deserts and in food processing due to its high nutritive value. Thus, production practices for this crop have to be improved to meet the increasing demand for its fruits. A field study was carried out during 2010-2011 at Farah Private Farm, 25 km from Ma'am city in the southern part of Jordan to evaluate the growth of strawberries cv. Albion in response to 25 and 45 cm intra-row spacing. Small plants were transplanted early of March in rows or on raised-beds in a completely randomized block design and harvested in May. The results revealed that increasing intra-row spacing from 25-45 cm had favorable influence on biomass and growth characters of strawberries. Plants grown using 45 cm intra-row spacing recorded higher plant fresh weight (14.9 g), No. of leaves plant^-1 (5.6) and leaves dry weight plant^-1 (2.2 g) compared to plants grown using 25 cm intra-row spacing. Plants spaced 45 cm apart were also taller (14.7 cm) and had higher recent petiole length (8.7 cm). Strawberries spaced wide had higher total leaf area and thus are supposed to receive more light by their canopy than plants in close spacing. Flower and fruit characteristics of strawberries grown at 45 cm intra-row spacing were also enhanced compared to plants spaced 25 cm apart. The use of wide spacing had significantly increased fruits yield up to 17.4 g plant^-1. The study concluded that 45 cm intra-row spacing enhanced growth, plant biomass and fruit yield plant^-1 of strawberries compared to 25 cm intra-row spacing.

Keywords: Fragaria×ananassa, plant growth, cultural practices