Phyllochron, and root system development of six strawberry cultivars with different photoperiodic flowering responses

Bare-root strawberry plants produced in Patagonia accumulate more reserves in the main crown, which allows their immediate development after transplantation. Due to the dependence on these bare-root plants, Brazilian producers use early cultivars, which start the leaves emission and the flower buds differentiation in advance, since these bare-root plants do not always arrive within the estimated time for planting in southern Brazil. The objective of the work was to investigate whether six strawberry cultivars, produced in a greenhouse, differ in their phyllochron, and root system development. Six cultivars were tested, arranged in a randomized block design, with four replications. Bare-root plants were cultivated in soil in a greenhouse. The phyllochron was evaluated by counting the number of leaves, weekly, from the beginning of leaf emission (from the main crown) until the appearance of the first fruit. The roots were digitized by a scanner and the images analyzed by the WinRHIZO® software. ‘Camarosa’ cultivar was considered the earliest to start fruiting, as it had the lowest phyllochron value (69.93ºC day-1 leaf-1), while the cultivar ‘San Andreas’ was the latest (166.67ºC day-1 leaf-1). ‘Albion’ and ‘Aromas’ presented the highest total root length in relation to the other cultivars. In conclusion, the six strawberry cultivars analyzed in this study, with different photoperiodic classifications regarding flowering, differ in relation to their morphophenological performance. In the growing conditions of southern Brazil, phyllochron study indicates that ‘Camarosa’ cultivar is the earliest and ‘San Andreas’ cultivar is the latest. ‘Albion’ and ‘Aromas’ cultivars are more compact plants, with greater potential for the development of the root system

Strawberry cultivars fruit production and postharvest from two types of saplings

The establishment of strawberry crops in southern Brazil is conditioned on the delivery of bare-root saplings imported from Argentina and/or Chile. An alternative to reduce dependence on the acquisition of these saplings is their replacement by clod-rooted saplings that form a clod. However, information on the agronomic performance of clod-rooted saplings is scarce. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the association between types of saplings and strawberry cultivars alters fruit production and postharvest. The treatments were three cultivars (Fronteras, Monterey and Portola) and two types of saplings (bare-root and rooted in a clod), arranged in a randomized block design, with three replications. The productive potential and chemical quality of fruits were evaluated. Plants from saplings rooted in clods showed higher number and fruit production. Plants from bare -root saplings produced larger fruits. The postharvest of fruits was not altered by the treatments. It is concluded that the productive potential and postharvest of fruits of strawberry cultivars is not associated with the types of saplings studied. Regardless of the cultivar, plants from saplings rooted in clods are more productive. The three cultivars tested, of saplings with bare-roots or rooted in clods, present a balanced relationship between sugar and acidity, giving the desired flavor to the fruits in their postharvest period.The establishment of strawberry crops in southern Brazil is conditioned on the delivery of bare-root saplings imported from Argentina and/or Chile. An alternative to reduce dependence on the acquisition of these saplings is their replacement by clod-rooted saplings that form a clod. However, information on the agronomic performance of clod-rooted saplings is scarce. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the association between types of saplings and strawberry cultivars alters fruit production and postharvest. The research was carried out at the Horticulture Sector of the University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from March to December 2020, in a greenhouse. The plant material for the research consisted of saplings with bare-roots and saplings rooted in clods. The treatments were three cultivars (‘Fronteras’, ‘Monterey’ and ‘Portola’) and two types of saplings (bare-root and rooted in a clod), arranged in a randomized block design, with three replications and ten plants per plot. The productive potential and chemical quality of fruits were evaluated. Plants from saplings rooted in clods showed higher number and fruit production. Plants from bare -root saplings produced larger fruits. The postharvest of fruits was not altered by the treatments. The productive potential and postharvest of fruits of strawberry cultivars are not associated with the different types of saplings studied. Regardless of the cultivar used, plants from saplings rooted in clods have greater productive potential compared to plants from bare-root saplings. The fruits of the three cultivars tested in this study, from saplings with bare-roots or rooted in clods, present a balanced relationship between sugar and acidity, which makes the strawberries suitable for consumption

Phenology and phyllochron of seven strawberry cultivars grown in substrate and greenhouse in the Brazilian subtropics

Knowing the phenology and phyllochron of strawberry cultivars allows the establishment of phytotechnical managements aimed at enhancing the productive chain of this horticultural crop. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate whether phenology and phyllochron differ among strawberry cultivars grown in substrate and greenhouse. The treatments were seven strawberry cultivars arranged in a randomized block design, with four replications. Leaf emission rate, occurrence and duration of phenological stages were evaluated. ‘Fronteras’ was considered the earliest to start fruiting, as it had the lowest phyllochron value, while ‘Albion’ was the latest. Through multivariate analysis, the formation of two groups among strawberry cultivars was observed according to their phenological characteristics. Group 1 gathered the five strawberry cultivars classified as having neutral-days in terms of flowering and group 2 was composed of the two short-day cultivars. It is concluded that, under the cultivation conditions of southern Brazil, ‘Fronteras’ is the earliest to start the fruit harvest, provided it is transplanted in May, and ‘Albion’ is the latest. Neutral-day cultivars have a shorter transplant cycle until the beginning of harvest, while short-day cultivars require a longer interval for this transition, with a prolonged vegetative period.Knowing the phenology and phyllochron of strawberry cultivars allows the establishment of phytotechnical managements aimed at enhancing the productive chain of this horticultural crop. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate whether phenology and phyllochron differ among strawberry cultivars grown in substrate and greenhouse. The treatments were seven strawberry cultivars arranged in a randomized block design, with four replications. Leaf emission rate, occurrence and duration of phenological stages were evaluated. ‘Fronteras’ was considered the earliest to start fruiting, as it had the lowest phyllochron value, while ‘Albion’ was the latest. Through multivariate analysis, the formation of two groups among strawberry cultivars was observed according to their phenological characteristics. Group 1 gathered the five strawberry cultivars classified as having neutral-days in terms of flowering and group 2 was composed of the two short-day cultivars. It is concluded that, under the cultivation conditions of southern Brazil, ‘Fronteras’ is the earliest to start the fruit harvest, provided it is transplanted in May, and ‘Albion’ is the latest. Neutral-day cultivars have a shorter transplant cycle until the beginning of harvest, while short-day cultivars require a longer interval for this transition, with a prolonged vegetative period

Arbuscular mycorrhiza potentiates the quality of fruits but does not influence the precocity of goldenberry plants / A micorriza arbuscular potencializa a qualidade de frutos mas não influencia a precocidade de plantas de fisális

The alternative to minimize the impacts to the agroecosystem and to establish a sustainable management for the goldenberry cultivation (Physalis peruviana L.) corresponds to the use of inoculants based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, this biotechnological tool is lacking and unknown to producers. The objective of the research was to investigate whether goldenberry plants in the absence and presence of inoculation with AMF differ in their horticultural potential. The treatments were absence of inoculation (control) and three mycorrhizal inoculants, arranged in a randomized block design, with five replications. The phyllochron, mycorrhizal colonization and fruit quality were evaluated. Non-mycorrhized plants had a higher leaf appearance rate and, therefore, a lower phyllochron value. Mycorrhizal colonization was greater in roots of plants produced with Glomus intraradices. Less acid and more tasty fruits were produced by plants inoculated with AMF, regardless of the fungal treatment used. In conclusion, goldenberry plants in the absence and presence of inoculation with AMF have different horticultural potential. Plants devoid of arbuscular mycorrhiza are earlier to start flowering. The fungal species G. intraradices is more effective in colonizing the roots of the plant host. Plants submitted to mycorrhizal biotechnology potentiate the chemical quality of berries

Rock powder as a tool in the production of arugula seedlings in substrates

The interaction between rock powder and substrates in arugula and the amount to be used of this remineralizer are not elucidated. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate whether substrates associated with rock powder interfere with the phytometric morphology of seedlings and to understand the effect of remineralizer proportions, added to commercial substrate, on the development of arugula seedlings. We performed two experiments. In experiment I, the treatments were three substrates in the absence and presence of rock powder (30% of the container volume), designed in randomized blocks, with three replications. In experiment II, the treatments were six rock powder proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the container volume), designed in randomized blocks, with three replications. In experiment I, the seedlings produced in the substrate Horta 2® had better phytometric quality. In experiment II, shoot fresh mass and seedling root volume increased until the addition of 15% rock powder to the Horta 2® substrate and decreased with proportions of 20% and 25%. It is concluded that substrates with greater water retention enhance the quality of seedlings. Increasing the proportion of this remineralizer up to 15% of the container volume improves aerial biomass and root volume of arugula seedlings.La interacción entre el polvo de roca y los sustratos en la rúcula y la cantidad a utilizar de este remineralizador no están dilucidadas. Así, el objetivo del estudio fue investigar si los sustratos asociados a polvo de roca interfieren en la morfología fitométrica de las plántulas y comprender el efecto de las proporciones de remineralizante, añadidas en sustrato comercial, sobre el desarrollo de plántulas de rúcula. Realizamos dos experimentos. En el experimento I, los tratamientos fueron tres sustratos en ausencia y presencia de polvo de roca (30% del volumen del contenedor), diseñados en bloques al azar, con tres repeticiones. En el experimento II, los tratamientos fueron seis proporciones de polvo de roca (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% y 25% del volumen del recipiente), diseñados en bloques al azar, con tres repeticiones. En el experimento I, las plántulas producidas en el sustrato Horta 2® tuvieron mejor calidad fitométrica. En el experimento II, la masa fresca de brotes y el volumen de raíces de las plántulas aumentaron hasta la adición de un 15% de polvo de roca al sustrato Horta 2® y disminuyeron con proporciones de 20% y 25%. Se concluye que los sustratos con mayor retención de agua mejoran la calidad de las plántulas. Aumentar la proporción de este remineralizador hasta un 15% del volumen del contenedor mejora la biomasa aérea y el volumen de raíces de las plántulas de rúcula.The interaction between rock powder and substrates in arugula and the amount to be used of this remineralizer are not elucidated. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate whether substrates associated with rock powder interfere with the phytometric morphology of seedlings and to understand the effect of remineralizer proportions, added to commercial substrate, on the development of arugula seedlings. We performed two experiments. In experiment I, the treatments were three substrates in the absence and presence of rock powder (30% of the container volume), designed in randomized blocks, with three replications. In experiment II, the treatments were six rock powder proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of the container volume), designed in randomized blocks, with three replications. In experiment I, the seedlings produced in the substrate Horta 2® had better phytometric quality. In experiment II, shoot fresh mass and seedling root volume increased until the addition of 15% rock powder to the Horta 2® substrate and decreased with proportions of 20% and 25%. There is no interactive effect between substrates and rock powder in the production of arugula seedlings in containers. Substrates with greater water retention enhance the quality of arugula seedlings because they improve their phytometric morphology. Proportions of rock powder added to the Horta 2® substrate interfere with the shoot and root system morphology of the seedlings. The increase in the proportion of this remineralizer up to 15% of the container volume, added to the growth medium, improves the aerial biomass and the root volume of arugula seedlings, ‘Donatella’ cultivar

Performance of the root system of tomato plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and submitted to the grafting technique

Information about the combined use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in grafted horticultural crops are scarce, as is the case of tomato. Therefore, we investigated if the association between AMF and the grafting technique modifies the performance of the root system of tomato plants grown on substrate. The treatments, outlined in a two-factorial scheme, were absence of inoculation and two inoculants of AMF (Rhizophagus clarus and mycorrhizal community) inserted in grafted and non-grafted tomato plants. The experiment was designed entirely at random, with five replications. The evaluations in the root system of the plants were carried out at 30 and 120 days after transplantation (DAT). Grafted plants evaluated at 30 DAT showed greater mycorrhizal colonization when cultivated with R. clarus. However, in the 120 DAT evaluation, the greatest mycorrhizal colonization was observed in non-grafted plants produced with the mycorrhizal community. At 120 DAT, the plants produced with the mycorrhizal community showed a more developed root system in relation to non-mycorrhized plants. The root system of plants non-grafted at 120 DAT was more robust when compared to grafted plants. In conclusion, the AMF-grafting interface interferes in the mycorrhizal colonization of the root system of tomato plants. The grafting technique does not improve the development of the root system. The inoculation of tomato plants with the mycorrhizal community enhances the development of roots at 120 DAT.Information about the combined use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in grafted horticultural crops are scarce, as is the case of tomato. Therefore, we investigated if the association between AMF and the grafting technique modifies the performance of the root system of tomato plants grown on substrate. The treatments, outlined in a two-factorial scheme, were absence of inoculation and two inoculants of AMF (Rhizophagus clarus and mycorrhizal community) inserted in grafted and non-grafted tomato plants. The experiment was designed entirely at random, with five replications. The evaluations in the root system of the plants were carried out at 30 and 120 days after transplantation (DAT). Grafted plants evaluated at 30 DAT showed greater mycorrhizal colonization when cultivated with R. clarus. However, in the 120 DAT evaluation, the greatest mycorrhizal colonization was observed in non-grafted plants produced with the mycorrhizal community. At 120 DAT, the plants produced with the mycorrhizal community showed a more developed root system in relation to non-mycorrhized plants. The root system of plants non-grafted at 120 DAT was more robust when compared to grafted plants. In conclusion, the AMF-grafting interface interferes in the mycorrhizal colonization of the root system of tomato plants. The grafting technique does not improve the development of the root system. The inoculation of tomato plants with the mycorrhizal community enhances the development of roots at 120 DAT

In Vitro Morphogenesis of Gypsophila: Response to Exogenous Phytohormones

The success of in vitro cultivation of plant species depends on factors associated with the induction and control of morphogenesis regarding the regeneration of shoots and roots in the organogenesis process, such as the culture medium composition. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate whether the concentration of growth regulators in culture medium interferes with the in vitro morphogenesis of gypsophila. ‘Golan’ cultivar was subjected to three culture media (M), which constituted the study treatments: M1) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without addition of growth regulators; M2) MS + 1 mg L-1 of benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.05 mg L-1 of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA); M3) MS + 0.05 mg L-1 BAP + 1 mg L-1 NAA. After 45 days, the multiplication rate, plant height and root length were evaluated. The results showed that plantlets produced in M2 medium had a higher multiplication rate. Also, plantlets produced in M1 and M3 media showed higher shoot height and root length. It is concluded that there is a difference in the in vitro morphogenesis of gypsophila according to the concentration of growth regulators in the micropropagation medium

Agronomic performance of strawberry cultivated in substrate with rock powder / Desempenho agronômico de morangueiro cultivado em substrato com pó-de-rocha

Although different studies have shown beneficial effects of using rock powder on plants, no research has been done to determine the influence of adding this input to the strawberry growing substrate (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.). Thus, we investigated whether proportions of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate interfere in the agronomic performance of strawberry. The treatments tested were five proportions of rock powder (0%, 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the volume of the container). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, with four replications. The supply of fertigation was reduced by half in order to verify whether the rock powder would be able to supply part of the nutrient demand required by the strawberry. The determination coefficient obtained was 0.83, indicating that the total production of fruits (TP) was explained in 83% by the proportions of rock powder added. We also observed that TP decreased linearly with the increase in the proportion of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate. TP was also negatively associated with the increase in the density of the culture media. In conclusion, increasing amounts of rock powder added to the cultivation substrate create a denser environment, not providing the necessary quantities for the development of the strawberry and this reduces its productive potential

Mycorrhizal Biotechnology Reduce Phosphorus in the Nutrient Solution of Strawberry Soilless Cultivation Systems

Among the bio-tools that contribute to making the strawberry production system more sustainable are arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which can be used as biofertilizers. Thus, five doses of phosphorus (P) applied to plants with AMF and a control (100% P, no AMF) were analyzed in order to differentiate the horticultural potential of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar. We used an on-farm inoculant made up of six fungal species. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the addition of AMF to the growing substrate made it possible to reduce the P supply in the nutrient solution by 75% without compromising the fruit yield. In addition, this combination improved the phytochemical quality of strawberries, the plant’s root system morphology, and the accumulation of nutrients in plant organs (roots, crowns, aerial part and fruits). We conclude that the use of a multi-species on-farm inoculant based on AMF associated with a reduction in the P supply in the nutrient solution modifies the horticultural potential of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar. We confirmed the action of a native AMF community as a biofertilizer