The effects of conditioning strawberry plug plants under altered red/far red light environment on subsequent performance

Abstract

The effect of altered red/far red light environment on subsequent field performance of strawberry plug plants was tested over two seasons. Two wavelength-selective plastic films were compared to neutral shade and full-sun control for conditioning \u27Chandler\u27 strawberry plug plants prior to transplanting to a winter production system. The following year, plug plants of \u27Chandler\u27, \u27Sweet Charlie\u27 and \u27Allstar\u27 were conditioned under the same treatments, with the addition of a continuous incandescent light and a short-day photoperiod. During the first year, the red light-filtering film slightly advanced flowering. During the second season however, the short-day treatment resulted in a greater reduction in runnering and increased early crown and flower development. For June-bearing strawberry plants maintained above 20\u27C, altering the red/far red environment did not consistently advance flowering