Effects of plant growth regulators on morphological features and the yield of strawberry (Fragaria x. ananassa) 'Sequóia'

Abstract

This trial was carried out in order to verify the effect of growth regulators on the yield and morphological features of strawberry (Fragaria x. ananassa) 'Sequóia'. The statistical lay-out was a randomized block with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The tested products were the gibberellic acid (30ppm), naphtaleneacetic acid (30ppm) and the biostimulants Ergostin (30ppm) and Atonik (30ppm). Three weekly applications of 10ppm were started just after plants entered the blooming stage. The results showed that there was no significant difference among treatments on the morphological aspects. However GA3 sprayed plants showed a different conformation. The treatments did not affect significantly average yield, total yield, not fruit classification (diameter and height). GA3 showed a tendency to increase the number of strawberry fruits. There was a significant interaction between number and size of strawberry fruits and the period of harvest for all treatments. Atonik increased fruit soluble sugar content (Brix index).