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A fertilization recommendation for strawberries in various parts of the world

Fertilization recommendations for growing strawberries, depending on various factors and fertilization method

Strawberry with Haifa fertilizerSoilless

Growing medium: Rockwool.
Plant population: 35,000 plants/ha.
Expected yield: 40-50 T/Ha.

A. Recommended mean rates of nutrients

Growth period

Weeks

N

P

K

Ca

Mg

--------------------- mg/l --------------------

Planting - Veg

1-6

110

33

140

106

50

Early prod.

7-14

200

90

170

106

50

Flowering- Fruit

15-21

150

45

100

85-110

50

Fruit - Set-rip

22-25

120

20

100

85-110

30

Harvesting

26-33

100

20

100

85-110

30

Harvesting

34-35

100

20

100

85-110

30

Harvesting

36-39

70

17

80

65-110

30

 

B. Nutrient solution parameters

pH

EC ms/cm

NH4/(NO3+NH4)

5.5-6.5

1.5-2.0

1/10

 

C. Nutrient solution for strawberries

The calculation of nutrient solution composition is based on the following water parameters:

 Ca - 80 mg/l
 Mg - 12 mg/l
 HCO3 - 80 mg/l
 EC - 0.5 ms/cm

Growth period

Weeks

Tank A

Tank B

AN

Multi-K

MKP

MAP

Mg(NO3)2

Ca(NO3)2

------------------ Kg ------------------

------ Kg ------

Planting - Veg

1-6

-

50

30

30

40

30

Early prod.

7-14

55

60

40

30

40

30

Flowering - Fruit

15-21

60

30

30

10

40

0*

Fruit - Set-rip

22-25

45

45

10

10

15

0

Harvesting

26-33

30

45

10 

10

15

0

Harvesting

34-35

30

45

10

10

15

0

Harvesting

36-39

15

45

10

10

15

0

 

Notes: Soilless strawberry greenhouse

1. The tank volumes are 1000 liter.
2. The stock solutions are injected to the pipeline at a rate of 5 l/m3.
3. 20 ml/m3 of nitric acid are applied to the irrigation solution in each of the growth periods as an additional nitrate-nitrogen source.
4. If the pH of the nutrient solution is higher than recommended (Table B- above) the pH can be corrected by phosphoric acid. In this case the amount of the phosphatic fertilizers should be reduced accordingly.
* The supply of calcium is stopped at this stage assuming sufficiently high level of 
calcium in the water (see above).

 

Nutrition database for strawberry

Parameter

Concentration

Peat substrate

Recirculating water

Nutrient Solution

Root Environ.

Nutrient Solution

Root Environ.

EC (mS/cm)

1.7

0.8

1.5

2.0

 

(mg/l)

(mg/l)

NH4

18.0

< 9.0

9.0

< 9.0

N- NH4

13.8

< 6.9

6.9

< 6.9

K in sap        
K

215.1

74.3

205.3

176.0

Ca

130.3

68.2

110.3

180.5

Mg

30.4

17.0

27.3

48.6

N, total        
NO3

713.0

248.0

620.0

744.0

N-NO3

160.9

56.0

140.0

167.9

S, total        
SO4

144.2

105.7

108.1

240.3

P        
H2PO4

97.0

29.1

121.3

67.9

Cl        
Na        
         
Fe

1.117

0.447

1.117

1.955

Mn

0.549

0.110

0.549

0.385

Zn

0.458

0.196

0.262

0.458

B

0.270

0.108

0.216

0.216

Cu

0.048

0.044

0.048

0.044

Mo

0.048

-

0.048

-

 

Important note: The a/m database was prepared to fit Dutch conditions (low transpiration and low EC of the water). Considerable and proportional reduction in the concentration of the macronutrients should be required to offset for lower quality water prevailing in other conditions.

sources:

  • N. Straver. Nutrient solutions for vegetables and flowers grown in water or substrates. 10th Ed. 1994.
  • C. de Kreij, Sonneveld C., Warmenhoven M.G. and Straver N.A. Guide values for nutrient element contents of vegetables and flowers under glass. 3rd Ed. 1992.

 

Fertilization of strawberry in the UK

Open Ground Pre Plant fertilisers

The texture and nutritional status of the soil influence strawberry nutritional requirements. Lighter soils tend to leach Nitrogen and Potassium more easily than medium and heavier soils, likewise for tabletop and gutter production, substrates can be either Vapoboards, Grodan and Growbags (Peat, Peat/ Polymer and Peat /Clay). The nutritional application programme must be tailored accordingly to the type of substrate.

All figures in kg/ha of P2O5, K2O and MgO.

Notes:

  1. Pre plant fertilisers may be applied either as inorganic straights or as an organic based/inorganic compound.
  2. If more than 50Kg of Potash is required on plants grown through polythene covered raised beds, apply a fertilizer based on Sulphate of Potash.

 

 

Suggested Pre-Plant fertilizer rates for soil grown fertilizers *

Source: Dennis Wilson - Strawberry Handbook 1997.

 

Index

0

1

2

3

4

P2O5

200

100

75

50

-

K2O

200

100

50

-

-

MgO

100

75

50

25

-

 

Fertigation

Many different liquid and water soluble fertilizers are marketed for soft fruit production, the major products are listed below. Products range from cheaper formulations with poor quality agricultural grade materials. Whilst cheaper, these products contain high levels of insoluble which can cause blockages to irrigation lines and T-Tape. Cheaper products with a high Chloride content may also cause root scorch and cause increased problems with soft watery fruits.
 
At the top end of the market a higher quality raw material is used, this results in higher purchase prices but guarantees improved solubility, reduced Chlorine contents and better water quality.

 

Suggested fertigation rates for soil grown strawberries

Source: Dennis Wilson - Strawberry Handbook 1997.

 

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

No Weeks

Junebearers          
- Tunnels

60

30

120

15

20-24

- Maincrop Yr. 1

50

25

100

10

16-20

Final Yr

40

20

80

8

10-12

- 60 days

40

20

80

8

12-15

Everbearers

60-75

30

120

15

20-24

 Notes:

  1. These rates are for medium /light soils with appropriate pre fertilizer applied following a soil analysis.
  2. Everberares – Use a low N rate for Tango/Bolero and other varieties where tissue N levels are adequate. Use higher rates on Evita/Selva where N tissue levels are low.
  3. In Scotland were the growing season is shorter and soil fertility is higher N application rates can be reduced by 20-25%.

 

Fertigation recommendations for soil grown strawberries (kg/ha)

 

a) Elsanta.

 

Timing

No. of weeks

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

Tunnels

Apr-Sept

24

60

301

50

18

Fleece

May / Sept

22

60

30

150

15

Maincrop            
* Year 1

May / Sept

20

60

30

120

12

* Final year

May / June

10

40

20

80

10

Deep straw

May / July

10

50

25

100

10

60 day crops

June-Sept

15

50

25

100

10

b) Everbearers.
Year 1            
* Bolero

June-Sept

16

60

30

120

12

* Everest/Selva

May-Sept

20

75*

30

120

12

* Everglade

May-Sept

20

80

40

160

16

Year 2            
* Everest

May-Sept

20

75

38

150

15

 Notes:

  1. These application rates and timings are for crops grown at standard densities on medium textured soils. Rates may need to be adjusted for very light or fertile soils, or where a very high cropping density is employed.
  2. For Everest and Selva, extra Nitrogen is added to the feed during Fruiting-  but it is important not to overfeed during early crop growth in May.

 

Recommendation for field-grown strawberries in Israel, when demand is maximal

Nitrogen
N should be supplied at 1.5 – 2.5 kg N / ha /day.
Soil solution should contain 20-30 ppm of nitrate-N at all times.
 
Phosphorus
P should be kept at 20-30 ppm (Olsen)
 
Potassium
K should be kept at 1-2 mEq/liter.

 

 

Fertilization of field-grown strawberries in Thailand

Soil: medium - heavy.
Plant density: 35,000 plants/ha.
Expected yield: 37-50 T/Ha.

 

A. Total nutrients requirements

N

P2O5

K2O

----------- kg/ha -----------

150-218

112-130

218-250

 

 

B. Fertigation recommendations

Growth stage

Suggested fertilizers

Rate (kg/ha)

N

P2O5

K2O

----------(kg/ha)----------

Planting – 2 months

Urea

63

29

0

0

MAP

63

7

37

0

Multi-K

82

10

0

37

Flowering – fruit-set

Urea

81

37

0

0

MAP

31

4

19

0

Multi-K

113

15

0

52

Fruit-set - harvest

Urea

125

58

0

0

MAP

50

6

30

0

Multi-K

218

28

0

100

Late harvest

Multi-K

125

16

0

58

Total  

1,076

210

86

247

 

C. Foliar feeding recommendations

Growth stage

Fertilizer

Rate (%)

Number of applications and frequency

Vegatative

Poly-Feed 19-19-19

0.4

4, at weekly intervals

Start of flowering

MKP

0.3-0.4

4, at weekly intervals

Base dressing recommendations (kg/hectare)

For extensive growth conditions

 

N

P2O5

K2O

CaO

MgO

150

150

240

120

60

 

Need more information about growing strawberries? You can always return to the strawberry fertilizer program & strawberry crop guide table of contents