• Topics: Horticultural Sciences | Gulf Coast REC | Golden, Elizabeth A | Duval, John R | Strawberry Cultural Practices

Root Pruning of Strawberry Transplants¹

In Florida annual hill strawberry production, bare rooted transplants are hand planted for establishment. Northern latitude or high elevation nurseries produce these transplants during the summer months and begin digging plants in September for winter production areas. The green-topped bare root transplants arrive in Florida with varying amounts of root development and number of mature leaves. These plants are planted on raised, black polyethylene mulch beds. Commonly, the root mass exceeds the size of the planting hole, requiring a folding of the roots (J rooting).

Rapid growth of the root system is critical for transplant establishment, and the strawberry root system should be well established within 2 to 3 months after transplanting (Galletta and Himelrick, 1990). Rapid growth insures the delivery of water and nutrients essential for flower and fruit development. The strawberry root system consists of two types of roots, large adventitious roots which differentiate slowly from the crown, and fibrous branch roots, which differentiate from the large roots (White 1927). Rapid development of fibrous branch roots is vital to transplant health as strawberry roots rarely have plant hairs. Instead of root hairs they possess many-branched feeder rootlets with fascicles, which appear like root hairs (Wilhelm and Nelson, 1970). Feeder rootlets have no cambia, are composed only of primary tissue, have a life expectancy of a few days to a few weeks, and are concerned primarily with water and nutrient absorption. Dead fascicles are constantly replaced by new rootlets.

In trials conducted at the GCREC-Dover, root pruning to 9 or 5 cm had no detectable effect on early or total marketable weight (Table 1) or fruit number (data not presented) compared to unpruned controls. Seasonal differences in early yields were lower during the 2000-2001 season due to unseasonable cold in the Dec. and Jan. months. While root mass at planting had no effect on marketable yields at planting, smaller root masses were much easier to plant. Excessive amounts of roots must be forced into small planting holes, resulting in “J” rooting, which requires extra time and effort. Commercial growers in Florida do not currently root prune to facilitate planting but the practice may have utility in commercial fields.

Literature Cited

Darrow, G.M. 1966. The Strawberry: History, Breeding, and Physiology. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York

Galletta, G.J. and D.G Himelrick (Eds) Small Fruit Crop Management. Chapter 3. Strawberry Management. 1990. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs N.J.

White, P.R. 1927. Studies of the Physiological Anatomy of Strawberry. J. Agric. Res. 35:481-492

Wilhelm. S., and P.E. Nelson. 1970. A Concept of Rootlet Health of Strawberries in Pathogen-free Field Soil Achieved by Fumigation. P 208-215. In T.A. Toussoun, R.V. Bega, and P.E. Nelson (eds). Root Diseases and Soil-borne Pathogens. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Tables

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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