UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Recommendation Series: Strawberry
This publication presents to growers the official UF/IFAS nutrient management recommendations for strawberry based on crop nutrient requirements determined by the UF/IFAS vegetable program and soil tests performed by the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory.
General Information
- UF/IFAS fertilization and liming recommendations are advisory in nature and emphasize efficient fertilizer use and environmentally sound nutrient management without losses of yield or crop quality.
- Recommendations assume that nutrients will be supplied from commercial fertilizer, and expected crop yields and quality will be typical of economically viable production.
- Recommendations assume straight fertilizers (i.e., single nutrient sources) will be used to apply nutrients. If multi-nutrient fertilizers are used, the fertilizer analysis should align with recommended nutrient rate ratios.
- Consider UF/IFAS recommendations in the context of the overall nutrient management strategy. Evaluate fertilizer rates, timing, placement, and source for efficiency and consider the return on fertilizer investment.
- If organic soil amendments are applied, understand and account for nutrient contributions and other benefits of adding organic matter.
- For best results, follow these recommendations in their entirety. The UF/IFAS recommendation is a holistic combination of fertilizer rates plus nutrient management aspects including irrigation.
Soil Test Interpretations for Strawberry
Table 1. For crop production on acidic, mineral soils. Extractant: Mehlich 3.
Fertilizer Rates
Table 2. Target pH range and recommended annual N, P2O5, and K2O fertilizer rates for strawberry. Phosphorus and potassium rates are based on the interpretation of a Mehlich-3 soil test.
- Indicated fertilizer rates, plus the nutrients already in the soil, will satisfy the crop nutrient requirement for this cropping season. Excessive fertilization has been shown to reduce vegetable quality.
- On soils that have not been farmed within the past two years or where micronutrients are known to be deficient, apply 5 lb Mn, 3 lb Zn, 4 lb Fe, 3 lb Cu, and 1.5 lb B per acre. Because some micronutrients can build up in the soil, soil testing should be used to monitor micronutrient status every two years, avoiding micronutrient toxicity. When deciding on micronutrient applications, consider which micronutrients are added to the crop via fungicides.
- When the soil tests low in magnesium (Mg), applying up to 35 lb Mg/acre might be needed. When liming is recommended, Mg can be supplied in fertilizer or from dolomitic limestone. Calcium (Ca) concentrations are typically sufficient in most soils farmed continuously or where the Mehlich-3 Ca index is >300 ppm. Ca is added during liming activities and from calcium carbonate present in irrigation water drawn from aquifers in Florida. These sources should be considered when determining Ca fertilizer needs.
- If relay crops are planted on the same beds following or before strawberry crop termination, additional fertilizers may be applied using drip irrigation. Squash and cucumber planted as relay crops may not need substantial additional fertilizers.
Fertilizer Timing
Table 3. N and K fertilizer timing for drip irrigation.
Fertilizer Placement
- Depending on the nutrient, inject, band, or incorporate fertilizer into the soil. Rates in Table 3 should be followed for optimum yield and quality.
- Applying fertilizers through drip irrigation (fertigation) can increase the efficiency of leachable nutrients, such as N and K.
Fertilizer Sources
- Supply most of the N in the nitrate form if soils were treated with multipurpose fumigants or if the soil temperature will stay below 60°F for up to one week following transplanting or germination.
- Growers who consider applying preplant N are strongly encouraged to use slow-release N sources, like sulfur-coated urea or isobutylidene diurea (IBDU), or controlled-release (CRF) sources, like polymer-coated fertilizers.
Water Management
- Fertilizer and water management are linked. Maximum fertilizer efficiency is achieved only with close attention to water management.
- Supply only enough irrigation water to satisfy crop requirements. Excess irrigation may result in the leaching of N and K, creating possible plant deficiencies.
- Consult EDIS publications #AE354, “Automatic Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture for Vegetable Crops” (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AE354) and #AE260, “Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables” (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV107).
References
Agehara, S., and G. Hochmuth. 2023. “Fertilization of Strawberries in Florida.” EDIS 2023 (4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-CV003-2023
Hochmuth, G., and E. Hanlon. 2011. “A Summary of N and K Research With Strawberry in Florida: SL 344/CV229, Rev. 3/2011.” EDIS 2011 (4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv229-2011
Liu, G. D., E. H. Simonne, K. T. Morgan, and G. J. Hochmuth. (2006) 2015. “Soil and Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida: HS711/CV101, Rev. 2/2015.” EDIS 2015 (2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv101-2006
Liu, G., E. H. Simonne, K. T. Morgan, G. Hochmuth, S. Agehara, R. Mylavarapu, and C. Frey. 2023. “Chapter 2. Fertilizer Management for Vegetable Production in Florida: VPH Ch. 2, CV296, Rev. 6/2023.” EDIS 2023 (VPH). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv296-2023
Mylavarapu, R., G. Hochmuth, and G. Liu. 2022. “UF/IFAS Standardized Nutrient Recommendations for Vegetable Crop Production in Florida: CIR1152/CV002, Rev. 12/2021.” EDIS 2021 (6). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-cv002-2021
