Effects of nitrogen and potassium applications on strawberry growth, yield and quality

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Abstract
The effects of increasing rates of N (as urea) and K on vegetative growth, nutrient uptake, fruit yield and quality of strawberries (Fragaria × anassa Duch.) was investigated in a field trial. In the first and second seasons there were small increases in plant growth and yields with the low rate of N but higher rates caused marked reductions in both growth and yields. With the high N rates accumulation of high levels of ammonium and soluble salts in the soil during spring of the first season was thought to have initially inhibited plant growth. Following nitrification of the accumulated ammonium, soil acidification occurred and consequently toxicities of Al and Mn limited strawberry growth at high N rates. In the second and third seasons there was a positive growth and yield response to the addition of K in the no‐N and low‐N treatments although rate of K had no influence. Increasing rates of K generally increased concentrations of leaf K and decreased those of Mg and Ca. Additions of K had no effect on chemical parameters of fruit quality. However, increasing rates of N raised concentrations of α‐amino acid‐N and applied N tended to raise concentrations of polyphenols and reduce those of ascorbic acid. Applications of N had variable effects on titratable acidity and sugar contents of fruit and year‐to‐year differences in quality parameters were generally greater than those caused by N additions.

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