This research aimed to compare growth and fruit yield of strawberry plants grown in a closed substrate soilless system under three fertigation methods. The experiment was carried out at the Fitotecnia Department of the Federal University of Santa Maria, between May 14th and November 16th, 2007, in a bifactorial 3 x 2 randomised split plot experimental design and three replications. The main plots were the three fertigation methods and the split plots were the clones LBD 15.1 and LBG 168.1. The growing bed was the organic substrate Plantmax PXT®. The control (T1) was a complete nutrient solution. In T2, absorbed quantities of P, K, Ca and Mg were estimated and added in the substrate before planting. Nitrogen was supplied by fertigation during the cropping period. In T3, quantities of nutrients estimated for T2 were split in fortnight doses and delivered by fertigation using the same fertilizers employed in the complete nutrient solution. Fruit number and yield during the cropping period and vegetative dry matter at the end of the experiment were determined. Early and total fruit yield were lower in T2. It was concluded that for both clones, the fertigation using a complete nutrient solution can reach similar fruit yield as well as the supplying nutrients in fortnight doses, with a reduction in the consumption of fertilizers.
Fragaria x ananassa; substrate; soilless culture; nutrient solution
