CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF STRAWBERRY TRANSPLANTS FROM RIO GRANDE DO SUL AND IMPORTED

Obtaining high yields in strawberry crop requires the use of transplants with high sanitary and physiological quality. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the origin of strawberry transplants on quality, carbohydrate content and subsequent development and field production. Treatments covered four transplant origins: Argentina, Chile, Chui (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) and Sao Francisco de Paula (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) and two cultivars (Camarosa and Camino Real) in experimental design of randomized blocks with four replicates, conducted between April and December 2010. Carbohydrate content in crown and roots was evaluated, as well as the growth and development of transplants and plant yield. Regardless of cultivar and origin of transplants, crown diameter values exceeding 8 mm were considered the minimum standard internationally established. Transplants propagated in Chui showed 100% mortality 20 days after planting, while losses were not recorded in Argentina and Chile transplants. Camarosa transplants from Chile showed the highest content of total soluble sugars in reserve organs, while higher starch content was obtained in Argentinean transplants. The high carbohydrate content in reserve organs in Argentina and Chile transplants led to greater fruit production.