Effect of Temperature and Photoperiod Preconditioning on Flowering and Yield Performance of Three Everbearing Strawberry Cultivars

Environmental control of flowering in everbearing strawberry is well known, while the optimal commercial raising conditions for high and continuous yield remains unsettled. We exposed freshly rooted plants of cultivars Altess, Favori and Murano to 9 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 21 degrees C and 27 degrees C, respectively, at two photoperiods for 4 weeks, and assessed flowering and yield performance. Long days at 15-21 degrees C enhanced flowering, while short days (SD), particularly at 27 degrees C, decreased flowering. Runner formation was enhanced by SD, being inversely related to flowering. Yields the next season were highest in plants exposed to 15-21 degrees C, whereas the seasonal harvest distribution varied. In concurrence with earlier reports, the size of the first fruit flush determined the magnitude of the second flush and the length of the off period when little fruit was produced. The large first fruiting flushes of plants exposed to 21 and 27 degrees C gave particularly long off periods and small second flushes. Moderate first flushes of plants from intermediate temperatures also resulted in a more evenly distributed harvest and the largest yields. Developing flowers and fruits are strong sinks for photosynthates; therefore, the size of the first fruit flush must be compromised to optimize fruit yield and seasonal crop distribution.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of different photoperiods and temperatures on everbearing strawberries. It was found that long days at 15-21 degrees C increased flowering, while short days at 27 degrees C reduced flowering. The size of the first fruit flush had a significant impact on the yield and off period. Plants grown at 15-21 degrees C had the highest yields, but the harvest distribution varied.