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Title: EFFECT OF FALL FLOATING ROW COVERS ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND YIELD OF JUNE-BEARING STRAWBERRY

Author
item Hester, Emily
item DEITZER, GERRY - U.MD, NRSL
item SWARTZ, HARRY - U.MD, NRSL
item DEMCHAK, KATHY - PENN STATE
item Black, Brent

Submitted to: American Chemical Society North Eastern Regional Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/28/2004
Publication Date: 1/4/2005
Citation: Hester, E.C., Deitzer, G., Swartz, H., Demchak, K., Black, B.L. 2005. Effect of fall floating row covers on photosynthesis and yield of june-bearing strawberry. American Chemical Society North Eastern Regional Meeting. Pg. 8

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In temperate climates, strawberries maintain their leaves throughout the winter. Floating row covers (FRCs) are often used to promote continued growth in late fall. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of two different FRC treatments (1.0 and 2.0 oz. thicknesses) on photosynthetic capacity, measured as the rate of net photosynthesis (Pn) at saturating light (1500 'mol/m2/s), and on subsequent yield. Plantings were established at the Wye Research and Education Center during the fall and early winter of 2003 and 2004. A LI-COR 6400 Infra-Red Gas Analyzer was used to measure Pn and a Campbell CR7 datalogger was used to collect meteorological data. Light transmission through the lighter rowcover was reduced by about 40%. In 2003, there was a 75% overall drop in photosynthetic capacity between November and December. There was some recovery of Pn capacity in February, but not to November levels. There was no significant cultivar by FRC treatment interaction in winter photosynthetic capacity, but light row cover treatment generally had the highest photosynthetic capacity. There were significantly higher yields for 'Allstar' and 'Camarosa' plants than for 'Chandler' plants. Early planting dates resulted in the highest yields. Among later planting dates, the 1.0 oz row cover treatment also had the highest yields. Results of photosynthesis measurements from the 2004 study have shown similar treatment effects to that of 2003.