Aplication of animal origin biostimulators
in strawberry production
Igor Bogunovica, Boris Duralijab
aDepartment
of general Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, corresponding
author: [email protected]
bDepartment of Pomology, Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
ABSTRACT
Biostimulators usage today growing permanently in crop production. Usage of animal origin biostimulators, specifically porcine blood, had positive effect on plant growing and
thermal stress. During vegetation period in year 2011 different varieties of strawberries were included in experiment: Asia, Alba and Clery. In three treatments (0.5 g, 1,0 g and 1.5 g
per plant + control treatment) we studied the effects of biostimulator peptone on strawberry yield and pomological characteristics. All substances were applied in root zone
separately in total 4 different treatments during vegetation and have been compared with the control. Experiment set up in ecological conditions of continental Croatia in open places
in plots in two rows covered with a white mulch and drip irrigation system placed under the mulch. The aim of this study was that in terms of environmental conditions northwestern
Croatia explore importantly pomological characteristics of studied varieties under the influence of biostimulators, wishing that in these new plantations be represented by the
manufacturer best varieties. This paper presents the results of research of peptone influence on: duration of maturity, plant yield, average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant
caused by influence of biostimulant.
Keywords: strawberry, cultivars, biostimulant, cropping potential, pomological fruit properties
g
Introduction
600
In the last decade, a great number of products known as biostimulants have appeared on
the market for application to crops (Boehme et al. 2005). Biostimulants usage has been
increasing and their using is becoming a common practice in the sustainable agriculture,
because their aplication reduce fertilizers and other chemical compound application in
agriculture. It is known that biological stimulators improving plant resistance to termal
stress conditions (Polo et al., 2006), reducting salt stress (Böhme, 1999), and have effect
on against fungal and bacterial diseases (Krebs et al., 1998). Many of these materials are
natural product without chemichals or planth growth regulators, and according to
Crouch and Van Staden (1992) can be classifield into three major groups on the basis of
their source and content: humic substances, hormone containing products and aminoacid containing product. Our interest is focused on biostimulant containing amino-acid
known as Pepton 85/16, based on animal origin (porcine blood). In this paper we studied
we studied the effects of biostimulator peptone on strawberry yield and pomological
characteristics.
500
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
b
400
a
300
200
100
0
Check treatment
0.5 g per plant
1 g per plant
Alba
Clery
1.5 g per plant
Asia
Figure 2. Yield of three strawberry cultivars as result of application of
biostimulator peptone
35
30
Material and Methods
25
Studies were conducted in year 2011 at the commercial strawberry production fields of
firm Fragaria d.d. located in Kupinecki Kraljevec near Zagreb (45°69' N, 15°87' E).
Cultivation followed good farming practices and the plants were watered through
fertirigation each day. Experiment was conducted on open field in two-rows on raised
banks, under white polyethylene mulch. The orientation of rows was following the
aspect in the N-S direction. The strawberry plant spacing was 0.3 m between rows and
0.3 m apart between plants in the row. Fertilization and plant protection conducted
utilization of regional recommendations. Strawberry plants cv. 'Asia', 'Alba', Clery' were
planted in 2010. On each variety was followed 160 plants. Treatment groups composed
by 40 plants on each variety in different peptone formulation (0.5 g, 1.0 g and 1.5 g per
plant + control treatment) applied in the root zone. Treatment was performed in four
occasions in vegetation period. Fruit weight (g) measured and compared to control
treatment using digital scales (Velleman VTBAL22). The fruits are harvested at the
optimum time of harvest. Maturity time determined by visual observation and recorded
by dates. Yield potential is determined by counting and calculation. Observed data were
subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS Institute 9.1.3 and mean values
were separated by Fisher’s LSD test at P ≤ 0.05.
20
a
a
a
a
a
a
ab
b
a
a
a
a
15
10
5
0
Alba
Clery
Check treatment
0.5 g per plant
Asia
1 g per plant
1.5 g per plant
Figure 3. Number of fruits per strawberry plant as result of application of
biostimulator peptone
g
25
a
a
a
a
20
a
a
a
a
a
b
b
15
c
10
5
0
Results
Alba
Clery
Check treatment
Asia
1 g per plant
1.5 g per plant
Figure 4. Average strawberry fruit weight as result of application of
biostimulator peptone
Table 1. Strawberry duration of maturity in 2011.
Conclusions
Duration of maturity
Variety
Beginning of
maturity
End of
maturity
Duration
(days)
Asia
18.05.
18.06.
30
Alba
21.05.
23.06.
32
Clery
19.05.
28.06.
39
g
Results shows that cv. Asia had earliest beginning of maturity (18.05.), while the latest
was cv. Alba (21.05.). Longest maturation time had Clery (39 days) and the shortest Asia
(30 days). Peptone formulation does not have significant influence on the number of
fruits per plant on cv. Alba and Asia, while the increased biostimulators application
significantly increases the number of fruits per plant on cv. Clery. Alba and Asia
varieties shows significantly higher plant yield in treatment of 0.5 g per plant. Increasing
biostimulators concentration had no statistical significant differences in plant yield in
any variety. Results shows a decrease in plant yield with increased concentrations of
aplied biostimulator. Significantly the largest fruit weight in all treatment had variety
Asia, while increased doses biostimulators significantly reduced fruit size in cv. Clery.
References
600
500
0.5 g per plant
a
a
a
a
a
a
400
a
a
a
a
a
a
300
200
100
0
Alba
Clery
Check treatment
0.5 g per plant
Asia
1 g per plant
1.5 g per plant
Figure 1. Effect of different application of biostimulator peptone on
yield of three strawberry cultivars
Boehme, M., Schevtschenko, J., Pinker, I. (2005) Effect of biostimulators on growth of vegetables in hydroponical systems.
Acta Horticulturae, 697:337-344.
Böhme, M. (1999) Effects of lactate, humate and Bacillus subtilis on the growth of tomato plants in hydroponic systems. Acta
Horticulturae, 481:231-240.
Crouch, I.J., Van Staden, J. (1992) Effect of seaweed concentrate on the establishment and yield of greenhouse tomato plants.
Journal of Applied Phycology, 4(4):291-296
Krebs, B., Höding, B., Kübart, S., Workie, M. A., Junge, H., Schmiedeknecht, G., Hevesi, M. (1998). Use of Bacillus subtilis as
biocontrol agent. I. Activities and characterization of Bacillus subtilis strains. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenkrankheiten und
Pflanzenschutz, 105(2):181-197.
Polo, J., Barroso, R., Ródenas, J., Azcón-Bieto, J., Cáceres, R., & Marfà, O. (2006) Porcine Hemoglobin Hydrolysate as a
Biostimulant for Lettuce Plants Subjected to Conditions of Thermal Stress. HortTechnology, 16(3):483-487.
Acknowledgements
This paper presents results of research program supported by the company Fragaria d.o.o.
2nd International Strawberry Congress 4-6.09.2013. Antwerpen, Belgium