Characteristics of fertilizer uptake and biodistribution in strawberry plants in two Japanese cultivars in hydroponic culture

ABSTRACT

The fertilizer absorption characteristics of strawberries are not clear, although appropriate fertilization is definitely necessary to ensure produce quality and quantity. This study aimed to determine the amounts of macro- and micronutrients absorbed during cultivation of strawberries and their biodistribution and utilization in the plant body. We cultivated Japanese strawberries ‘Benihoppe’ and ‘Kirapika’ in small hydroponic equipment containing a nutrient solution and determined the amounts of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, and Mo absorbed during and at the end of cultivation. The results revealed the adsorption levels of these elements during the cultivation period. The nutrient concentrations varied greatly among plant organs. In particular, P and B accumulated at high levels in the leaves and stem, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu accumulated in the crown, and N, Fe, and Mo accumulated in the roots. In addition, the uptake levels of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu differed between Benihoppe and Kirapika. Our results provide useful information for determining fertilizer application rates in strawberry cultivation.

KEY WORDS:

• Strawberry
• nutrient solution
• biodistribution
• Benihoppe
• Kirapika

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Masahiro Saito of Shizuoka Prefectural Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry for considerable help in this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest or relationship, financial or otherwise.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.