Yield of iron‐sprayed and non‐sprayed strawberry cultivars grown on high pH calcareous soil

Abstract

Iron deficiency chlorosis (Fe‐DC) results in an extensive reduction in the fruit yield of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) grown on high pH calcareous soils. Three cultivars, differing in their response to Fe‐DC, were grown on a high pH (8.2) calcareous soil (15.4% calcium carbonate equivalent in surface 20 cm) in the field (Choueifat, coastal area of Lebanon) to determine what effect Fe‐DC had on fruit yield when the foliage was sprayed with Fe [FeEDDHA, Ferric ethylenediiminobis (2‐hydroxyphenyl) acetate], Unsprayed plants were used as the control. No significant interaction (p<0.05) between cultivar x Fe spray treatment was obtained, and no significant difference (p<0.05) between one and two Fe spray(s)/week treatments were noted for visual Fe‐DC rating, fruit numbers, and fruit yield. Cultivars sprayed once/week produced higher yields than unsprayed controls. Overall increases were 33% (13% for ‘Motto’, 30% for ‘Chandler’, and 56% for Douglas'). Even though only slight Fe‐DC was noted on the ‘Motto’ cultivar receiving no Fe spray, fruit yields were increased when plants were sprayed with Fe. However, significant increases in yield for the ‘Chandler’ and ‘Douglas’ cultivars with severe Fe‐DC ratings were obtained when they were sprayed with Fe.