The effect of different levels of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer on some characteristics of strawberry plants (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. selva)

In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer on growth of strawberry plants, present study was conducted in the Mazandaran province in 2010. Experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress treatments (30, 50 and 70% Maximum allowable depletion of moistur (MAD)) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 100 and 150 Mg per Kg dry soil) were allocated to main and sub-plots, respectively. The results showed that the effect of of different levels of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer were significant on sam indices as, number and length of stolons, number and leaf area, fresh and dry weight of root, length and total yield of plant, fresh and dry weight of plant, diameter and fruit weight under drought stress. In all indices, the highest averages were obtained in treatment of 30% MAD and 100 mg nitrogen. The highest fruit yield was obtained in treatment of 30% MAD and 100 mg nitrogen fertilizer with 9.17 and 8.15 gr, respectively. In intraction of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer the highest fruit yield with 9.69 gr was obtained by 30% MAD and 100mg nitrogen fertilizer. Minimum fruit yield with 35% reduction was related to 70% MAD and without the use of nitrogen fertilizer.