The effect of the frequency of fertigation and foliar application of potassium sulfate on some vegetative, reproductive, physiological characteristics and nutrient elements of strawberry cv. Paros in soilless culture system

In soilless culture, lack of correct management in fertigation causes stress in plants due to restricted root volume and low water holding capacity of substrate. The present study aimed to assess managing the fertigation practice and foliar application of potassium sulfate in soilless culture of strawberry cv. paros. A factorial experiment was conducted with two factors including fertigation frequency at three levels (1, 4 and 10 times per day) and foliar application with potassium sulfate at three levels of concentration (0 as control, 1 and 2 g/L). The experiment was carried out based on a complete randomized design with three replications in Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan. Results indicated that increasing the fertigation frequency up to four times a day led to a significant increase in dry weight of shoot and root, number of fruits, concentration of chlorophyll a and b, leaf relative water content and leaf Ca and Mg content. The highest values of leaf area, fruit weight, number of inflorescence as well as potassium and iron content of leaf and root were obtained by 10 times of fertigation per day. Potassium sulfate foliar application with concentration of 1 g/L had the most effect on leaf area as well as shoot, root and fruit dry weight, vegetation index increased in plants treated with 2 g/L potassium sulfate compared with those without any foliar application treatment. The highest content of leaf soluble carbohydrates belonged to the plants treated with once-a-day fertigation and foliar application of 2 g/L potassium sulfate.