The Physiological Response of Strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) to Different Types of Organic and Chemical Fertilizer

Abstract

Two separate experiments were carried out on sandy clay loam soil during fall season at Mu’tah University, Agricultural Research Station, Rabba in the southern part of Jordan. These studies aims to evaluate the effect of organic manure and chemical fertilizers on growth, yield, quality and nutrients uptake of strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch.). Treatments in experiment were assigned randomly in randomize complete block design with split-split-plot arrangement.

The results revealed that plots treated with combination of organic manure and chemical fertilizers levels tended to increase yield of strawberry, fruits number and leaf area of strawberry were increased in response to organic manure and chemical fertilizers application.

Different manure and chemical fertilizer levels combinations were significantly increased strawberry vegetative growth, but not dry weight, which was found to be increased significantly by chemical fertilizer levels only.

Vitamin C and TSS% content were higher in strawberry received organic manure compared with the chemical fertilizers as well as control treatments. Macro- and micro-nutrients uptake by strawberry (fruit and leaves) were higher in plots treated with the combination of manure and chemical fertilizers levels compared with each of them individually.

Strawberry plant were severely injured or killed after transplanting due to adding high rates of chicken manure (40, 60 and 80 ton/ha). In strawberry soil received different fertilizers combination had no significant effect on macronutrients (N, P and K) content.