Growing strawberries crop nutrition advice

The Significance of Strawberries

Strawberries hold a significant position in the agricultural landscape of the United Kingdom, esteemed for their delicious flavour, nutritional richness, and contribution to healthy eating habits. As a nutrient-dense fruit crop, strawberries play a vital role in promoting human health and well-being. They offer a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a valuable addition to diverse culinary dishes and dietary regimes. Additionally, strawberries’ adaptability and relatively quick growth make them an ideal choice for sustainable farming practices, contributing to both environmental and nutritional sustainability.

Strawberry Cultivation in the UK

The UK cultivates a substantial area of land dedicated to strawberry farming, with numerous hectares under cultivation annually. This extensive cultivation underscores the importance of strawberries in meeting the demands of various sectors, including fresh produce markets, food processing companies, and the health food industry. Strawberries’ popularity as a versatile and nutritious fruit ensures a reliable supply chain for the agricultural industry, catering to the diverse needs of consumers across the UK.

What are the Nutrient Requirements of a Strawberries?

Strawberry crops have specific nutrient requirements, primarily needing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for optimal growth and yield. Nitrogen is crucial for promoting vigorous growth, enhancing fruit production, and ensuring overall plant health. Phosphorus supports root development, flowering, and fruit set, while potassium contributes to disease resistance, stress tolerance, and fruit quality.

What are the roles of nutrients in Strawberries?

Nutrients play vital roles in the growth and development of strawberry plants, contributing to overall plant health, fruit quality, and yield. Here are the key roles of nutrients in strawberries:

• Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is essential for promoting vigorous vegetative growth, including leaf and stem development. Adequate nitrogen levels encourage the production of healthy foliage, which is crucial for photosynthesis and carbohydrate production.
• Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is necessary for root development, flower formation, and fruit set in strawberry plants. It plays a crucial role in energy transfer processes, including ATP synthesis, which is vital for various metabolic activities within the plant.
• Potassium (K): Potassium is involved in numerous physiological processes in strawberries, including water uptake, nutrient transport, and enzyme activation. It contributes to overall plant vigor, stress tolerance, and disease resistance, while also promoting fruit quality and flavor.
• Calcium (Ca): Calcium is essential for cell wall formation and structural integrity in strawberry plants. Adequate calcium levels help prevent disorders such as blossom-end rot and contribute to fruit firmness and shelf life.
• Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is a component of chlorophyll, essential for photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in strawberry plants. It also plays a role in enzyme activation and nutrient uptake, contributing to overall plant health and productivity.
• Sulphur (S): Sulphur is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, and vitamins in strawberry plants. It contributes to plant growth and development, while also playing a role in defence mechanisms against pests and diseases.
• Micronutrients: Micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron are essential for various biochemical processes in strawberries, including enzyme activation, hormone regulation, and antioxidant defence mechanisms. Deficiencies in micronutrients can impair plant growth and lead to reduced fruit quality and yield.

What are the Common Deficiencies & Issues Found in a Strawberry Crop?

When cultivating strawberries, several common nutrient deficiencies and issues may arise, impacting plant health and yield potential. Nitrogen deficiency may result in pale green leaves, reduced fruit size, and overall stunted growth. Phosphorus deficiency can manifest as delayed flowering, poor fruit development, and weak root systems. Potassium deficiency may cause poor fruit quality, increased susceptibility to diseases, and overall plant weakness. Additionally, strawberries are susceptible to pests such as aphids and diseases like powdery mildew, which can affect fruit quality and yield. Implementing proper soil fertility management practices and disease prevention strategies is essential for mitigating these issues and ensuring healthy strawberry crop growth.

How Can I Spot Nutrient Deficiencies in a Strawberry Crop?

Detecting nutrient deficiencies in strawberry crops requires careful observation of plant symptoms and understanding their underlying causes. Regular scouting of strawberry fields, coupled with soil testing and nutrient monitoring, aids in early detection and intervention. Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency include pale green leaves and reduced vigour, while phosphorus deficiency may lead to delayed flowering and poor fruit development. Potassium deficiency presents as weak stems, poor fruit quality, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Pests and diseases such as aphids and powdery mildew can also be identified through visual inspection of plants. Prompt intervention with appropriate corrective measures helps mitigate deficiencies and ensure optimal strawberry crop health and productivity.

What are the fertilisation methods of Strawberries?

Fertigation drip irrigation in open fields and protected management 

As drip irrigation is so common with this crop, fertilization is generally done by fertigation, using fully-soluble fertilisers, adapting the N-P-K-Ca-Mg ratios according to the crop’s needs at every growth stage. 

In soil the needs of the Strawberry must be covered by: 

1. Elements naturally present in irrigation water
2. Elements already present in the soil
3. Additional fertiliser inputs to the soil
4. Additional Fertiliser intake by drip

Strawberry needs = Soil input ( stock or mineralisation for example) + Water elements + Fertilisers put on the soil + supplements during cultivation ( soluble fertilisers)

Foliar feeding  

This is a common practice in fertilising strawberries, by tank-mixing the fertilisers with crop-protection products. Foliar feeding boosts plant development, strengthening the plants against abiotic factors (e.g. drought, heat, cold soils), and against biotic factors (e.g. nematodes, pests and diseases), and to correct mineral deficiencies.     

Soilless management in glasshouses 

Strawberries responds very well to intensive nutrition regime under controlled, protected environment, as done with exceptional success in Holland. 

Specific nutrition formulae have been adapted to growth on soilless. 

It is difficult to give fertilisation advice above ground, indeed for precise fertilization advice, a water analysis is mandatory as well as the needs of the variety. 

In soilless the needs of the strawberry must be covered by : 

• Elements naturally present in the irrigation water 
• Additional fertiliser intake by drip 

Strawberry Needs = Water elements + Supplements during cultivation (soluble fertilisers)

Water analysis is essential to make fertilisation advice.