Reasons for and Solutions to Broken Cropping in the Second Strawberry Harvest
Strawberries face many pests and diseases during their growing period. Only by managing pests and diseases well according to different stages can they keep flowering and fruiting; otherwise, with few flowers and few fruits, broken cropping becomes quite common. After the first harvest, the second flush has very few flowers, and some plants have no fruit at all. What causes this? Let's take a look together.
I. Reasons for Broken Cropping in the Second Harvest
1. Improper flower and fruit thinning
Reasonable flower and fruit thinning can reduce nutrient consumption and promote plant growth. If excess flowers and fruits are not removed in time, it will affect strawberry growth, cause premature plant decline, and in severe cases lead to broken cropping.
2. Neglecting root system care
Many growers focus on fruit, leaf and disease management, but often neglect the care of the soil and root system. Soil compaction, acidification and salinization all cause difficulty in root respiration and weaken the roots' ability to absorb fertilizer and water. Strawberries have a long harvest period, and the root system ages severely, which is the main reason for premature decline and broken cropping.
3. Improper leaf removal
During the flowering and fruiting period, leaves should not be removed excessively; this should be decided according to plant vigor and leaf growth. When the plant is growing normally, leaf function is sound, and its aeration requirements are met, leaves should not be removed. However, seedlings that frequently have old leaves removed grow vigorously, while seedlings that do not have old leaves removed actually bloom more and do not break cropping, so leaf removal should be increased to stimulate flower bud differentiation.
4. Covering the greenhouse too early
Strawberry flower bud differentiation is mainly induced by low temperatures. If the greenhouse is covered too early, the temperature inside the greenhouse being higher than 10 degrees for a long time will be unfavorable to flower bud differentiation, and when it exceeds 25 degrees, flower bud differentiation cannot occur regardless of photoperiod.
5. Insufficient fertilizer and water supply
After picking the fruit, many growers feel that the strawberries lack nutrients and apply too much nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer, causing excessive vegetative growth. Vegetative growth inhibits reproductive growth, and excessive vegetative growth will affect flower bud differentiation, resulting in broken cropping.
II. Solutions
1. Reasonable flower and fruit thinning
According to plant growth conditions, carry out reasonable flower and fruit thinning. Generally, keep 5-8 fruits per inflorescence. The number of fruits retained should also be considered comprehensively according to strawberry variety, planting density, soil fertility and other factors.
2. Root care
After entering the flowering and fruiting period, in order to ensure a well-developed root system, soil conditioning and root care and protection should be carried out. Promptly apply potassium fulvate and Milegen amino acid water-soluble fertilizer by drenching to loosen the soil, enhance soil aeration, alleviate soil compaction and salinization, promote roots to grow downward, promote flowers and fruits, and increase yield.
3. Reasonable leaf removal
Strawberry leaves are constantly renewed throughout the year. When leaves begin to turn yellow and the base of the petiole also begins to change color, it indicates that the leaves have lost photosynthetic capacity, and they should be removed in time. In addition, overwintering old leaves often harbor pathogens and should be removed promptly after new leaves grow.
4. Strengthen fertilizer and water management
Strawberries are continuous-flowering crops. Some plants are still swelling fruit, some are still flowering, and some are in the flower bud differentiation stage. After strawberries are harvested, the plants have consumed too many nutrients and their own nutrient supply is insufficient, so reasonable balanced fertilization is key at this time.
The above is an introduction to the reasons for and solutions to broken cropping in the second strawberry harvest. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.