No abstract

Plants may undergo partial defoliation due to natural or accidental factors. The present study presents the results of an experiment to determine the effects of partial defoliation on the growth of strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. 'Chandler') in Tunja, Colombia. Three defoliation levels were applied to plants after transplanting: 38% defoliation, 67% defoliation, and a control without defoliation. Water uptake, dry matter distribution among different plant organs, leaf area, and total dry weight were measured. Using this information it was possible to calculate leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR), absolute and relative growth rates, and water use efficiency. All variables evaluated showed reduced values as a result of defoliation, which indicates that strawberry plants are sensitive to defoliation levels above 38% and show severely compromised growth as a result.