Reducing Sprinkler Irrigation Volumes for Strawberry Transplant Establishment in Florida

Abstract

<jats:p>Two field studies were conducted to determine whether foliar kaolin clay applications would reduce water volumes during the establishment of bare-root strawberry (<jats:italic>Fragaria</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>ananassa</jats:italic>) transplants. Transplant establishment treatments resulted from combinations of duration of sprinkler irrigation and foliar application of kaolin clay were: a) 4 days of sprinkler irrigation, b) 4 days of sprinkler irrigation plus kaolin clay on day 5, c) 6 days of sprinkler irrigation, d) 6 days of sprinkler irrigation plus kaolin clay on day 7, e) 8 days of sprinkler irrigation, f) 8 days of sprinkler irrigation plus kaolin clay on day 9, and g) 10 days of sprinkler irrigation (control). One day of sprinkler irrigation was defined as the application of 8 hours per day of irrigation to ensure plant establishment, using ≈6000 gal/acre per hour of water. Kaolin clay treatments were applied using a rate of 25 lb/acre and on the early morning of the following day after sprinkler irrigation was suspended. Treatments influenced the number of established plants and diameter at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting (WAT), leaf greenness at 8 WAT, and early and total fruit weight. There were no differences in the number of established plants among treatments that received 10 days of sprinkler irrigation (control), 8 days of sprinkler irrigation followed by kaolin clay on day 9, and 6 days of sprinkler irrigation followed by kaolin clay on day 7, ranged between 97% and 98% plant survival. The highest strawberry early and total fruit weights (3.6 and 15.7 tons/acre, respectively) occurred in plots transplanted with either 6 days of sprinkler irrigation plus kaolin clay on day 7, 8 days of sprinkler irrigation plus kaolin clay on day 9, or 10 days of sprinkler irrigation. These data indicated that the addition to kaolin clay after 6 or 8 days of sprinkler irrigation improved strawberry establishment, growth, and yields to the same levels as the control treatment, while saving at least 20% of the water volume needed for establishment.</jats:p>

Particle film technology: A supplemental tool to save water

“…Kaolin's potential as an antitranspirant may be exploited to reduce water stress of seedlings during establishment stages, especially when they are bare-root. This has been shown in the strawberry where kaolin, in addition to promoting plant establishment, also reduced its water needs by 30% at that delicate phenological stage (Santos et al, 2012).…”

“…In this case, kaolin acts as an antitranspirant (Angbabu et al, 2007;El-Khawaga, 2013), improves plant water status, and mitigates the leaf temperature increase, thus protecting the plants from water stress. In the case of the four vegetables studied, use of kaolin cannot be recommended in conditions of good water availability, as stated by Santos et al (2012), who report an improvement in plant establishment in kaolin-sprayed strawberry plants, and revealed a 30% reduction in water requirements during plant establishment.…”

Diagnóstico del sistema de siembra en invernadero: Casa de malla- laterales abatibles del tomate chonto (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) en el municipio de Restrepo – Valle del Cauca

“…La mayor área de cultivos protegidos en invernaderos y macrotúneles corresponde a Asia con 440000 (Ha), seguido de Mediterráneo (97.000 Ha), África y Medio Este (17000 Ha En esta tabla se excluye a los países del mediterráneo. Fuente (Santos et al, 2010).…”

Planting Dates and Transplant Establishment Methods on Early-yield Strawberry in West-central Florida

“…Previous studies reported that the application of kaolin clay reduced evapotranspiration rate and fruit temperature by 2 to 5°C in apple and pomegranate (Glenn et al, 2002;Melgarejo et al, 2004;Wand et al, 2006). Santos et al (2012b) reported 98% plant survival and no reduction in early yield in strawberry plants when kaolin clay was applied during establishment after 6 DSI for early October planting. Given the warmer maximum air temperatures of September compared with October ( Fig.…”

“…An alternative to sprinkler irrigation for plant establishment is the application of crop protectants after transplant (Santos et al, 2012b applied on top of the plant canopy. These materials act as reflective barriers to decrease ultraviolet and infrared radiation, therefore reducing heat stress on plants (Glenn and Puterka, 2005;Glenn et al, 2002Glenn et al, , 2003.…”