The effectiveness of flow-through substrateless hydroponics in the adaptation of strawberry microplants

Abstract

A new approach to the adaptation of test-tube strawberry microplants under flow-through hydroponics conditions was tested. The study was carried out on strawberry cultivars “Asia”, “Florence”, “Kimberly”. Murashige-Skoog medium was used for in vitro cultivation. During propagation, 1.0 mg•L-1 6-BAP was added to the medium, during elongation - 0.05 mg•L-1 6-BAP, and during rooting - 1.0 mg•L-1 IBA. Plants were grown in vitro in a light room at a temperature of 23±1°C, a 16-hour photoperiod and a light intensity of 5-6 klx. Flow hydroponics was used to adapt microplants. Plastic containers with dimensions of 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.04 m (volume 9 l), specially prepared for working in a hydroponic system, were taken. They were covered on top with non-woven polymer material, perforated with planting holes with a diameter of 3-4 mm according to a 4 x 4 cm pattern (150 pcs/box), into which plants were planted. This reduced labor costs for adaptation and ensured the efficiency of the operation to 86- 100% within 1 month.