Nitrogen rates in strawberry (fragaria ananasa) nursery on growth and yield in the field

Strawberry (Fragariaananassa cv. Aliso) plants were grown under three N-rates in the nursery: 80, 320 and 640 kg N/ha, and then transplanted to the fruiting field. Plants from each nursery treatment were given 150, 300 and 450 kg N/ha. The fertilizer was given as ammonium sulfate in the nursery and as ammonium nitrate in the field, a part broadcasted before planting and the other part applied as top dressings. Biomass production, plantlets size distribution and N content were restricted by the lowest level of N given in the nursery. Plants grown at 320 kg N/ha in the nursery gave significantly earlier and higher total yields than those grown at the other rates. Fruit yields were not significantly influenced by the N-application in the field. N fertilization in the early stages of strawberry plant development in the nursery is more important than later field application.