Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) growth and yield are under genetic control and regulated by environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod. The major objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature under short-day treatment on plant development and flowering in the ever-bearing strawberry cv. Florentina in the greenhouse. Plants from the strawberry cv. Florentina were subjected to three temperature treatments 20°C, 25°C and 30°C under short-day conditions. Flowering was enhanced at low temperature of 20°C. The highest number of fruits occurred at 20°C and the lowest at 30°C. The largest fruit size was obtained from plants at 20°C while there was no significant difference between 25°C and 30°C. Vegetative growth was enhanced under high temperatures. At intermediate temperature 25°C, plants achieved the highest height while at 30°C they had the highest number of leaves. There was no significant difference in fresh and dry weight between 25°C and 30°C but significantly higher than at 20°C. Few runners were produced under 25°C and 30°C but none at 20°C. Growing Florentina at 20°C was better with respect to yield than the other temperature treatments tested in this study.