Effect of plant size and salinity on the growth and fruiting of glasshouse strawberry

SummaryChanges in growth and fruiting responses of strawberry cv. Rapella according to plant size (12, 26, 35 and 60 leaves per plant) and salinity (2.6, 5.8 and 8.9 mS cm–1) were evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Rates of leaf, crown and infloresccnce initiation were faster in the smaller plants but plant size had no effect on the reduction in vegetative growth and inflorescence initiation caused by salinity. Reductions in fruit number were observed only when plants with 60 leaves were exposed to the highest level of salinity (8.9 mS cm–1). Fruit fresh and dry weights from the 2.6 and 5.5 mS cm–1 treatments differed only when plants with more than 35 leaves were used. Total fruit fresh and dry weights were reduced by salinity treatment at 8.9 mS cm–1 in all but the smallest plants. The proportions of Grade ‘Extra’ and Grade I fruits were reduced as salinity and plant size increased.