GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF STRAWBERRY INOCULATED WITH Glomus mosseae, SPRAY OF AG3, AND NPK FERTILIZATION

Abstract

In México, the production average of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is of 12.8 t ha-1 while in others countries is more than 20 t ha-1. Therefore, the present research considered the posibility to improve the mineral nutrition of the strawberry in order to promote the vegetative growth and bigger fruit production through the inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, spray of AG3 and NPK fertilization. Results showed better growth of the plants as far as greater height, stem diameter and number of leaves are concerned when Glomus mosseae was included in the treatments. The yield/plant (fruit weight/plant) was stimulated by the mycorrhizal fungi to 484.25 g compared to 220.25 g obtained with AG3, 393.25 g with N, 349.50 g with P and 343.25 g with K. Fruit number was highly correlated with yield (r = 0.88). Nitrogen fertilization increased significantly the percentage of root colonization and the number of spores. On the other side, P caused a supression, and K an increase of the mycorrhizal fungi development.