Root zone aeration improves growth and yields of coir-cultured strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) during summer.

摘要

Plant roots require oxygen for respiration, and strawberry is classified as a plant with high oxygen demand root. A rise of root zone temperature in summer season has two negative effects. It decreases dissolved oxygen of root surface and solution around roots, and it increases the respiration of the root. As the result, oxygen deficiency of root and the delay of plant growth may occur. It is reported that root zone cooling is effective on the growth and yields of strawberry during the high temperature period, because it increases dissolved oxygen and restrain breathing. In this study, we investigated the effect of root zone aeration treatment on the growth and yields of coir-cultured strawberry in summer season compared with the effect of root zone cooling treatment. Marketable fruit yields were increased both the root zone cooling treatment and the root zone aeration treatment, 290 g/plant for root zone cooling treatment, 322 g/plant for root zone aeration treatment, 225 g/plant for control. It is thought that root zone aeration treatment causes the increase of dissolved oxygen of root surface and solution around root. It also appears to promote gas exchange in the medium. These results indicate that root zone aeration treatment is useful for strawberry production in summer season.