Survival and development of strawberry plants on various substrates at the stage of adaptation

At the stage of adaptation during micro clonal propagation of garden strawberries, the substrate plays an important role, acting as a medium for the root system and ensuring balanced growth and development of the entire plant. The research was conducted at the Scientific and Production Center for Fruit and Berry nursery of Stavropol State Agrarian University at the conveyor breeding of strawberries. The experience was two–factorial: factor A - strawberry variety, factor B – substrate. The effectiveness of the substrate at the stage of adaptation of garden strawberries was studied on Albion, Aprica and Clery varieties. Peat was chosen as the main substrate, the properties of which were improved by mixing with perlite, vermiculite and rice husk. The addition of additional components to peat has improved the survival rate and all indicators of growth and development of the root system and the aboveground part of strawberries. When using a mixture of peat with perlite and vermiculite or rice husk in the Experimental substrate, an increase in the percentage of survival of strawberry plants by 5.9-7.5% on average relative to the control was revealed. Depending on the substrate, the height of the rosette of plants increased relative to the control by 1.0-2.1 cm on average according to the experiment, the number of leaves and whiskers increased by 0.5-1.3 and 0.8-1.6 pieces, respectively. The experimental substrate (peat + rice husk + mineral fertilizer), having the advantages of better water and air permeability and a set of nutrients, provided maximum values for all the noted indicators of the root system and rosette of strawberries. The varietal characteristics of strawberries ensured the greatest root growth and survival in the Albion variety, while the height of plants and the size of the leaf apparatus in the Clery variety.