Response of strawberry fruit yield to plant population density

Abstract

The yield and profitability of the strawberry cultivars Torrey and Naratoga were compared for two seasons at planting densities ranging from single row beds at 35 000 plants ha-1 to three row beds at 172 000 plants ha-1 Production per plant at the highest density was reduced by approximately 50% and the percentage of culled fruit was greater. Production per hectare of marketable fruit at high density was up to 56% greater than traditional commercial densities of 57 000 plants ha-1. Naratoga out-yielded Torrey in most cases and had fewer culled fruit. In both cultivars leaf area was markedly reduced at high densities but the effect on average berry size was minimal. Profitability was maximized at 172 000 plants ha-1 followed by 87 000 plants ha-1. Naratoga was more profitable than Torrey and all single row treatments showed a net loss.