A review of time of planting in strawberry: yields are higher with early to intermediate plantings

Abstract

Time of planting affects the productivity of crops. A review was conducted to determine the effect of time of planting on the performance of strawberry plants in warm locations (n = 42 experiments). Additional information was collated on the relationship between yield, temperature and the size of the nursery plants and their carbohydrates. There were linear (n = 23) or quadratic relationships (n = 7) between yield and the time of planting. In the linear relationships,
yields decreased as planting was delayed. In the quadratic relationships, optimum yields occurred with an intermediate planting, with lower yields with an earlier or a later planting. There was a quadratic relationship between yield and the time of planting when the first planting was in early September in the Northern Hemisphere or in early March in the Southern Hemisphere. Low yields with early plantings were associated with small plants, few stored reserves and inadequate temperatures in the nursery. Low yields with later plantings were associated with a short production season. Research is required to determine if earlier plantings are required in subtropical areas to reduce the impacts of global warming. The relationship between yield and temperatures in the nurseries needs to be explored further.