Effects of Paclobutrazol, Boric Acid and Zinc Sulfate on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Strawberry cv. Selva

Excessive vegetative growth may bring about improper pollination and consequently lead to reduced fruit set and misshapen fruits. Paclobutrazol (PP333) reduces vegetative growth. On the other hand, balanced nutrient uptake at all developmental stages increases fruit quality and yield. An experiment was conducted with the aim of reducing vegetative growth and improving yield of strawberry, Selva cultivar, using combinations of PP333, boron and zinc. Results indicated that PP333 reduced vegetative growth by reducing both fresh and dry weights of shoots while simultaneously some such reproductive characters as inflorescence and fruit number were increased. Boron (H3BO3) alone had no effect on reproductive growth. A combination of PP333 plus B (100- 00 mg l(-1)) was the most effective in increasing fruit number as well as fruit weight. Paclobutrazol combined with zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) at concentrations of 100- 100 mg l(-1) PP333xZnSO(4) had positive effects on reproductive growth including inflorescence number and yield. Zink sulphate at concentration of 100 mg l(-1) with no PP333 and H3BO3 application increased yield, inflorescence and fruit number as compared with other treatments.