Strawberry Fertilizers & Crop Guide

While strawberries are a perennial plant, commercial plots are typically grown as an annual crop. Their growth and yield are significantly influenced by cultivation strategies, including planting date, plant density, irrigation, and fertilization. Due to their shallow root system, strawberries require a continuous and careful supply of water and nutrients throughout their growth cycle.

Strawberry Nutrition - Important highlights

Salinity
Strawberry plants are highly sensitive to salinity, particularly during establishment. Salt sensitivity varies between cultivars. For successful strawberry cultivation, it’s essential to use fertilizers with a low salt index that are free of chloride and sodium.

Nitrogen 
Proper nitrogen management is crucial for quality yields. The correct rates and forms must be applied to balance vegetative growth and fruit production. Avoid ammonium nitrogen in warm weather to ensure optimal fruit firmness and prolonged shelf life. 

Potassium
Potassium (K) is essential for photosynthesis, sugar transport, and enzyme activation, resulting in sweeter, larger berries. It also strengthens plant cell walls, enhancing fruit firmness and shelf life. Maintain a soil solution K:Mg ratio of 4:1 to prevent potassium from competing with magnesium for root uptake.

Calcium
Adequate calcium availability is vital for plant health and fruit quality, particularly during periods of low transpiration. 

Phosphorus
Continuous-production cultivars require a consistent supply of phosphorus to support ongoing flowering and root renewal.

Silicon
Integrated into cell walls, silicon is highly beneficial for improving shelf life and enhancing resilience to abiotic stresses.

	Establishment Balanced NPK supply is required at this stage. Root formation requires relatively high P levels. Addition of humic acids improves nutrient availability.
	Vegetative growth Regulate nitrogen application to balance between vegetative growth and reproductive processes. Silicon enrichment enhances fruit resilience and health.
	Flowering and fruit setting (1st to last flush) Phosphorus is required to support energy-consuming processes. High rates of potassium and addition of calcium and silicon improve various fruit quality parameters.

Haifa Solutions for Strawberry nutrition

^{Note: the recommendations brough here should be considered as general guidelines. The actual program should consider the plant status and growth conditions. Consult Haifa agronomist to suit the optimal nutritional program for your blueberry crop.}    

¹ Recommended during cold periods; ² recommended during hot periods