Monitoring nitrogen status of organically-grown strawberry cultivars by using chlorophyll meter reading

In this study utilization of chlorophyll (CHL) meter to monitor nitrogen (N) status of five organically grown strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) cultivars including Sweet Charlie, Redlans Hope, Kabarla, Festival and Camarosa was investigated during 2003-2004 growing season. Leaf CHL was measured by using SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter. There was significant correlation (r = +0.434) between leaf N and CHL reading regardless of cultivar. Also there were significant differences in leaf N and CHL content among cultivars. Kabarla, Camarosa and R. Hope cultivars had the highest leaf N, followed by Festival and Sweet Charlie. The highest CHL reading value was recorded in Kabarla and R. Hope cultivars, followed by Festival, Sweet Charlie and Camarosa. The leaf N status of the cultivars used this experiment can be estimated using the regression equations belong to each cultivar. Therefore we recommend that standard value for CHL reading value should be determined for each cultivar before using CHL reading value for sound nitrogen management. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information