John R. Duval

Effect of Prohexidione-Ca and Mepiquat Chloride on Stolon Production and Yield of Florida Grown Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch)

Abstract Removal of stolons from strawberry plants in Floridas annual winter production system incurs significant costs to growers. Mepiquat chloride (Ponnax®) and prohexidione-calcium (Apogee®) were evaluated for the ability to reduce stolon production of strawberries grown under annual production techniques. Two rates of mepiquat chloride (170.6 and 273.5 g ai/ha) and two rates of prohexidione-calcium (113.8 and 227.6 g ai/ha) were applied three times at two week intervals beginning 4 weeks after establishment. Significant control of stolon production was achieved with both rates of prohexidione-calcium compared to mepiquat chloride and untreated controls. However, significant reductions in yields were associated with prohexidione-calcium. Application of mepiquat chloride at 273.5 g ai/ha increased fruit yield during the month of January above all other treatments.