The Effect of Spraying the Mothers of the Strawberry Festival with Cycocel, Bud Location, and Cooling, and Their Interactions on Growth and Productivity
Résumé
A three-factor factorial experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center (Citrus Department in Tartous, Syria) during 2023-2024 seasons. Among the strawberry cultivars, the Festival cultiva, the most widespread in the coastal regions of Syria, was used in a complete randomized block design according to the split-plot arrangement. The primary factor was Cycocel concentration (0, 250, 500, 750ppm), the first split factor was the bud Bud Location on the stump (no degree, 0, first degree, second degree), and the second factor was the cooling period (0, one week, two weeks, three weeks). Each treatment contained three replicates, each containing 15 plants spaced (25 x 40) cm apart, with a distance between furrows of 60 cm. The ptimary objective of this research aim was to determine the optimal concentration of Cycocel to be applied. The results revealed significant differences in the effects of each of the Cycocel hormone spray concentrations, the number of weeks of exposure to Cooling, and the Bud Location (first and second). For the early flowering and ripening traits of the Festival cultivar, second-order budding, no Cooling, and concentration (without spraying) were superior individually. Meanwhile, the triple interaction of C3 (750 ppm), first-order budding (N1), and Cooling for 3 weeks was superior. For most of the studied traits, first-order budding, Cooling for 3 weeks, and C2 (500 ppm) were superior individually and when combined with the studied factors, on the traits of fruit weight, length of production period, and plant productivity. Early flowering, ripening, and increased productivity in strawberry cultivars can be achieved with foliar, spray with C2 and C3 (500-750 ppm), a cooling period for three weeks, and by ensuring first-degree budding.