1. Timely Soil Loosening and Weed Control: In some areas where strawberries are cultivated, weed growth and soil compaction in the seedbed are common issues. Additionally, improper land preparation during mother plant cultivation, such as rough tillage, results in uneven seedbeds, hindering the rooting and growth of strawberry seedlings. Therefore, timely weeding, soil loosening, and seedbed leveling are essential. Manual weed removal is recommended over the use of herbicides.
2. Plant Maintenance: First, remove flower stems and fruit branches from the mother plants to reduce nutrient consumption and eliminate old, diseased, and excess leaves, reducing the source of infection and improving ventilation and light penetration. Generally, leaving 4-6 functional leaves per plant is sufficient. Second, properly manage runners. During the vigorous growth period of runners, timely and uniform management is necessary. For mother plants in the middle, arrange runners radially, while for those planted on the side of the ridge, arrange runners unidirectionally. Additionally, timely soil covering and pressing on rooting nodes promote the development of adventitious roots, facilitating early rooting and the formation of strong seedlings.
3. Fertilization and Irrigation Management: During the vigorous growth period of strawberry runners, it is essential to keep the ridges moist to facilitate seedling rooting. In periods of high temperature and drought during seedling growth, shading and drought resistance measures should be taken. Shade nets are ideal for shading, and timely furrow irrigation with shallow water accumulation at the bottom of the furrows maintains moisture on the ridges, preventing water overflow. After the rainy season, attention should be paid to drainage to prevent root rot and seedling death. In case of waterlogging, spraying 800 times dilution of carbendazim can prevent sudden disease outbreaks. Apply foliar fertilizer frequently during the vigorous growth period of stems and runners, watering with 0.3% quick-acting compound fertilizer every 15-20 days. Alternatively, foliar spraying with 1000 times dilution of urea or plant growth regulator can be used.
4. Disease and Pest Control: Common diseases and pests in strawberry seedbeds include anthracnose, leaf spot, aphids, mites, and underground pests. Seedbed inspection and timely prevention and control measures are necessary.
In summary, to ensure the quantity and quality of strawberry seedlings, it is essential to adapt these strategies according to specific conditions and focus on current field management practices.
