Strawberry Growth and Flowering: An Architectural Model

Strawberry is an herbaceous perennial that can be easily propagated by stolons or by crown division. Seedlings have a few months in the juvenile period. The growth is determined with a terminal inflorescence as a modified stem or cyme. Flower induction is sensitive to thermo-photoperiod and to several agronomic and nutritional factors. The strawberry plant is highly adapted to diverse temperate climates and to production under forced artificial growing conditions. In the present study, a dynamic architectural model of growth is described and discussed in order to reveal strawberry development under different cultivation systems. The aim is to improve the cultural knowledge and understanding of the physiological control of axillary meristems, which can enhance the strawberry fruit production. (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.