BENZYLADENINE AND GIBBERELLIC-ACID INCREASE RUNNER PRODUCTION IN DAYNEUTRAL STRAWBERRIES

In greenhouse and field studies, benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellic ac id (GA(3)) applied together as a foliar spray increased runner product ion in dayneutral strawberries (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) but not when applied separately. Runner production increased linearly with increas ed BA concentration to 1800 mg . L(-1). At high dosages, GA(3)-treated plants produced elongated internodes that, in the field, led to fever daughter plants,In Florida, daughter plants derived from plants spray ed with the grown th regulators increased yield by up to 10% in fruiti ng experiments. To induce runnering in the field and greenhouse, a tre atment with BA at 1200 mg . L(-1) and GA(3) at 300 mg . L(-1) is recom mended. Chemical names used: N-(phenylmethyl)-1H-purine-6-amine (benzy ladenine); gibberellic acid A(3); gibberellic acids A(4) and A(7).