EFFECTS OF BRASSINOSTEROID ON VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH IN 2DAY-NEUTRAL STRAWBERRIES

The effects of brassinosteroid on growth parameters of two day-neutral strawberries (Fragaria xananassa Duch. 'Miyoshi' and 'Enrai') grown i n a greenhouse were investigated, In both cultivars, brassinosteroid i ncreased total leaf areas by 150-180% and the number of leaves, petiol e length, and number of crowns by 110-140% over the untreated control plants. Runner formation was unaffected by the brassinosteroid. Dry we ights of leaves, petioles, crowns, and total organs of plants treated with brassinosteroid mere heavier than those of untreated plants, wher eas the dry weights of roots from treated plants were equally heavy as those of the control. Brassinosteroid significantly increased the tot al number of flowers and number of inflorescences per plant, but not t he number of flowers per inflorescence. Brassinosteroid significantly increased total marketable berries and total yield per plant in 'Miyos hi', but it did not increase yields of 'Enrai'.