Horticultural Science and Technology 원예과학기술지 ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online)

This research was conducted to evaluate the influence of root restriction materials and media on the growth of runner plantlets of ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry in a nursery field. To achieve this, the influence of three kinds of root media on the growth of runner plantlets was monitored when polyethylene film was used as the root restriction material. In addition, the influence of various root restriction materials (RRS) such as transparent polyethylene film (PE), non-woven fabric (NF), perforated polyethylene film (PP), and root proofing sheet (RPS) on the changes in volumetric water content (VWC) and temperature of root media as well as growth of runner plantlet were investigated when expanded rice hull (ERH) was used as the root medium. In the comparison of root media, growth parameters such as leaf area and crown thickness at 20 d after fixation as well as crown thickness and fresh weights of root and above-ground tissue at 40 d after runner plantlet fixation were higher in the ERH treatment than in sandy loam and loamy sand. When the influence of RRS was compared, the VWC of ERH was 55% just after irrigation, but decreased to 26% at just before irrigation. Ranges of the VWC as influenced by irrigation cycle were 16 to 10% in the PP and less than 10% in the NF and RPS. The soil temperature in the PE treatment was around 1°C lower than in NF, PP, and RPS. The differences between day and night temperatures were also smaller in the PE treatment rather than those in NF, PP, and RPS. The growths of runner plantlet 50 d after fixation showed that plant heights as well as fresh weights of root and above-ground tissue were higher in the PE treatment than in NF, PP, and RPS. NF and PP did not effectively restrict roots inside the medium and the roots of runner plantlets penetrated through the root restriction materials resulting in the formation of root system below the restriction materials. The above results indicate that ERH is more effective than sandy loam or loamy sand as root medium. PE rather than NF, PP, or RPS as root restriction material resulted in better growth of runner plantlets in propagation of ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry. The results of this research will be used for production of high quality runner plantlets in strawberry propagation.