Strawberries & Other Berries
Developing a nutrition plan for the production of strawberries, as well as other berries (this includes blueberries, raspberries and other cane berries, and cranberries) is essential to maximize yield, quality, and overall profits to the grower. Berry crops are typically high value crops that require intensive investment to produce economical yields. Delivering the proper nutrient needs at the right crop growth stages will lead to healthy plants that will produce quality fruit.
Generally, most berries prefer slightly acidic soils. In the case of blueberries, a pH of 4.0 to 5.5 is ideal. For most other berries, a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 is preferable. Thiosulfate fertilizers are a perfect fit for fertilization of berry crops because they not only provide essential mineral nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and sulfur), but also generate acidity in the soil that helps to maintain slightly acidic conditions. Berries also tend to be sensitive to chlorides, so fertilizers containing chloride should be avoided. Often, berry crops are irrigated using drip irrigation. Because of this, liquid fertilizers are particularly effective for use in fertigation to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots.
Producers are often rewarded for larger, sweeter, and firmer berries. Our product portfolio addresses your crop nutrition needs by providing immediately available nutrients to the roots.
Here are some recommendations for using our products in your operation:
Calcium
Ensuring berry plants have enough calcium is critical to optimizing yield and quality. Strawberries especially can exhibit leaf tip burn and overall stunted growth when calcium is deficient. Additionally, calcium is often referred to as the "storage nutrient.” It plays a crucial role in cell wall strength, which is the first line of defense against various physiological conditions. Adequate calcium has been shown to decrease bruising during transport and increase the overall shelf life of berries. The highly soluble calcium in CaTs® ensures calcium is available when the plant needs it most. The liquid formulation allows for easy and convenient application through irrigation systems. CaTs can be applied throughout the growing season, targeting key growth stages such as bloom and early berry formation. It can also be applied with nitrogen fertilizers (including UAN, urea solutions, AN-20) to provide calcium and sulfur along with essential nitrogen.
Potassium
Proper potassium nutrition directly impacts the quantity and size of harvested berries. Potassium helps to increase berry size, raise sugar content (Brix), and influences fruit coloration. Potassium is also important in mitigating drought stress and aids in reducing pest and disease pressure. In berry plants, most of the potassium tends to accumulate in the fruit, so applications should be made throughout the growing season. KTS® and K-Row 23® can help achieve better marketable yields in berry production. The thiosulfate-sulfur in KTS can help lower pH, which is especially important for crops like blueberries that thrive in acidic soils. K-Row 23 allows for higher application rates and more flexibility to tailor potassium applications to meet crop demand without acidifying the soil. If acidification is desired, K-Row 23 can be blended with Thio-Sul and water.
Nitrogen
Providing the right amount of nitrogen nutrition is a delicate balance. Too little nitrogen could result in poor plant growth, while too much could cause excessive foliar growth and poorly colored fruit. Proper nitrogen nutrition ensures nutrients are efficiently used by the plant. N-Sure® offers extended nitrogen availability to a developing crop over a longer period compared to other nitrogen sources. When applied to the soil, N-Sure releases plant-available nitrogen over 8 to 10 weeks. When applied as a foliar spray, N-Sure acts as a humectant, keeping the leaf surface moist and allowing for direct uptake into the leaf tissue. N-Sure and Thio-Sul® are particularly effective nitrogen fertilizers in blueberry production, as all the nitrogen is or will become ammonium nitrogen (which is preferred by blueberry plants).
Sulfur
Sulfur is often referred to as the fourth major nutrient due to its undeniable importance in proper plant function. Adequate sulfur levels are crucial for a profitable crop. Sulfur works synergistically with nitrogen, as both nutrients play roles in protein synthesis, formation of amino acids, and photosynthesis functionality. Thio-Sul, KTS, CaTs, and K-Row 23 all provide essential sulfur, along with additional nutrition to ensure your berries thrive. Thiosulfate sulfur provides the additional benefit of generating soil acidity to help maintain acidic conditions, especially important in blueberry production.
Start Strawberry Fields with Cleaner Soil
Soil-borne pests can limit strawberry establishment, reduce plant vigor, and impact yield potential long before symptoms are visible above ground. Pathogens such as Pythium spp., along with competitive weed populations, can create challenges throughout the production cycle by competing for resources and affecting stand uniformity. Because these pests often build up over time, pre-plant soil preparation plays an important role in supporting successful strawberry production. Effective soil treatment programs can help reduce disease and weed pressure before planting, creating a healthier environment for roots and supporting strong crop establishment.
Sectagon® soil fumigants can be applied prior to planting to help suppress key soil-borne pathogens and weeds in strawberry production systems. By reducing pest pressure before crop establishment, Sectagon helps create a more favorable growing environment for developing plants. Field research has demonstrated strong control of Pythium spp. and broad weed suppression, supporting pre-plant management programs designed to maximize field productivity and yield potential.
Proven Performance
In North Carolina State University strawberry trials, Sectagon® provided up to 100% control of Pythium spp. and more than 90% control of key weed species, helping growers start the season with cleaner soil and reduced pest pressure.
Learn moreImprove Strawberry Transplant Establishment
Successful strawberry establishment begins with minimizing transplant stress during the critical period immediately following planting. Young transplants are often exposed to intense sunlight and elevated temperature before roots are fully established. These conditions can increase water stress, slow establishment, and impact early-season plant vigor.
Surround helps protect strawberry transplants during establishment by forming a protective particle film on the leaf surface. The kaolin-based formulation reflects infrared and ultraviolet radiation, helping reduce plant surface temperatures and mitigate heat stress. By creating a cooler plant environment, Surround supports transplant establishment and helps plants transition more successfully into the field.
Well suited for:
- Fall strawberry transplant establishment
- Production systems using drip irrigation
- Periods of elevated temperatures and intense solar radiation
- Operations seeking to reduce establishment stress on young plants
Research-Proven Water Savings
University of Florida/IFAS research demonstrated that applying kaolin clay during transplant establishment maintained comparable plant establishment, canopy diameter, and early fruit weight to a traditional 10-day sprinkler irrigation program. Researchers also observed up to a 40% reduction in establishment irrigation volume, highlighting the potential for significant water savings without compromising early crop performance.
Learn moreRecommended Blogs
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Additional Learning
Check out our library of content geared towards teaching the best crop nutrition practices to growers around the world.
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