Mitigating salinity in strawberries with calcium and boron

Strawberries are very sensitive to salinity. All irrigation water contains dissolved mineral salts. Calcium can help mitigating salinity effects. Boron improves calcium distribution in new tissues.

Calcium and Salinity

Where salinity is an issue, use of calcium can help to mitigate these effects. In trials, adding extra Ca in a saline situation helps to reduce cellular breakdown and leakage and improve growth and yield. Calcium nitrate or calcium sulfate forms are effective and trials show that they can be applied through fertigation or foliar sprays to help reduce salinity stress.

Boron

Boron applied with calcium often improves yield and quality. It has been shown in other crops e.g. tomatoes, that adding boron to calcium applications will improve Ca distribution in new tissues in the plant.

 

Recommended Yara fertilisers for strawberries

YaraTera CALCINIT
15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Fully water soluble nitrogen and calcium fertiliser which is a free flowing and dissolves quickly in water without any residues so is suitable for application through all fertigation systems.
YaraTera KRISTALON SCARLET
7.5-12-36 + 4.5% MgO 10% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertiliser for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
YaraTera KRISTALON RED
12-12-36 + 1% MgO 2.5% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertiliser for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
YaraTera KRISTALON LILAC LB
20-8-8 + 2% MgO 25% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertiliser for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS
YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS 13.7% N 46.3% P2O5 - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertiliser. It is a free flowing fine crystalline powder which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
YaraTera KRISTA MAG
YaraTera KRISTA MAG - 11% N 16% MgO - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertiliser. It is a free flowing pellet which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
YaraTera REXOLIN Q15
A high performance EDDHA chelate containing 7% iron with 1.5% of the iron as the ortho-ortho isomer.
YaraMila GROWER
15-3.9-16.6 + 3.8% S + 1.1% Mg - Compound field grade NPK fertiliser based on 35% SOP and 65% MOP for use on a wide range of horticultural crops.
YaraVita BORTRAC 150
A liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing 150 g/l boron for foliar application to provide additional boron or to treat boron deficiencies in a wide range of crops.
YaraVita SENIPHOS
A liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing high concentrations of phosphate and calcium for foliar application to improve yield and quality in fruit and potatoes.
YaraVita STOPIT
A liquid fertiliser containing 160 g/l calcium for foliar application to control and reduce calcium-related disorders in top fruit and other crops.
YaraVita MAGFLO 300
A flowable liquid fertiliser containing 300 g/l magnesium for foliar application to cereals and potatoes or treat magnesium deficiency in a wide range of crops.
See all fertilisers choices

Related articles

How to increase strawberry fruit numbers

How to increase strawberry fruit numbers

Balanced nutrition is needed to ensure high fruit numbers however potassium, boron and zinc are particularly important to ensure good flower initiation and fruit set.
How to influence strawberry quality

How to influence strawberry quality

Balanced crop nutrition is needed to achieve good quality strawberries but potassium, calcium and boron have particularly important roles in maintaining quality.
How to improve strawberry fruit quality

How to improve strawberry fruit quality

Potassium is particularly important in terms of berry quality improving berry appearance and ensuring a good taste to the fruit.
How to extend strawberry shelf life

How to extend strawberry shelf life

Strawberries are highly susceptible to bruising and post-harvest decay. Calcium helps improve fruit firmness, prolongs keeping quality and extends shelf life.
Analysis - magnesium deficiency on strawberry
Analysis - recommended analysis suites for fruit
Fruit analysis suites includes various tissue and soil analyses as well as analysis of fruit/fruitlets, compost, water and nutrient solution.

See all strawberry crop nutrition articles

Fruit agronomy advice

Concerned about hail damage to apples and pears
Concerned about hail damage to apples and pears
Apples and pears are both susceptible to hale damage in late spring with the potential for both fruits and leaves to be damaged. Whilst crop nutrition cant control the weather it can help mitigate some of the effects and help damaged crops recover.
How to recover frost damaged fruit crops
How to recover frost damaged fruit crops
Where fruit crops, particularly apples, pears and grapevines have suffered frost damage we need to think about how to best manage the crop buds which are left to both recover the damaged buds and then to recover the lost growth.
How to manage blueberry fertigation
How to manage higher temperatures in strawberries
Higher temperatures bring both good and bad news for strawberry growers. The good news is increased production and demand for strawberries but the downside is managing heat stress and other challenges. Controlling the crop through these tricky periods can be made easier by utilising foliar feeds.
Is there a better alternative to monopotassium phosphate
Is there a better alternative to monopotassium phosphate
Monopotassium phosphate, otherwise known as MKP is a product synonymous with fruit production that is widely used, primarily as a flower boosting green fruit supporter. However, at this point in time, MKP is sometimes difficult to get hold of, so many growers are asking if there is a better alternative.
How to manage blueberry fertigation
How to manage blueberry fertigation
Blueberry nutrition and fertigation is very much a consequence of the rooting system and pH range. Blueberries are more acid-loving than most soft fruits and also have a less efficient root system which has consequences for fertigation recommendations.
Late season advice for soft fruit crops
Late season advice for soft fruit crops
As the soft fruit production season nears an end with final harvests underway it is important to keep a focus on nutrition to avoid carrying any issues over to next season so here are a few recomendations for strawberry and raspberry growers to ensure crops go in to dormancy in good condition.
All fruit agronomy advice

Looking for even more information ...

If you would like more information and would like to speak to one of our fruit specialists or area managers please find all their contact details here

Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist

 

 

Where can I buy Yara fertiliser ...

If you would like to find your nearest Yara supplier or merchant simply use this searchable map with all their contact details here.

Where can I buy Yara fertilisers >