Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of Banzyladenin and Gibberellin on increasing runner production and some vegetative traits of three strawberry cultivars in greenhouse. The experiments were carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with two factors (hormonal treatments and three strawberry cultivars). In the first year (2006), hormonal treatments had two levels (a combination of BA at 1200 ppm and GA in 300 ppm, and control). Three strawberry cultivars (Pajaro, Queen Eliza and Paros) were sprayed in May and July. In the second experiment (2007), hormonal treatments had five levels (1- Control (0 ppm), 2- BA 1200 ppm + GA 300 ppm sprayed in May, 3- BA 1200 ppm + GA 300 ppm sprayed in July, 4- BA 1200 ppm sprayed in May, 5- GA 300 ppm sprayed in May). Effects of hormonal treatments were not significant on any of the vegetative traits in the first year, but not the second year. Highest number of plantlets with a standard diameter of 6.15 mm was produced by applying the second treatment (mixture of BA 1200 ppm and GA 300 ppm sprayed in May) and it was chosen as the best treatment. However, highest number of runners in each mother plant and highest diameter of plantlets were observed in the control (0 ppm). Cultivars responded differently to hormones. Number of runners in Paros cultivar decreased dramatically with application of hormones, but it did not change in Queen Eliza cultivar.

Key words: Hormone, daughter plant, plantlet, crown, strawberry.