Method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties

Abstract

The method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties comprises the following steps: • transplanting raspberry seedlings into pots filled with a peat or coconut-based substrate; • placing the pots in a greenhouse or tunnel under a plastic film with diffused light; • nourishing the seedlings with a first aqueous fertigation solution during the vegetative phase between transplanting and fruit set, where the first aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.80 mS / cm and 2.75 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6 and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo; • Nourishing the seedlings with a second aqueous fertigation solution during the reproductive phase between Suit set and the end of fruit harvest, where the second aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.45 mS / cm and 1.80 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6, and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo; • Where the concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution is lower than the concentration of NO3 in the first aqueous fertigation solution; • And where the concentration of Mg in the second aqueous fertigation solution is at least double the concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

Description

[0001] METHOD OF SOILLESS PRODUCTION OF UNIFLOROUS OR REMONTANT

[0002] RASPBERRY VARIETIES

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a method of soilless cultivation of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties.

[0005] As is well known, the raspberry is a particularly delicate small fruit that requires considerable care and attention during cultivation and harvesting.

[0006] In particular, the cultivation technique can affect both the yield of the harvest and the quality of the product obtained.

[0007] One of the major problems encountered in raspberry cultivation is the rapid perishability of the fruit after harvesting.

[0008] To maintain high Suit quality, the product must be distributed, sold, and consumed as soon as possible.

[0009] The cultivation technique adopted is specific to each variety and depends on professional experience and the qualitative / quantitative composition of the fertigation solutions used during the various stages of cultivation and the environmental conditions in which the cultivation itself is carried out.

[0010] Improvement of the cultivation technique can result in the production of fruits that are more resistant to atmospheric agents and parasites, more durable, larger, and more homogeneous in shape, size, and color, thereby reducing the percentage of unmarketable or low-quality fruit.

[0011] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties that eliminates the technical drawbacks of the known technique. Within this technical task, an objective of the invention is to provide a method of soilless production of a uniflorous or remontant raspberry variety that can improve harvest yield and the quality of the product obtained.

[0012] The technical task, as well as these and other objectives, according to the present invention, are achieved by providing a method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties, comprising the following steps:

[0013] • transplanting raspberry seedlings into pots filled with peat or coconut;

[0014] • placing the pots in a greenhouse or tunnel under a plastic film with diffused light;

[0015] • nourishing the seedlings with a first aqueous fertigation solution during the vegetative phase between said transplanting and Suit set, where the first aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.80 mS / cm and 2.75 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6 and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo;

[0016] • nourishing the seedlings with a second aqueous fertigation solution during the reproductive phase between said fruit set and the end of fruit harvest, where the second aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.45 mS / cm and 1.80 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6, and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo;

[0017] • where the concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution is lower than the concentration of NO3 in the first aqueous fertigation solution;

[0018] • and where the concentration of Mg in the second aqueous fertigation solution is at least double the concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

[0019] Other characteristics of the present invention are further defined in the subsequent claims. Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the following description of an embodiment of the method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to the invention. As mentioned, the method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties includes a phase of transplanting the seedlings into pots filled with a peat or coconut-based substrate.

[0020] The pots are placed in a greenhouse or tunnel under a plastic film with diffused light. The plastic film with diffused light has a light diffusion capacity of not less than 50%.

[0021] During the vegetative phase between transplanting and Suit set, the seedlings are nourished with a first aqueous fertigation solution produced with specific chemical-physical characteristics.

[0022] Specifically, the first aqueous fertigation solution is produced with an electrical conductivity between 1.80 mS / cm and 2.75 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6. Moreover, the first aqueous fertigation solution includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo.

[0023] Then, during the reproductive phase between fruit set and the end of Suit harvest, the seedlings are nourished with a second aqueous fertigation solution also produced with specific chemicalphysical characteristics.

[0024] Specifically, the second aqueous fertigation solution is produced with an electrical conductivity between 1.45 mS / cm and 1.80 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6. Moreover, the second aqueous fertigation solution, like the first aqueous fertigation solution, includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo;

[0025] The concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution is lower than the concentration of NO3 in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

[0026] Advantageously, the concentration of Mg in the second aqueous fertigation solution is at least double the concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution. Specifically, the concentration of Mg in the second aqueous fertigation solution is exactly double the concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution. The concentration of K in the second aqueous fertigation solution is higher than the concentration of K in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

[0027] Preferably, in the second aqueous fertigation solution, K and Mg are present in a 1 : 1 concentration ratio.

[0028] Even more preferably, in the second aqueous fertigation solution, K, Ca, and Mg are present in a 1:1:1 concentration ratio.

[0029] Advantageously, the nourishment of the seedlings with both the first and the second aqueous fertigation solution is provided when the water content in the pots falls below a threshold level of 90% of the pots' maximum water retention capacity.

[0030] The following concentration values of elements in the aqueous fertigation solutions were found to be particularly useful.

[0031] The molar concentration of NO3 in the first aqueous fertigation solution is between 9.0 mmol and 11.0 mmol.

[0032] The molar concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution is between 5.4 mmol and 6.6 mmol.

[0033] The molar concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution is between 1.8 mmol and 2.2 mmol.

[0034] The concentration of K in the second aqueous fertigation solution is higher than the concentration of K in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

[0035] More precisely, the molar concentration of K in the first aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 2.7 mmol to 3.3 mmol, and the molar concentration of K in the second aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 3.6 mmol to 4.4 mmol.

[0036] The concentration of H2PO4, SO4, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo in the second aqueous fertigation solution is equal to the concentration of H2PO4, SO4, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo in the first aqueous fertigation solution. The concentration of H2PO4 ranges from 0.9 mmol to 1.1 mmol.

[0037] The concentration of SO4 ranges from 1.35 mmol to 1.65 mmol.

[0038] The concentration of Ca ranges from 3.6 mmol to 4.4 mmol.

[0039] The concentration of Fe ranges from 18 jimol to 22 mol. The concentration of Mn ranges from 18 [imol to 22 jimol.

[0040] The concentration of Zn ranges from 7.2 pmol to 8.8 pmol.

[0041] The concentration of B ranges from 10.8 pmol to 13.2 pmol.

[0042] The concentration of Cu ranges from 1.60 pmol to 1.90 pmol.

[0043] The concentration of Mo ranges from 0.70 pmol to 0.80 pmol. Below is an example of the composition of the first aqueous fertigation solution, produced with an electrical conductivity of 2.20 mS / cm and a pH of 5.6.

[0044] Below is an example of the composition of the second aqueous fertigation solution, produced with an electrical conductivity of 1.6 mS / cm and a pH of 5.6.

[0045] To optimize flower pollination and subsequent fruit set, it is preferable to place hives of pollinating insects in the greenhouse or tunnel.

[0046] During the flowering period, it is preferable to maintain the relative humidity in the greenhouse or tunnel at a value not exceeding 70%. To achieve this, air ventilation is provided in the greenhouse or tunnel during the flowering period.

[0047] Such ventilation can be achieved, for example, by opening special ventilation windows in the greenhouse or tunnel.

[0048] It has been found that the cultivation method according to the invention is particularly advantageous for its improved ability to produce high-quality raspberries that are durable and homogeneous in weight, shape, size, and color.

[0049] The soilless production method of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties conceived in this way is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties, comprising the following steps: o transplanting raspberry seedlings into pots filled with a peat or coconut-based substrate; o placing the pots in a greenhouse or tunnel under a plastic film with diffused light; o nourishing the seedlings with a first aqueous fertigation solution during the vegetative phase between said transplanting and Suit set, where the first aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.80 mS / cm and 2.75 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6 and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo;o nourishing the seedlings with a second aqueous fertigation solution during the reproductive phase between said Suit set and the end of fruit harvest, where the second aqueous fertigation solution provided has an electrical conductivity between 1.45 mS / cm and 1.80 mS / cm and a pH between 5.4 and 5.6, and includes at least the following elements: NO3, H2PO4, SO4, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo; o where the concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution is lower than the concentration of NO3 in the first aqueous fertigation solution; o and where the concentration of Mg in the second aqueous fertigation solution is at least double the concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

2. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the nourishment of the seedlings is performed when the water content of the pots falls below a threshold level of 90% of the maximum water retention capacity of the pots.

3. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the molar concentration of NO3 in the first aqueousfertigation solution ranges from 9.0 mmol to 11.0 mmol and the molar concentration of NO3 in the second aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 5.4 mmol to 6.6 mmol.

4. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the molar concentration of Mg in the first aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 1.8 mmol to 2.2 mmol.

5. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the concentration of K in the second aqueous fertigation solution is higher than the concentration of K in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

6. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the molar concentration of K in the first aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 2.7 mmol to 3.3 mmol and the molar concentration of K in the second aqueous fertigation solution ranges from 3.6 mmol to 4.4 mmol.

7. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the concentration of H2PO4, SO4, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo in the second aqueous fertigation solution is equal to the concentration of H2PO4, SO4, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo in the first aqueous fertigation solution.

8. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the concentration of H2PO4 ranges from 0.9 mmol to 1.1 mmol, the concentration of SO4 ranges from 1.35 mmol to 1.65 mmol, the concentration of Ca ranges from 3.6 mmol to 4.4 mmol, the concentration of Fe ranges from 18 pmol to 22 pmol, the concentration of Mn ranges from 18 pmol to 22 pmol, the concentration of Zn ranges from 7.2 pmol to 8.8 mol, the concentration of B ranges from 10.8 pmol to 13.2 pmol, the concentration of Cu ranges from 1.60 pmol to 1.90 pmol, and the concentration of Mo ranges from 0.70 mol to 0.80 pmol.

9. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that in the second aqueous fertigation solution K and Mg are present in a 1 : 1 concentration ratio.

10. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that in the second aqueous fertigation solution K, Ca, and Mg are present in a 1 : 1 : 1 concentration ratio.

11. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes a phase of activating air ventilation in the greenhouse or tunnel during the flowering period to maintain relative humidity at a value not exceeding 70% .

12. A method of soilless production of uniflorous or remontant raspberry varieties according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the plastic film with diffused light has a light diffusion capacity of not less than 50%.

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