Foliar application of Biol on two varieties of strawberry (Fragariasp.) in a vertical system and temperate environment

Abstract

The extreme climatic conditions of the highlands, characterized by high radiation, severe frosts, and an average temperature of 6.5 °C, severely limit strawberry production. Added to this is the reduction of arable land due to urban pressure, which requires technological alternatives such as temperate environments and vertical systems that, due to their intensity, demand sustainable and low-cost nutritional inputs. The objective of the research is to evaluate the effect of two levels of foliar application of biol on the growth and yield of two strawberry varieties (Fragariasp.) in a vertical system and controlled environment. The study was conducted in El Alto, Bolivia (3840 m s.n.m.) between 2022 and 2023. 216 seedlings of the Albion and Monterrey varieties were used in a vertical pyramid system. Using a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement, doses of biol at 0%, 15%, and 25% applied weekly were evaluated. The 25% biol dose obtained the highest plant height (22.23 cm) and number of leaves (3.94). The Monterrey variety showed greater precocity (64.31 days to flowering) and higher yield (419.11 g/plant) compared to Albion. Although the 15% and 25% doses significantly outperformed the control, there were no statistical differences between them in terms of final yield. The Monterrey variety is the most suitable for production under these conditions. Biol is an effective organic alternative, with the 15% dose being the most efficient for optimizing yield without excessive applications.